Although she has already come a long way, her incomparable voice continues to travel, without interruption, on the paths of music, awakening emotions with a own style with which she has gained the recognition of those who know it and, above all, of those who have followed her since the first day of her “journey”. María Rosa García, better known as Niña Pastori, now arrives at the end of another “Camino”, that of her eponymous tour, with which she stops in Córdoba this Friday, on the stages of the Teatro de la Axerquía.
-‘Camino’ was the album that crowned her as the artist with the most Latin Grammys in flamenco music, a recognition that adds to all those she has accumulated throughout her long career. Are success and fame a gift or are they also a burden?
-Success is, for me, a responsibility, but not a burden. I have always tried to take things in a “sporty” way, as they say; with love. Enjoy every moment, every moment that this life of mine gives me. And whatever recognition is, it is welcome, because it involves a lot of work.
-What do you have in store for the Cordoba public? Any surprises?
-We are going to put on a fun and beautiful show to see. I am lucky to be accompanied by very good musicians, people who play very well and that is very important to make the show. Returning to Cordoba is a pleasure and every time I come it is better: the audience is always very devoted.
-How do you get to the end of this tour? Do you want to finish this “Path” now?
-This tour brought me a lot of satisfaction. People really liked this album, and during the live performances, in addition to singing its songs, I also tour what I have done throughout my career, hits that people like to hear.
-Speaking of your successes, what themes or songs does your audience demand the most and are not missing in your concerts?
-After so much time, what they ask for changes, but the song ‘Cai’ is almost always chanted, it is a bit like my flag, my land, where I come from and it is appreciated everywhere. We go to Burgos and they ask for it too. Although they also claim other of the best known.
-You have said many times that you have managed to feel respected as an artist. What is the most sacrificed thing in this world in which you evolve?
-It’s hard to maintain and that’s what I try to do, always trying to do my best. As for the sacrifices of the profession, I lead a normal life, but above all I try to take care of my voice. I deprive myself of many things, not to go to places where I have to speak loudly. For the rest, I try to rest, sleep my hours and drink a lot of water.
– Have you ever felt pigeonholed? Do you want to explore other styles?
-Even if it doesn’t seem like it, yes, I did. In all my albums there are always different colors. But yes, the way I express myself when I sing is the same, very mine and I have a very marked style.
-How has Niña Pastori evolved professionally and personally since her debut on stage? With everything you know now, with your experiences, would you like to go back or change something?
-I have always been spontaneous and I have let myself be carried away by what I have felt on a musical level, giving what I have felt and being honest, trying to bring the best of myself, although sometimes I have felt the pressure of the industry, of opinions that they try to guide you in one way or another. I think I have evolved for the better, I hope so because that has always been my fight.
“Soon I will present a new project that I have dreamed of being able to realize”
-Do you prefer studio work or live work?
-Both things have their meaning. Studying gives you the opportunity to create, research and try new things; and the living are pure spontaneity, where what is is what comes out and there is no going back. They have this freshness that imposes and it still makes me nervous to go on stage, but I am lucky to have a loyal audience, who support me and give me a lot of love.
-The end of the ‘Camino’ tour, the album ‘Raíz never left’… Does Niña Pastori have other projects in preparation?
-Yes (laughs). A super beautiful, beautiful one that was a dream of mine to realize and that will be known very soon. But for the moment, I can’t say anything.
-How do you manage to reconcile your professional life, which is so prolific, with your personal life?
-I’ve been like this all my life and I’m used to it. Before, when my daughters were little, it was more difficult. But now they are older and I have more space. María is now 12 and Pastora 16. Now they are other ages that also require other types of attention and I try to be there as much as I can, to do my best without losing myself in my job, but, of course, with my daughters in front of me, because they are the most important thing for me.
