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An Independent Musical Voice From Chile: Diego Peralta

Chris Eudaily
/
TPR
Diego Peralta was in the U.S. for the first time at this year's SXSW.

With undisputable pop leanings and an ear for a sweet vocal melody, Diego Peralta is one of the leading independent voices on the Chilean music scene in his hometown of Valparaiso.

Diego was one of only a few musicians representing Chile at this year's South By Southwest Music Festival (SXSW), and this was his first time in the United States.

"I am still dizzy from the flight. I have never traveled so far but it has been a beautiful experience and I hope to keep on traveling with my music... The invitation was a privilege because I am the only musician invited from Valparaiso, Chile and I have a very good impression of the festival because it gets artists from all around the world, which allows me to not only play my music but also to meet other bands from different countries."

His well-constructed musical arrangements are the result of both formal training and hours spent alone in the studio.

"When I was 10 years old I went to conservatory in Chile where I learned to play guitar, and in university I studied sound engineering. That's more or less my academic information, but where I really learned the most is in my professional studio where I create my own albums and allow more freedom in my musical creation... I am not very attached to formulas, so if the music comes first that is the way I compose, but if the lyrics come first I take it as it comes."

The 25-year-old already has four full-length albums to his name, and all are available for you to listen and download for free at diegoperalta.bandcamp.com.

The self-made and self-managed singer/songwriter is showing no signs of stopping. He created his first two albums by himself, but brought in two additional musicians for his latest album, November 2012's "Deliramos."

"My songs talk about personal topics, but also I tend to create characters that come alive with my stories. I also use different influences. I love movies and different styles of music that inspire me when I am writing lyrics."

His brother, Daniel Peralta, is a Chilean filmmaker and recently recruited Diego to create the soundtrack for his latest film "Fiesta Falsa," ("False Party"). Daniel directed the music video for Diego's song, "Tu" (see video below).

Where will you be in ten years?

"I don't have a crystal ball but I do have a very good imagination so I would like to be playing in concerts not only in Chile, but also in the rest of Latin America - and why not? I would like to come back to the U.S.A."

Hear more from Diego and other World Music artists at this year's SXSW on World Music with Deirdre Saravia this Saturday on KSTX at 8 p.m.

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My journalism journey began with an idea for a local art and music zine and the gumption to make it happen with no real plan or existing skill set.