Podcast Summary: “Ismael Serrano: más crudo, más directo”

Podcast: Carne Cruda – PROGRAMAS
Host: Javier Gallego (“Carne Cruda”)
Guest: Ismael Serrano
Episode #: 1518
Date: May 26, 2025
Event: En directo desde Estación Podcast, Palacio de la Prensa, Madrid.

Overview:

This episode of Carne Cruda is a live concert-interview special with renowned Spanish singer-songwriter Ismael Serrano. While blending live music and candid conversation, the episode explores Serrano’s 28-year career, the evolution of the “cantautor” (singer-songwriter) tradition, personal and political engagement through music, memory, identity, parenthood, and standing up to the resurgence of the far right. The tone oscillates naturally between humor, melancholy, nostalgia, and hope—a reflection of both host and guest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off in Song and Playful References

• The episode weaves in titles and lyrics from Serrano's discography as a narrative device.
• Serrano opens with his song “¿Qué andarás haciendo ahora?” live, setting a reflective, intimate mood.
  • [03:40] Ismael Serrano performs the song live, enchanting the audience.

2. 28 Years of Ismael Serrano: Career, Crisis & Sinfónico

• Reflecting on a Long Career:
  • Gallego highlights Serrano's legacy, describing him as someone who “canta a los invisibles y convierte las canciones en un destello de felicidad contra el odio y el retroceso.” [06:47]
  • Serrano shares the personal significance of his recent symphonic album, “Sinfónico,” recorded in Buenos Aires with a 40-piece orchestra.
    • “Yo creo que hacer un Sinfónico es como un sueño recurrente en todo músico que hace canción popular...” [07:50]
• On Aging, Self-Doubt, and Reinvention:
  • The “crisis de los 50” and the need to find new challenges and honors in music.
    • “Con la edad uno hace muchas tonterías... puede que esta del Sinfónico sea una de ellas.” [08:26]
  • Comparing music careers to cycling: constant pedaling to avoid falling.
    • “Es como ir en bicicleta y no puedes dejar de pedalear porque la bicicleta se cae.” [12:16]
• Epic, Community, and Melancholy:
  • “Le da un barniz de heroicidad a la cotidianidad...” [09:13]
  • Music as a gathering point, offering hope and collective strength in dark times.

3. The Political Edge: Engagement & Fearlessness

• Music as a Tool for Social Connection:
  • Serrano argues that music can reshape our perception of the world and remind us we're not alone:
    • “El pesimismo a día de hoy es una herramienta política... para desmovilizarnos.” [10:04]
• His Political Outspokenness:
  • On taking a stand for Palestine, the Sahara, and against fascism, even when it risks his career ([24:00]):
    • “No, claro que tengo miedo [de perder conciertos], pero qué le voy a hacer, si lo llevo haciendo desde los 18 años.” [24:06]
• Rejecting “No te metas en política”:
  • “No expresarse políticamente es una forma también de hacer política.” [26:03]
• Critique of the Resurgence of the Far Right:
  • On today’s extreme polarization, youth votes, and loss of historical memory:
    • “Estamos llegando a un grado de polarización en el que uno puede llegar a sentir miedo simplemente por expresar sus ideas políticas.” [30:18]

4. Songs as Memory, Narrative, and Resistance

• Interplay Between Personal and Collective History:
  • Songs like “Gallo Rojo, Gallo Negro”—performed live ([25:35])—are used as tools of remembrance and resistance.
  • “Recordar lo que fue el fascismo me parece necesario.” [30:52]
• The Art of Storytelling Through Song:
  • Importance of the classic narrative structure—“presentación, nudo, y desenlace”—in his songs. [33:34]
  • “Yo creo que necesitamos relatos hechos en esta época de dispersión...” [34:34]
• Shifting Perspectives:
  • Songs like “Papá, cuéntame otra vez” change meaning as he ages:
    • “Antes la cantaba como un chaval de 21 años... ahora la canto como un padre.” [42:48]

5. Changing Musical Landscape & The Digital Era

• On TikTok and Modern Platforms:
  • Serrano jokes about not fitting into TikTok’s world, both lamenting and poking fun at algorithm-centric digital platforms:
    • “Yo quiero ser tiktoker.” [36:27]
  • Concern that algorithms shape not just content but ways of thinking and creating:
    • “El algoritmo está influyendo en la forma de crear contenidos de todo tipo.” [36:44]
• Old School Craft vs. Meme Culture:
  • Ardently defends the value of storytelling and emotional depth.

