Self-taught musician, Jorgie Viento started playing guitar as a child in Puerto Rico. We sat down with Jorgie to talk about his newly published album “Alma Acustica” (or “Acoustic Soul”) on busk.co.
Davi: Jorgie, you’ve toured all over the world. Where have you most enjoyed performing and why?
Jorgie: Well I would have to say that each country has its magic. I cannot choose a specific place, but I can share that in countries like Estonia, Russia, Latvia & Ukraine, there is genuine appreciation for music. The audiences there are eager to open themselves up to musical experiences, even though most cannot understand the lyrics.
D: What are the differences between North America, South America and European audiences?
J: In the Americas people are louder, I guess [laughs]. In Europe, they are more quiet. But I have also experienced the contrary. In general it’s all been quite good.
D. What is your favorite part of performing in front of live audiences?
J. The energy that is shared. I feel that music has a way of opening a communication beyond what we can speak and it allows us to be together in a unique experience.
I started understanding that music is medicine for the soul. It helps us to confront certain emotions, attachments and feelings and to release them in the frequencies of its melodies and rhythms.
D. You’ve said that music is a healing vibration, can you elaborate on that idea?
J. Ever since I can remember, listening to music always took me away into a different state of mind. I remember listening to black metal as a teenager and floating into a meditative state of consciousness. It allowed me to move forward amidst the chaos of my early family issues. I started understanding that music is medicine for the soul. It helps us to confront certain emotions, attachments and feelings and to release them in the frequencies of its melodies and rhythms.
D. You’ve said that music has not only been a way of self-expression for you but that it has also helped you work through challenging times in your life. Can you share a moment in which music helped you work through something or how music has helped you grow as a person?
J. After serving some time in the military, I was quite depressed. I joined a metal/hardcore band as vocalist and started releasing a lot of my emotions through the music until I basically wasn’t as angry anymore. Then some years after, I hit another period of depression after a breakup. After this I started playing more acoustic music. The first song of my EP “Alma Acústica”, was the first time I ever “channeled” a song. It made me realise that I could heal and follow my heart through music, and allowed me to share this healing with all those I met. Shortly after, more songs came to me and they also allowed me to heal other emotional wounds. I started playing in open mics. At these events I met many amazing and inspiring souls on a similar path which inspired me to keep going. All of this led me into this journey across the world, which, in itself, is and growing and learning experience.
D. What has busking taught you?
J. Not to take myself so seriously and to be open to the wonders of each day because you never know how it will flow.
D. What made you pick up a guitar and start teaching yourself how to play?
J. I remember the exact moment. I went with my family to a motorcycle convention in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I think I was around 14 or 15 years old. There I saw my first live band; a local band called Sol de Menta. The guitar player played the hymn of Puerto Rico, Jimi Hendrix style, and I was blown away. After that experience I told myself I had to learn how to play that instrument!
D. Did you have a favorite song or genre to play when you were first teaching yourself the guitar?
J. Well I remember ever since I picked up the guitar I started playing what I heard in my head. So for the first years or so I was working on a song I actually never finished [laughs]. Also, I was really into metal, so I played some classic Slayer, Sepultura, Metallica and similar riffs all the time.
D. What song always puts you in a good when you listen to it?
J. There are many. It can be any classic salsa song from the 70’s or 80’s as well as some classic metal, pop or rock’n’roll.
D. Last question: if you could have any superpower, what power would you have and why?
J. When I was a kid I always dreamed of flying, but now I would have to say teleportation. That way I can be anywhere at anytime. If I feel a loved one in distress, I can be there physically in no time.