Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy | Adolfo García presenta 'Madre Mujer Muerta' y Santiago Motorizado canta 'El retorno'

Date: 31 October 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló, Antonio Martínez Asensio & Team
Podcast: Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast, Magazine Edition)

Overview

This episode of Hoy por Hoy celebrates literature and music as it spotlights the newest novel by Adolfo García Ortega, "Madre Mujer Muerta". The discussion explores themes of memory, history, and the marginalization of women and outsiders. Later, it welcomes Santiago Motorizado, frontman of Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, who shares his experiences as a solo artist, discusses Argentine indie music, and performs live in the studio. The episode includes vibrant book recommendations and lively music conversations, maintaining the show’s signature witty and engaging tone throughout.

Key Segments

1. Opening Banter & Literary Curiosities (00:02 – 03:36)

• Belinda Marrero, a fictional character, shares a genealogy anecdote, leading to a playful exchange about identity and ancestry.
• Lighthearted banter about second surnames, Caribbean origin stories, and connections to historical figures set the table for discussions of roots and history.
• Introduction of Antonio Martínez Asensio, recent winner of the Ondas Award for his radio program.

2. Book Feature: "Madre Mujer Muerta" by Adolfo García Ortega (03:36 – 29:02)

Origins & Motivation (03:36 – 05:23)

• Adolfo García Ortega joins the show to discuss the inspiration for his novel. He shares that the story is fictional but rooted in a family tale about his great-grandmother:

  “Mi bisabuela era una joven que se parece muy lejanamente a la protagonista, Agalia, solamente en tres cosas importantísimas: en que era joven, era soltera, muere en el parto en un pueblo que no era el suyo, de la que no sabemos absolutamente nada.” – Adolfo García Ortega (03:52)

Literary Context and Themes (09:12 – 29:02)

• Martínez Asensio describes the novel as "extraordinario", emphasizing its narrative about courage, fear, and motherhood (10:00).

• The story is set in late 19th-century Castilla, near Valladolid, focusing on two marginal characters: Dr. Luis Selva, a homosexual doctor, and Galia Cervino, a young, pregnant woman.

• Ortega explains his intent to recover from oblivion those who are often relegated to the periphery of history—not just as individuals but as symbols:

  “He querido rescatar de la muerte precisamente a figuras que estaban en la periferia de la historia, una mujer y un homosexual... si no hay una voluntad de rescatarlos... quedan en el saco del olvido...” – Adolfo García Ortega (10:46)

• The relationship between Selva and Galia:

  • Selva, wracked by guilt after failing to save Galia during childbirth, undertakes a quest to reconstruct her lost life, paralleling his own search for identity and redemption.
  • The story becomes both a personal investigation and a commentary on class struggles, the emergence of industrial Spain, and the historic marginalization of women and sexual minorities.

• The theme of valentía (courage) is central:

  "La valentía siempre es excepcional. Creo que las mujeres siempre han demostrado una mayor valentía en todo, pero su papel siempre ha sido más secundario...” – Adolfo García Ortega (22:24)

• Ortega connects the novel to his family, revealing it is dedicated to his mother, who faced a similar dilemma as the protagonist (22:59).

Notable Quote

"El amor es una condena dictada por uno mismo. Te hace feliz e infeliz a la vez. Pero no amar es peor. No amar es un infierno." – (Àngels Barceló, citing the novel) (25:50)

Summing Up

• The novel is lauded as “un canto a la vida” and a testament against giving up:

  “Es una novela que lo que buscaba era contar un drama que acabara siendo una apuesta por la vida.” – Adolfo García Ortega (27:51)

3. Book Recommending Roundtable (29:02 – 39:21)

Recommendations by Adolfo García Ortega:

• "Zorro" by Dubravka Ugresic:

  “Es una escritora que ha sido muy combativa... feminista... Zorro es una mezcla de género, entre ficción y no ficción, que trata una serie de viajes... en búsqueda del origen de los relatos.” (29:24)

Other Recommendations:

• "Petróleo" by Pier Paolo Pasolini: A monumental, fragmentary novel on Italian society and identity (31:38).
• "Laberintos" by Charles Burns: A graphic novel that interweaves film references and surreal visuals (32:41).
• "Posguerra" by Tony Judt: A comprehensive political history of post-war Europe, praised for clarity and engagement (33:46).
• "Cuentos de Edgar Allan Poe": Chosen for its unmatchable capacity to provoke fear (35:13).
• "Han cantado bingo" by Lana Corujo: Intimate, poetic prose from a young Lanzarote writer (37:28).
• "Sexo salvaje" by Ricardo Moure: A humorous, scientific dive into animal sexuality (38:34).

Classic Re-reads:

• "Leyendas" by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer: Chosen for the upcoming Día de Todos los Santos (40:04).

