A melancholic and beautiful metaphor

Something envelops the night. Perhaps it is a distant echo of the past: the Fair wheel, childhood. Fairground colors, blurred by time. The hustle and bustle, and the lights, have been left behind, yet the music reverberates and spins like a merry-go-round in the distance, reminding us of who we were and, above all, who we are.

Galician guitarist, singer, and composer Miguel Moldes started playing classical guitar at a young age. He eventually delved into styles such as blues and rock, incorporating influences from folk and R&B. He has collaborated with bands such as Dead Wood, Los Wavy Gravies, and Vatapá. These projects, along with his solo career, have shaped his solid career and evident artistic personality. This has led to his first album, which is a turning point in the Galician singer-songwriter’s career.

To achieve this, Miguel Moldes opted for a band format. He is joined by singer-songwriter Sandra “Sanny” Gómez on keyboards, acoustic guitar, and vocal harmonies. She is an experienced artist who has released records such as Loners Downtown and Grape Juice. On the other hand, Anxo Paz plays drums and percussion. He is a regular collaborator in Sanny’s band. Paz is also a member of projects such as ForaOstias. Finally, Alejandro Neira plays bass and has been part of bands such as Boa Sonet, releasing records such as Humo as a guitarist and keyboardist.

A band that solidly backs Miguel Moldes’ creative ability, who, in addition to playing guitar, lead vocals, and harmonica, composes all the songs, masterfully enabling a musical and lyrical narrative that is rare on this side of the world, providing the quality of real live music with an honest and organic character.

Fairground Ballads, recorded at Escusalla Sonora Studios in Pontedeva and produced by Javier Vicalo, is an album that displays enormous emotional and intimate content through its eight original tracks. A record that blends folk, Irish music, country, and blues in the most brilliant and unorthodox tradition of American music.

Songs such as Santa Rosalia’s Twilight and Black Over Blue serve as a prelude to the many gems found in the album. The Galician author tells stories of loneliness and melancholy, reminiscent of acoustic Springsteen and Dylan, in songs like “No Name Man.” He delves into country-folk on “Five Dynamite Blocks” and treats us to delightful guitar landscapes on “Moon.” With an unmistakable R&B influence, Tuesday Night Sounds has a certain feel, while the delicate melancholy of “Needle” maintains a perfect balance with the brightness and beauty of its harmonies. Moldes ends up with minimalist and intimate “Fairground Ballad,” performed solo.

Fairground Ballads is a memory of another time, crafted from brilliant strokes of American folk, country, and blues music. It is a melancholic and beautiful metaphor that reveals the true nature of an artist like Miguel Moldes.

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