There’s a certain kind of deep longing which is stitched into “Medellin”. Meet independent rock-pop artist Trincao; a world-famous musician who has recently interviewed individuals on the streets of Colombia (and then created a song about it). Through “Medellin” Trincao has embodied the pain of humanity.
The song has a rich and cinematic start with piano and a touch of haunting South American flute. Then it gets a more upbeat bittersweet stride. Out of this, a mantra emerges…“Leave the night alone, let me go home”
The soundscape of “Medellin” feels nostalgic and anthemic; The broad, big sounds of 1980’s classic rock meet marvelous, far-away sounds of the Iberian Penisula…” “Medellin” could easily be likened to a modern Fado– A melancholic traditional Portuguese song which speaks of life struggles (but also exudes passion).
The synergistic combination of orchestral violins and Latin-American sounding guitars, and again we return to the mantra: “Leave the night alone.” Is it sadness we sense? Inside “Medellin” there is something ineffable.. wisdom perhaps. That tired feeling that only comes with life experience, place inside a lavish sonic environment… And resilience despite it all.
In “Medellin” hope, doubt, and yearning all intertwine into a earthy narrative. The end result? A gentle, expressive anthem exuding lived-in truth. Trincao’s smooth vocal performance is not just singing, but rather, raw storytelling. Genre-wise, classical rock meets cinematic pop, and gets twisted with Iberian music, and a hint of the grandeur of “Hotel California”.
In this line alone, the artist embodies crushed hopes, drug use, longing passion, and strength. This is not just art, but rather, a call to action which demands us to hold space for people in pain…and finally, to bring social issues of Colombia into the main frame.
Q&A
What first drew you to Colombia? What is the most beautiful part to you? What is the most painful part?
I’ve always been fascinated with Medellin. I’d be lying to you if I wasn’t first captivated by the idea of going to Medellin because of all the controversy that this city has generated in the world. There was something about this place on earth that sparked my interest. I wondered, “What is happening there that creates such an environment for someone like Pablo Escobar to become so determined, tenacious, and ruthless to pursue his vision at all costs?” I’ve always observed extreme behavior, which is something I like to understand. So I decided to travel to Medellin to understand this.
Most beautiful part of Medellin is its people. They are so warm, gentle, and kind. I fell in love with the city because of that.
The worst part is to feel the subjugation of its people to sex, drugs, and nightlife in general. It’s quite heartbreaking to walk around places like Park Lleras, and see young teenagers subjugating themselves because of the economic incentive that that life brings to them.
How did you go about conducting these street interviews?
I just went and did it. Walked outside of El Poblado and started asking people “How would they define Medellin in 1 word? The variety of answers was incredible.
You mentioned that this single was partially recorded at Criteria Recording Studios. What was this experience like? Where was the rest of the song recorded?
Walking in Criteria Recording Studios is like walking in Valhalla. The amount of greatness that you see around you just inspires you to do your absolute best as an artist. The rest has been recorded in Portugal under the leadership of the great Jose Ferra, a legendary guitar player in Portugal that has been leading and coordinating Portugal’s most iconic musical productions.
You grew up in Portugal: Do you feel any of the stories you’ve heard bear any similarity to things you’ve witnessed where you are from, or did your childhood home feel vastly different?
I think the reality it’s very different. Portugal is very safe, stable, and protective. The more I travel, and the more perspectives I get to witness, the more I value how I grew up and the protection my father gave to me. In Portugal we grew up very safe as kids. That was one of the reasons why I felt very sad, and empathetic about what these teenagers and people in Colombia feel, by being forced into doing something they don’t want to.
Was any of the music “Medellin” intentionally inspired by Fado?
Great question. I did bring that suffering and sadness from Fado, in the way I approached my singing, and the musical arrangement with the strings and guitars. Interesting you ask that.
Do you tend to write songs about places? How did writing “Oh America” feel similar or different from “Medellin”?
It happened to be, but not only limited to it. Oh America is a story about me. Being an immigrant living in America for almost 10 years, and realized after these 10 years of living there, that America is now what I call home.
Finally, what was the first moment when you realized you were going to write this song? The seed of “Medellin” and your creative process, if you will?
Right after meeting the girl I interviewed and learned about her story, that’s when I felt I had to tell her story!
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/trincaomusic
https://x.com/tryncao