6. Origins, Influence, and Family

• Musical Roots and First Songs:
  • Early musical education from his mother and a blind teacher in Vallecas; learning to play Silvio Rodríguez songs from his uncle.
    • “Me daba clase un profesor ciego que me enseñaba sevillana. Maravilloso.” [38:11]
• Relationship with Parents, Impact of Fatherhood:
  • Parenthood reshapes his worldview and brings new wisdom:
    • “Te desprejuicias muchísimo... relativizas todo mucho más.” [53:33]
    • “Aprendes... a no ponerte en el centro todo el rato del relato.” [54:34]
  • Openly discusses missing his children while on tour, and their musical tastes eclipsing his own:
    • “No estoy en gran parte de sus playlists.” [53:14]

7. Humor, Self-Image, and the Cantautor Stereotype

• Responding to Comedy and Parody:
  • Serrano addresses the Pantomima Full sketch about “cansautores” (tired/sad songwriters):
    • “Cuando te conviertes en parodiable, de otra forma serías uno del montón.” [69:15]
    • Jokes about cantautores having better humor than comedians.
• On Tears and Joy at Concerts:
  • “La gente sale: ‘qué bien lo hemos pasado, como hemos llorado.’” [67:49]

8. Notable Collaborations and Moments

• Collaborating with Mercedes Sosa and Silvio Rodríguez:
  • Powerful stories about humility, mentorship, and lessons learned from artists he idolized.
    • Organizing a concert for Silvio in Vallecas as “increíble, inolvidable.” [58:28]

9. On Legacy, Memory, and Connection

• How He’d Like to Be Remembered:
  • “Como un buen tipo. Como Joe Ismael era un buen tipo...” [76:49]
  • Artistic ability as a sort of “déficit” rather than a “don.”
• On the Purpose of Songs:
  • Songs are fundamentally about dealing with fear, loss, and seeking connection:
    • “Se canta lo que se pierde. Y nosotros cantamos porque tenemos miedo a perder...” [70:28]
    • “Las canciones sirven para no sentirnos solos, para entender el mundo.” [72:08]

Notable Live Performances

• “¿Qué andarás haciendo ahora?” [03:07–06:18]
• “La llamada” (fragmento) [13:19–13:38]
• “Gallo Rojo, Gallo Negro” (Versionada) [25:35–28:51]
• “Recuerdos” (fragmento y reflexión) [33:04–34:34]
• “Ana” [47:03–50:36]
• “Ahora que te encuentro” (dedicada a su hija) [61:36–67:05]
• “Papá, cuéntame otra vez” [80:05–82:46]

Memorable Quotes

“El pesimismo a día de hoy es una herramienta política... para desmovilizarnos.”
— Ismael Serrano [10:04]

“No expresarse políticamente es una forma también de hacer política.”
— Ismael Serrano [26:03]

“Con la edad uno hace muchas tonterías... puede que esta del Sinfónico sea una de ellas.”
— Ismael Serrano [08:26]

“Me gusta la gente cursi. Prefiero la cursilería al cinismo.”
— Ismael Serrano [47:33]

“La canción no es sólo la canción, sino todo el momento vivido.”
— Ismael Serrano [43:25]

“Yo quiero ser tiktoker.”
— Ismael Serrano (en tono irónico y autocrítico) [36:27]

“La gente canta porque tiene miedo, porque no quiere sentirse sola.”
— Ismael Serrano [72:09]

Miscellaneous: Small Gems and Personal Revelations

• Parenting lessons: How fatherhood has helped him shed prejudices and take himself less seriously. [53:33–54:44]
• Tendency to self-deprecate and humanize: Calling himself “cabroncete” for making the audience weep, joking about the need for his lyric stand even for his most famous song. [67:39, 79:17]
• Shyness and connecting with admired peers: Admits lifelong timidez, especially with idols: “No soy el tipo... que sabe relacionarse.” [74:13–76:09]
• Open gratitude and humility about his career: Despite challenges, he feels privileged and grateful for the community around his work. [41:27–42:11; 78:52–79:17]

Conclusion:

A generous, wide-ranging, and heartfelt live episode, full of Ismael Serrano’s songs, stories, and spirit. Through sincerity, laughter, and melancholy, Serrano and Gallego render public—and political—a vision of the cantautor as chronicler, memory keeper, and companion against loneliness and hopelessness. The live audience is invited not just to listen, but to join in the ongoing celebration and struggle that is music and life.

[Episode Highlights & Timestamps]

• Intro / Setting the Stage: [00:00–01:59]
• Song: ¿Qué andarás haciendo ahora? [03:07–06:18]
• Symphonic Album & Melancholy/Epic: [07:23–09:39]
• Political Role of Music: [09:39–10:55]
• Serrano’s Career & the Music Scene: [11:42–13:16]
• Live: “La llamada” snippet: [13:19–13:38]
• Working with Orchestras / Buenos Aires: [14:41–16:39]
• Africa, Palestine, and Engagement: [18:36–22:54]
• Live: “Gallo Rojo, Gallo Negro” [25:35–28:51]
• Fascism, Memory & Youth: [30:18–32:54]
• Live: “Recuerdos” & storytelling: [33:04–34:34]
• TikTok / Algorithm Era: [34:46–36:44]
• Becoming a Musician—Roots: [37:23–41:19]
• Parenthood & Vulnerability: [52:16–54:44]
• Songs for Love & For Letting Go (“Ana”): [47:03–50:36]
• On Legacy and “Good Guy” Status: [76:49–77:19]
• Final Song: “Papá, cuéntame otra vez” [80:05–82:46]

For a full appreciation, listen to this special live Carne Cruda with Ismael Serrano—a potent mix of intimacy, politics, nostalgia, and music, true to the spirit of the 'cansautores' and the communities they sing for.