In Peques and Más we are delighted to introduce you to Mariana Iranzi, an Argentine composer of children's music He currently lives in New York. He has just released his second album "Hello Hello" and we have taken the opportunity to comment on his projects in this interview. Mariana Iranzi is a professional bassist, composer of children's music and teacher of Argentine music received from the Technological Institute of Contemporary Music (2001) and Berklee College of Music (2005).
Mariana works as a professional bassist and music teacher. His main project is children's music and he has recorded two albums Adventure Collage (2008) and Hello Hello (2013). He has also played in important festivals such as The Encounter of the Latin American and Caribbean Children's Song (Mexico), Austin City Limits (Texas), KindieFest (NY) and ArtBeat (MA) among others.
What type of music do you do for children?
The styles are varied: rock, blues, reggae, jazz and Latin American rhythms since those are my musical influences. Some songs are purely inspired by activities and games that I do with children in my classes, others in my own childhood and others in both. As well as singers of other genres, my music is a reflection of my inner life, my person, my experiences and emotions. Through my personal history, composing music for children is my means to connect my deepest being with the world.
I work with varied ages in my classes and presentations, from babies to children of 8 years or so but I have always had very good feedback from adults too.
In what language do you sing
Most of my music is in Spanish since it is my mother tongue and the one I have used all my life. It is natural in me to describe the sensations and experiences in a more poetic way in this way. At the same time, I have lived in the United States for almost twelve years now and that is where I have experienced my entire musical career as a teacher. Therefore, I try to include some English so as not to close to a single audience. Nowadays, Spanish is the second language in the United States and many parents are interested in having their children be bilingual and that helps to understand the lyrics better, which also affects the commercial aspect of a product such as selling a CD or Entrance to a concert.
What is the instrument you play
The electric bass guitar is my main instrument, with which I studied at the university and with which I am part of several musical projects. I have studied piano and I am self-taught with guitar and percussion. When composing songs I usually use the guitar and sometimes the piano since they are much more versatile in terms of harmony, melody and to accompany the voice. In my two albums I have played the bass and I sing only and live many times I do shows alone with the guitar but if I can play with the band I use the bass that is my forte.
How do you promote your artistic work
It's hours and hours of work! I am an independent artist and I have no one to help me so I do everything alone. Luckily I still have the time (between classes and other projects) to sit on the computer and send emails to the media. I make my promotional posters, send by mail, contact the media, write newsletters, keep my website and social networks, make my videos, prepare music, etc.
The truth is that it is a full time job but as long as I can I will continue doing it because I think I am good, I like it and above all nobody will love what I do as much as I do.
You write the lyrics of the songs yourself
I am the author of the majority. This year for the first time I included two versions in my new album: The Chicks and 5 Little Monkeys (a children's classic in English) with harmonies, melodies and even extra verses of my own invention.
What singers for children are a reference today
The truth is that there is a lot of music for children today. I particularly like the Latin American style more than the United States because it seems much more artistic, genuine and better produced.
What is your proposal for the future in children's music
That does not become something commercial, artificial and superficial. That the goal is always to add beauty and provide something positive to the lives of children and their families. That there is a sincere and meaningful message behind, that instills values, that fosters imagination and creativity and that connects. May it provide a healthy and enriching experience for today's child that is tomorrow's society and thus contribute to that grain of sand so that the world is better.
Why do you like to sing for children
The truth is that it makes me happy. Although I consider life to be beautiful, I feel that childhood is unique and magical. It is where one experiences freedom, creativity, imagination, artistic expression, the barrier-free connection with others and the world and many other healthy and beautiful aspects. By combining all this, and it is not little, with my great passion for music I receive much satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness. Needless to say, children produce happiness naturally. Is there anyone who does not miss a smile when looking at a baby or a child?
You can live singing for children
Not only do I think so, but I live it every day of my life. I am very fortunate to be able to live on what I like, especially since I am not a materialistic person and I live with the just. In the musical environment there are many people with a lot of money and there are many independent artists who have to work from anything to pay rent. I believe that if one is convinced, one strives and fights to get his project forward, he achieves it. It is not easy but I feel it is my only option.
On the other hand, the market for children's products continues to grow and there are many options to be inserted in the field, it will be a matter of seeing that everyone finds their place in it.
How your hobby of singing for children began
I always liked teaching, run in the family. Both my grandmother and my mother and my aunts have dedicated themselves to teaching grade or kindergarten. I was a student of Education Sciences for a while before dedicating myself to music professionally and full time. I studied music education at Berklee College of Music and when I graduated I started as an assistant in group classes for children. From there onwards everything went very clearly towards children's music.
I started teaching as a starter and singing and playing the guitar (which I didn't do until then) and composing songs for the classes. Without clear objectives I recorded my first album and from there everything was triggered until it became my main project today.
I think my main reference was The Beatles (how original!). At home was the vinyl collection and since I was a girl I danced and sang to the beat. As a reference for children's music, the great María Elena Walsh without a doubt. Amazing music and poetry, I dreamed when I listened to his songs and I still do.
How many works have you published for children and what can we find in them?
I have two: Adventure Collage (2008) and Hello Hello (2013)
I think the evolution at the musical and production level is clear from the first to the second but the truth is that Adventure Collage has many fans! They will find varied rhythms, instrumentation, stories and desire to dance and sing in both.
Where can we acquire your works and where are you going to perform live performances?
The records are available at: CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, iTunes and soon on Baby Radio (Spain) and Portal Butiá (Uruguay and Latin America). This year I will be touring Mexico (September from 3 to 19), Colombia (from September 20 to October 5) and Argentina (in October and November) presenting the new album in different places.
Y So far the interview with Mariana Iranzi. We are very grateful for the attention he has had with Peques and Más and we wish him many successes. It has been a pleasure to know many details about the composition and performance of music for the little ones and it is a relief to know that there is concern that children learn, enjoy and enrich themselves with music.
