#MusicExchange: Marcela Arciniegas
7 Sep 2017
Colombian songwriter and music producer Marcela Arciniegas is in Cape Town for the first time and will be speaking at Music Exchange on 9 September 2017.
Arciniegas is currently working different projects between her home country and the United Kingdom. She started writing songs as a teenager and eventually branched out into producing. Although she loves pop, her music portfolio indicates her varied taste.
After meeting and signing JD Chamo to her label Cuckoo Records, Arciniegas started making reggaeton. She co-produced JD Chamo's single Suave (featuring Kevin Roldan) as well as his latest single Se Mueve Asi with Pipe Florez, one of the most recognised producers in the reggaeton scene.
Her latest project is Marcela A, in which she showcases her skills as a DJ/producer. Marcela A’s debut single Do It reached the top 30 Music Week club charts in the UK. Dance (feat. Laila Subratti) is her latest single and it charted at no. 19 in the Music Week Commercial Pop club charts.
I caught up with her after her first 48 hours in the Mother City.
What does music mean to you?
My passion.
Any funny moments on stage?
Once in a gig, we had at school, I was playing drums and in one of the drum fills I hit the snare at a wrong timing and one of the guys playing guitar looked back at me as if he wanted to kill me!
It was just a one-second thing but I think not a lot of people got it, thank god there were no smartphones back then!
Which living person do you admire most and why?
I am not sure if he is the one I admire the most, but Laidback Luke is someone who I really respect and admire a lot. He has given a lot to the EDM industry and he is always finding ways to give feedback and help new upcoming producers.
He is one of the most generous producers when it comes to giving tips and knowledge for music production. Plus he is really down to earth and all good vibes kinda guy.
What is your most treasured possession?
What is your most treasured possession?My computer.
It’s your round what are you drinking?
A beer or Aguardiente.
The song you wished you wrote?
Bohemian Rhapsody, I think it's a perfect blend between classical and rock/pop music. It's a classic, will never get old!
Dream gig to do?
I think Burning Man would be fun!
What makes you stand out?
Authenticity and passion.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Pick five words to describe yourself?Kind, honest, cool, straightforward, passionate.
Five desert island discs?
I would have compilations then, with some reggaeton, Joe Arroyo (salsa), Juan Luis Guerra, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Aerosmith, David Guetta, Sia, Calvin Harris.
Greatest movie ever made?
Spinal Tap! Hahaha (just kidding).
What song changed your life?
Not sure about which song, but I can say which group! The Spice Girls! They were a really big influence and inspiration.
Give us some real proper slang and what it means?
Paila... it means too bad.
Your greatest achievement?
Have all my released tracks in the UK chart in the Music Week club charts and attending a BMI writing camp at Abbey Road Studios!
What do you complain about most often?
That I am bored, I get bored quite easily.
On stage I tend to?
Somehow I tend to improvise at some point because something always goes wrong.
The best life lesson you have been taught?
Treat others, as you want to be treated.
Follow Marcela Arciniegas on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