4. Musical Segment: Santiago Motorizado Interview & Live Performance (51:38 – 68:23)

Meet Santiago Motorizado (Santiago Barrionuevo) (51:38 – 56:16)

• Santiago discusses the name of his iconic band Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, confirming they never considered changing it despite commercial oddness (53:24).
• On his solo project:

  “La idea de este proyecto tiene dos excusas: estar siempre en movimiento... Y también armar este espacio para ir en búsqueda de algo más que se salga un poco del universo de El Mató... trato de que esas palabras representen a todos... Acá me salgo de eso, me voy para cualquier lado. En todo sentido.” (54:57)

Creative Process & Technology (57:26 – 58:25)

• Google Maps is used as a metaphor for lost love and virtual connections:

  “Buscar el amor en fotos y cosas que se alejan de la realidad... se vuelve adictiva, superficial...” – Santiago Motorizado (58:00)

Personal Interests (58:28 – 59:44)

• Santiago talks candidly about hobbies, his love of football (even during tours), and video games like Pro Evolution Soccer (eFootball) and GTA.

Songwriting, Patriotism, and Pop Culture (59:44 – 63:20)

• Discussion of "La revolución" and its daring Maradona-inspired music video, which was well-received in Argentina (60:26).
• Reflects on Argentine patriotism in critical contemporary times (61:26).
• Love for The Magnetic Fields (62:38) and the significance of “69 Love Songs” in his life and work.

Notable Collaboration (63:20 – 64:11)

• On producing Amaia’s debut album post-OT:

  “La propuesta me encantó y a la vez me dio mucho miedo porque era algo que nunca había hecho... descubrir algo ahí que era muy potente." (63:36)

Live Performance (65:18 – 68:23)

• Santiago Motorizado performs "Medalla de oro" live using voice and acoustic guitar.

5. Stories Musicales—Indie and Music Recommendations (69:08 – 79:34)

The Meaning of "Indie" in Spain (70:32 – 71:52)

• Nani Castañeda, ex Niños Mutantes, explains the concept of indie:

  “El indie, básicamente, es una gran mentira. Es la forma que tenemos los músicos pobres de publicar nuestra música, sonar de vez en cuando en alguna radio secundaria... y quitarle un pedacito del pastel a las grandes multinacionales...” (70:50)

Top Spanish Indie Albums Discussed (73:04 – 76:00)

• "Un Día en el Mundo" by Vetusta Morla hailed as a generational turning point.
• "La Emperatriz" by Rigoberta Bandini praised for its influence on inclusivity and emotion in the indie scene.
• Acknowledgment of the cultural relevance and evolution of the indie genre in Spain, especially in the 21st century.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Women and Valor:

  “La esencia de la feminidad era la valentía...” – Adolfo García Ortega (18:01)

• Existential Reflections:

  “Era, pues, una manera de desaparecer, lo cual en el fondo anhelaba.” – (Narration from "Madre Mujer Muerta", 15:54)

• On Love:

  “Te hace feliz e infeliz a la vez. Pero no amar es peor. No amar es un infierno.” – Cited by Àngels Barceló (25:50)

• Literary Dedication:

  “El libro está dedicado a mi madre... hay un nexo en mi familia donde las mujeres han tenido que tomar alguna decisión en un momento dado que tiene que ver con la maternidad, tiempo de dolor, de miedo, de duda, han seguido adelante...” – Adolfo García Ortega (22:59)

• On Artistic Identity:

  “Cuando escribo para El Mató... trato de que esas palabras representen a todos... acá me salgo de eso, me voy para cualquier lado... va más para el lado del humor..." – Santiago Motorizado (54:57)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:02 – 03:36: Opening, playful banter, award announcement
• 03:36 – 29:02: In-depth interview on "Madre Mujer Muerta"
• 29:02 – 39:21: Book recommendations and literary news
• 41:51 – 68:23: Music segment with Santiago Motorizado: interview and live performance
• 69:08 – 79:34: Music stories—indie music history and recommendations
• Rest: Listener calls, more recommendations, and comedic close

Style & Tone

Throughout the episode, the mood is engaging, curious, and accessible, with light touches of humor and empathy. The hosts foster a relaxed pace, allowing the guests—particularly Adolfo García Ortega and Santiago Motorizado—to delve into the art, life, and society. Attention is paid to voices often overlooked, both in literature and society.

For New Listeners

This episode is an exemplary entry-point into Hoy por Hoy's mix of literature, music, humor, and thoughtful social commentary. Anchored by intimate author discussions and vibrant musical interludes, it provides both emotional depth and intellectual curiosity—leaving the listener with a list of books and albums to discover, and a sense of personal resonance with enduring human stories.

Go-To Highlights (Timestamps)

• 03:52: Adolfo García Ortega on his family inspiration and the interplay of fiction/reality.
• 10:00 – 11:35: Introducing main themes of "Madre Mujer Muerta": valiant outsiders and women's stories.
• 18:01: On masculinity, femininity, and literary archetypes.
• 25:50: The novel’s philosophy on love.
• 65:18: Santiago Motorizado’s stripped-down live performance.
• 70:50: Nani Castañeda on the spirit of ‘indie’ in Spanish music.
• 73:04: Debate on the greatest Spanish indie album.

Recommended for anyone passionate about books, music, and those lost stories that shape our collective memory.