Sergio Camacho
I have always fought against stereotyping; just because I was born in Spain people expect me to run in front of bulls, play guitar, sing flamenco or even to serenade young ladies as a latin trovadour in a fifteen century costume… well, it is true that, in this case, I may be a “typical Spaniard”. I am even short and dark-haired!!. But I promise that I have never had the temptation of fighting any half-a-ton-blade-horned bull (and if I ever meet one I will definitely run away!!!).
As a composer, and as a performer, my background is rooted in Spanish tradition; I have been part for twelve years of a five-century ensemble (the trovadour bit was quite accurate) with which I have had most of my small-big successes in music. With them I learned that we are heir of those that came before us, and we are also responsible of the heritage of those that will follow us. But I also learned that the only way of maintaining a tradition is keeping it alive; that is why I started to explore and compose. And that is why my music, and life, is a continuous dialogue between past and future. I will not ignore my roots. But I will always explore beyond the borders; only the one who breaks them will embrace new worlds.
Very often I am asked why I ended up here in Newcastle; the story is as simple as life may be. I needed to take a step forward, and I took it. After that, there came others. And after many others, a complete way. One day that way led to Tyneside. I don’t know where it will lead in the future; but I know that Newcastle is a big part of my life; and I will be always proud of it; even if I do have the weirdest Geordie accent in the Toon!