The artist brings together eleven life-affirming songs, releases “En brazos de otra,” and prepares for a new chapter with contemporary sounds and magic on stage.
By Susan Villa
Mikel Oteiza enters a new artistic chapter with Nunca es tarde, his first album released on vinyl and a project that sums up years of searching, perseverance, and excitement. A singer, songwriter, Spanish pop-rock guitarist, magician, and screenwriter, the artist from Arrasate-Mondragón has built a career marked by reinvention, always with the same intention: to move audiences through closeness and authenticity.
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His story began very early, when, at just 15 years old, he formed the group Arsenal with three friends. Other paths connected to entertainment would follow, especially magic and children's audiences, but music never ceased to be present. In 2016, he returned to the studio with “Carta desde el Cielo,” a ballad written as a tribute to a deceased friend, and from then on he began shaping a new chapter with songs such as “Estoy a tu lado,” “Parapapá,” and “Vuela.”
Nunca es tarde brings together eleven songs with a positive, joyful, and life-affirming spirit, and coincides with the release of the single “En brazos de otra,” a song that closes a major first stage of his musical journey. While celebrating this dream come true, Mikel is already working on new compositions and preparing an artistic evolution in which he wants to bring music and magic together on stage.
1. Your first steps in music began when you were just 15 years old, forming the group Arsenal. What memories do you have of that period, and what did it teach you that helped shape the artist you are today?
That was a very beautiful period, during which I learned with some friends what musical life was all about. We had fun and enjoyed ourselves a lot, until we went to sign with a major record label and, at that point, everything fell apart.
The Mikel of that time has a lot in common with the one today: he still has the same desire, the same strength, and the same dreams. I imagine that the Mikel of today would not be the same if he had not lived through everything that the other Mikel experienced.
2. For a time, you stepped away from music to dedicate yourself to magic and children's entertainment. How has that experience influenced the way you understand and experience music?
I have always liked being around young people and people much older than me, because I believe you can teach young people, and you can learn a lot from older people. That magical experience was very good for me, because with children I greatly enjoyed that joy, that innocence, and it was a very beautiful stage in my life.
3. Your album is titled Nunca es tarde. What personal meaning does that name have, and what message do you hope to convey to those who listen to the album?
I believe it is never too late to do whatever you want in life. It doesn't matter your age, gender, ethnicity, or financial situation: when someone wants something and sets out to accomplish it in life, they fight and move forward; they put embarrassment and fear aside. I believe you have to jump into the pool or jump from the moon to see what happens: jump; if there is water, swim, and if there isn't, then try to put your hands out. But I believe Nunca es tarde represents life. My songs are very positive, except for some ballads or more romantic songs. I believe “Vuela” is a song that many people, during difficult moments in their lives, have listened to and told me that, thanks to it, they managed to see things from another perspective.
4. What will audiences find when they listen to Nunca es tarde for the first time?
They will find a very positive, very fresh, very joyful album; an album for sharing good messages and growing as a person. And, above all, for finding Mikel Oteiza's enthusiasm and desire to keep moving forward.
5. The release coincides with the presentation of your new single, “En brazos de otra.” What can you tell us about this song, and what place does it occupy within this stage of your career?
“En brazos de otra” closes a stage that began somewhat crazily. A vinyl-format album is being closed; in fact, I have not released a CD. It is a song that is somewhat the opposite, like grandmother's advice: instead of crying when someone leaves you, follow her advice: “Don't worry, son; find yourself another one, she'll want to come back on her own.” That is a little bit what “En brazos de otra” is about, but without reproaches and without anything else. I believe we are all very valuable and that we shouldn't let ourselves sink. Life is very hard sometimes, but it is also very beautiful, and we have to keep moving forward.
6. The songs on this album convey optimism and messages of overcoming adversity. Do you believe that music can also help people during difficult times?
Very much so. I believe music is an instrument that serves every purpose: for happiness, for sadness, for dancing, for dreaming, and even for sleeping. There is music for every state of mind. I believe this album, as I mentioned before, is very optimistic; it is a very positive album that reflects my way of composing and of conveying to people what I carry inside.
7. After fulfilling the dream of releasing your first album on vinyl, what projects and goals would you like to achieve in the coming months, both in the studio and on stage?
At this moment, we are working on the composition of our second album. We have closed one stage and are opening another that we hope will be just as good as, or better than, the previous one.
We are there, putting new ideas and new compositions into the blender and already making our cocktail to create some wonderful songs.
As for concerts, we will finish the ones we have scheduled, and looking ahead to September, we would like to be able to focus on the album and start performing concerts on major stages. In addition, as the magician that I am, I want to add a few touches of magic to the live shows, which will not go unnoticed. Hopefully, all of this will come true and you will be able to see the super show that, at this moment, exists only in my head.
With Nunca es tarde, Mikel Oteiza is not only presenting an album, but also a declaration of principles: that of someone who believes there is always time to start again, pursue dreams, and share them with others. Between music, magic, and an optimistic outlook on life, the artist opens a new chapter with his enthusiasm intact and with the desire to continue connecting with audiences through sincere, intimate, and energetic songs.
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