Singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno is only in her early 30s, but she's already had quite the career: signed to a major label at 17, an Emmy nomination for co-writing the infectious theme song for "Parks and Recreation," and a Best New Artist award from the Latin Grammys.
After a series of albums, she's gotten into the Christmas spirit with her newest album, "Posada" — a collection of songs from various traditions, ranging from her upbringing in Guatemala to other holiday staples.
When Moreno came by The Frame, we asked her about composing the theme for "Parks and Rec," singing songs in church, and how she decided to to turn a Christmas classic into a retro-soul jam.
Interview Highlights:
When you came to the United States, was it for your career? Was it inspired by music and wanting to perform?
Both [laughs]. I wanted to come here to absorb the musical styles that I loved: blues and jazz. I just knew that I had limited resources in Guatemala, so I had to find a way to come here and try to find opportunities. So I moved and went to music school.
How old were you when you moved?
19.
And where did you study music?
I went to the Musicians Institute.
You ended up co-writing the theme song for "Parks and Recreation" and you were nominated for an Emmy for that. How did that collaboration come about?
I got the opportunity as many other composers did — we just sent out the theme. I co-wrote it with Vincent Jones and we thought it was a long shot. We didn't think we were going to get it, because there were a hundred other composers that were also submitting their themes. But then we got it, and it was unbelievable. I had never done anything for television. That was my first time trying that out, so it was very exciting.
Your new record, "Posada," is almost entirely Spanish language. The musical traditions that are reflected in this album — how much of it is from your musical upbringing in Guatemala, and how much is it influenced by what you learned in the States?
I think 60-70 percent of what you hear on the record is songs that I grew up singing in Guatemala in church. I was actually part of a choir, and I remember that whenever December would come, I would be so excited because I really wanted to sing these songs. I was part of the choir from when I was 12 years old until I left, when I was 19.
So that was one big reason why I wanted to do this record. I wanted to record these songs that are so well-known in Latin America, and that a lot of people haven't really heard in these versions. And then I did a couple other songs that are traditional songs, like gospel and soul [versions].
What would be a good example of a traditional Guatemalan song that you sing during Christmas?
It's not Guatemalan, but it's part of the tradition. It's a song called "Peces en el Río." And then there's another song called "Hacia Belén Va una Burra Rin Rin" [laughs]. It's a very long title. These are songs that we sing during the Posadas as well, which is a tradition not just in Guatemala, but in Mexico and other parts of Latin America that begins on December 16th and has kids doing a re-creation of when Joseph and Mary are trying to look for shelter.
In terms of putting the songs together — the songs you chose, the arrangements, the instrumentation — what was your theory about what you wanted to do and how you wanted to have this album stand apart?
It's funny, because I went into the studio not knowing anything. I knew the songs that I wanted to do, but I didn't know how, or with what instrumentation. So when we got to the studio with the musicians we just said, "Okay, this is this song, and it could sound good like this." For example, "Santa la Noche," which is "Holy Night," I thought it would sound really good in a soul, '60s version.
And what are you working on now?
I'm working on my next record, which I hope to put out early next year. It's going to be bilingual, produced by Gabe Roth of the Dap-Kings [and Daptone Records]. It's amazing. We've recorded everything already, and we did it all analog. He doesn't have any computers in his studio, so it was a new experience, very exciting, and I can't wait to put it out.