Placebo Anyway Blog : Interview with Jafi Marvel - "Placebo's music is enraged, visceral and at the same time very elegant."

Interview with Mr. Jafi Marvel by Susie Bosco for Placebo Anyway

Placebo Anyway meets Jafi Marvel / April 2017

Spanish pop-rock electronic artist Jafi Marvel met with us for an exclusive interview where we speak about his music projects and the Placebo World Tour 2017.

We would like to introduce to you Javi Marvel:

In his long musical career he has collaborated with very well-known Spanish groups like Niños del Brasil or Los Nervios, shared live stage with Fangoria (friends of our beloved Stef Olsdal), OBK, Glamour to Kill or VNV Nation.

We saw him playing at important Spanish venues such as Sala Heineken, El Sol (Madrid) or at important festivals like ‘Rock in Rio Electrónico' among others.

Jafi is a huge Placebo fan and will not miss the show in Logroño, where he currently lives.

Placebo celebrates their 20^th anniversary and during their World-Tour they will play 6 shows in Spain. *

Placebo Anyway: How did you feel when you heard about Placebo’s concert in Logroño?

Jafi Marvel: Yeah!! It was a big surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a concert here in Logroño of one of the bands that has inspired and influenced me the most. I have always had to go to other cities to enjoy bigger concerts like this one. So it made me really happy!

Placebo Anyway: What do you expect from the show? How would the perfect set list be in your opinion, for this concert?

Photo credits: ORN MRC Notimex March 2017

Jafi Marvel: I’m pretty sure it will be an amazing gig that I will never forget. It’s an anniversary tour, so we will listen to songs that will bring back lots of memories.

For me, any set list they choose is great; nevertheless, I have my preferred list of songs:

Teenage Angst, Nancy Boy, Pure Morning, Every You Every Me, Black-Eyed, Taste in Men, Special K, English Summer Rain, The Bitter End, Because I want you, Ashtray Heart… I think That If I keep going I will end up naming 99% of their songs (Laughing)

Placebo Anyway: Let us travel back in time to the 90’s. ¿Do you remember the first time you listened to Placebo?

Jafi Marvel: Of course! I was at my parents’ home in Zaragoza (Spain). I was watching a TV program about the band Mountain Bike and suddenly I heard 'Nancy Boy'. I turned the volume up and I listened mesmerized to the song.

The next day I spoke with some friends until I finally found out who was the band responsible for such kind of mesmerizing cool sound.

Placebo Anyway: There are many bands in the world, we whether you like it or not, Placebo are special, different, a band which leave a mark on us. What do you think is the reason for the band to have such an impact on people?

Jafi Marvel: I think it’s the personality of their sound. It’s enraged, visceral, and at the same time very elegant.

Placebo Anyway: Your followers are happy owners of your 4 solo albums:

‘Jafi Marvel’ (Satélite K, 2009), recorded in Berlin and produced by Luis Miguélez and Juan Tormento (Glamour to Kill, Dinarama, etc.)

‘Discordia’ (Satélite K, 2012), recorded in Madrid and produced by Big Toxic (Fangoria, La Fura del Baus, Dirty Princess, etc.)

‘Inevitable’ (Rock CD, 2014).

and ‘Maldito Insomnio’ ( Many Kisses Ltd. / Satélite K, 2015)

recorded in Zaragoza and produced by Luis Sancho en 12+1 Estudios

Complete discography and credits here.

Placebo Anyway: Do we find some Placebo influences or inspiration on all these albums?

Jafi Marvel: Without any doubt!! It might not be obvious, but it is there. The sound of Placebo’s guitars has always caught my attention and left a mark on me over these years.

For example, “Daño” (Hurt) a song on my third album “Inevitable”, even though, the synthesizers are very present, for me it’s a 100% Placebo.

Check out the Javi's videos.

Photo credits: Digital 21

Placebo Anyway: We all know that Stefan Olsdal is totally in love with Spain and their artists. Currently he supports young artists and is collaborating with Digital 21. ¿How would a possible collaboration with Placebo be? Would you like to work with the band, or with Stef and his electronic projects or even share the stage with them?

Jafi Marvel: Of course I would! Any of these options would be a kind of a luxury for me. Only imagine being on stage with Placebo!! Wow!! How could I say no to this!!

I follow Stef’s project with Miguel (Digital 21). Miguel, who’s a very good friend of mine, and a great musician and producer. He organizes lots of parties and events in Madrid too, and has counted on me in more than once occasion. It has been always a pleasure for me to collaborate with him.

Placebo Anyway: Another way of collaboration with Placebo would be a charity project. We know that in your concerts it plays a big part.

Jafi Marvel: Yes it does! I think we could do something. As you are with the microphone on the stage, it’s very easy to help and remind people that not everything in life is fun. For example, Aids is still a big problem nowadays and you don’t need a lot of effort to take precautions. It’s important to remind it every once in a while, because it seems that for the media it’s not an issue, not even for the sanitary system.

Placebo Anyway: Speaking about charity shows, our conversation reminded us of Placebo’s charity shows such as Angkor Wat (Bangkok 2008) which was focused on human traffic, or Leeds ( U.K 2015), where they supported CALM, or the In Aid of The Mercy Centre, Bangkok in Utrecht (Netherlands 2015). What kind of charity project would be your proposal for a collaboration with Brian and Stef?

Jafi Marvel: I’m quite sure there would be huge amount of possibilities: refugees, evictions…..

Placebo Anyway: We would like to say good bye with an invitation to your webpage, where we find your songs, videos, news and an online store.

http://jafimarvel.com

On your Facebook page we discovered another important detail about your music career.

www.facebook.com/jafimarvelmusic

Jafi Marvel: I suppose you mean my DJ sessions, that I’ve been doing recently. Ever since I’ve lived in Zaragoza I have loved djing at the pubs or venues I used to go. I enjoy encouraging people to dance, to have a great time and this, sometimes, is a big responsibility but I love it.

When I’m in the studio recording new songs, I stop my DJ projects around clubs and event venues all over Spain, and I have to remove the “I want to be on stage” vibe from my mind. It makes me feel better!

Placebo Anyway: Thank you very much for the interview. See you soon in Logroño and we count on you with a Placebo concert review!

Jafi Marvel: Thank you very much dear Placebo Anyway Team. If anyone of you and your Facebook followers want to come to Logroño. I’m here for you!!

Interview by Susie Bosco – Placebo Anyway / Supervisor , translation correction Diana E.T. Fogin