Interview with John Taleb, Tres Dedos: “I’m not afraid of the ‘Monster’ of Viña del Mar, but I do have a lot of respect”

The countdown has started. This Monday, February 13, the singer John Taleb, best known for the musical project Tres Dedosis preparing to travel to Chile to prepare his presentation at the next Viña del Mar festival. The artist from Guayaquil is the Ecuadorian representative at the event, one of the most important in Latin American music.

Neither Andreína Bravo nor Mar Rendón: Tres Dedos will represent Ecuador in Viña del Mar 2023

First, congratulations on this opportunity. How do you feel about being the Ecuadorian representative at the Viña del Mar festival?

Thank you so much. In truth, I am very happy, excited, it is a spectacular pride for me and a responsibility to represent the country, not only as Tres Dedos, but as Ecuador. It’s something amazing. At some point I dreamed of this possibility, and now it is possible, I am very happy and expecting what can happen.

How has your life changed since then?

I have received a lot of love from people, who have given me a lot of support, they have given me very good vibes, people congratulate me a lot and make me feel well loved. Lately my days have been super busy, with intense activities, as far as preparation is concerned, and I feel very psyched to win. I have also relaxed a bit in terms of my social life to put it in a way, but I am very focused on what is coming and accepting all those good vibes from the people who send me in good faith.

‘With faith, let’s go for that seagull!’, says Tres Dedos, the artist who will represent Ecuador in Viña del Mar 2023

How did you get the opportunity to compete in Viña del Mar?

They called us from Chile, around June or July of last year. They told us that they have been following our work, which is fine with them. cool what we have done all these years and they asked us if we would like to apply to participate in the festival. And for us it was good, ok, we have nothing to lose by trying. I applied with two songs, Because of you and I’m sorry. We waited until October, the beginning of November, when the email and the call arrived with the news that they had chosen us. It was incredible, the truth is that I never expected it. There is a video on social media where I show my manager Ronny giving me the news.

Who called you from Chile, people from the Viña del Mar organization?

No, they were not part of the organization, they were secondary people of the organization, who worked around them inviting artists to participate.

What songs are you going to perform?

I will participate with I’m sorry. Each participant competes with a single song and I’m sorry It’s a song that came out in 2019 and I’m loving it again like the one I did at the time, it’s coming to life again.

“In the classes the teachers took me out because I kept singing and that bothered them”: Tres Dedos, representative of Ecuador in Viña del Mar 2023

What advice have other Ecuadorian artists who have shone at this festival given you?

I was doing a live About three weeks ago, Dayanara was able to advise me a lot, she told me about her experience as it had been on stage. I also spoke with Johann Vera, who gave me his respective messages and advice; Paulina Aguirre was writing to me, as well as Mirella Cesa.

More than anything they have told me that obviously everything is a Show, with dance, on a giant stage, that if I don’t dance very well or if I don’t do so well on stage with the movements, that I try to do what is fair and necessary, but all clean and with strength in my voice , which, after all, is what is going to be qualified. I have been told not to worry so much about making a Show Michael Jackson type, but that the public can see the power and potential of my voice. And, more than anything, that you should enjoy it, not go with a stressed, nervous or anxious mentality, but rather go enjoy it because it is a spectacular environment with many artists, with a lot of music and many relationships.

And since you mentioned it, how do you consider yourself for the dance?

The truth is that I’m not much of a dancer, I only dance in discos (laughs).

The public of Viña del Mar is known as ‘the Monster’. How do you plan to tame that beast, are you afraid of it?

I don’t know if the word is fear, I think I have a lot of respect for it. I know that sometimes it is a somewhat complicated public, but I have been working very well, getting ready in all areas and I know that if I go with the confidence that I am going to do a good job, with all the humility possible, I do not have to what to be afraid of

I am sure that I am going to do an excellent role, that people are going to enjoy it a lot. That is the goal of every artist, to win over that difficult public, but I feel very optimistic.

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How have you been preparing for the festival?

I am full with singing lessons coaching vocal. I am also in dance classes, to loosen up my body a bit, I went to the gym, also taking care of my diet. Everything to be at the top and save a bit, not going out to many parties anymore, so there won’t be any problems. I have taken good care of myself.

What are your plans after Viña del Mar?

This is the year to resume the internationalization project that had been planned for 2020, but for obvious reasons it could not materialize. Viña del Mar, Chile, is the kickoff for the plan to visit many countries, return to Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, all of Latin America taking my music and this is a good year to do it. Also putting out an album, an EP, is my goal this year, the first in my five-year career. (AND)