#Iconfess is a song made with random confessions submitted to Juan by people around the world. A few weeks ago Juan Zelada asked people across Twitter and my Facebook page to submit confessions using the Hashtag #Iconfess with a view to writing a song from these ‘confessions’. There was no control over the content of these confessions and the final result is a mix of musical experiment, surreal songwriting and social network nonsense. Good fun really.
Some of the ‘confessions’ are funny, some heart-breaking and some just plain ridiculous, “life in 140 characters” as some would say. For example, Juan used “#Iconfess I want to be a superhero” sent from London by @Jezhughes together with “I’m a mess! #Iconfess my heart aches” which was tweeted by @kflita. These tweets along with many others form the lyrics to the song. A song that has been written entirely with other peoples words. It’s a fun, interesting and challenging songwriting concept continuing from my previous twitter experiment with #yoconfieso, but this time engaging with the audience from the start.
After three years immersed in the Liverpool music scene Juan moved to London in 2007.
Whilst he continued to write and take his songs out to the London acoustic scene, Juan began to work as session musician and playing in piano bars, restaurants and whatever he could hold on to….cruise ships even! in order make ends meet in a new and sometimes daunting city.
It was during this period, whilst touring as support for Amy Winehouse that he met his current band. In 2009 Juan released his first EP ” What do I know” and began gaining a reputation on the live circuit in London. Sell out shows followed both in London and his native Madrid.
Juan has gained extensive media attention in Spain, appearing on both national TV and radio, including a live studio appearance on Antenna 3.
Juan has spent the last few months locked away in the studio ( Abbey Road, Rockfield, Metropolis) recording his new EP ' Story of Stuff' which was released in August and an album set for release next year.