Albert Peiró

Musician — Barcelona

01Profile

A Albert Peiró Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?

Albert Peiró aka Conttra, Barcelona.

What do you do? 
Moonlighting artist.

Describe your style in three words? 
Disco pop alternative.

What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
TAME IMPALA at BBK 2016. The place it's held in Kobetamendi is incredible and with Kevin Parker's soundtrack, visuals and the festival atmosphere, it all combined to create the perfect atmosphere. I consider it, if not the best, then one of the best concerts of my life.



If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?

Although we do not coincide much in style, Ferran Palau and El Petit de Cal Eril would be the best combo nationwide with whom I would be cool to share a line up, I would surely learn a lot in many aspects.

Which subcultures have influenced you?


I have never felt part of a specific tribe, according to what I see on the street and live in my day to day, I create my own style, although what I feel most comfortable with comes from the mod, skate and urban retro culture. As far as music is concerned, records and electronics are the styles that move me the most, they give me a lot of freedom.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Gideon Sundbäck, I have a couple of issues to discuss with him.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The elegance and aura of Sala Apolo (BCN) makes playing on its stage very special, a dream come true for a Barcelona native like me. However, playing at La Riviera was spectacular, we opened for Wolf Alice, the concert hall was ready to burst and the audience in Madrid always makes you feel very comfortable even if they don't even know who you are.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
David Bowie, of course. For me, a chameleonic being who was able to become who he really was thanks to music, he revolutionized the concept of the artist. He has always been present in our home, he is already a family symbol.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?


'Why Can’t I Be You?' by The Cure. I must admit that before I listened to my father with his musical recommendations, I was very contaminated by what people listened to in my school, where Spotify did not exist, and you relied on the downloads in the eMule to save the songs in your MP3. I’m going to keep secret what were, probably, my first tracks on repeat to say one by The Cure, with which my father tried to redirect my tastes.

A song that defines the teenage you?


Anything from Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand. The groups that encouraged me to want to be like them one day. During my first time in London, I bought the just-released 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand' which marked my musical self.

One record you would keep forever?


'Chaleur Humaine' by Christine and The Queens. I am in love with Héloïse's work. Each new release surprises me more and shows me how great he is but the first album is incredible.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
'
Manel' by Formigues. After Manel's last album I decided that it was time to eliminate bad habits of musical consumption for me. They made it very easy, it must also be said... and that is the reason why I choose 'Formigues' since it has been the responsible for many forums with my friends in order to understand what they were trying to tell us with this song.

A song you wished you had written?


'DARE' by Gorillaz. If David Bowie didn't exist, Damon Albarn would be the answer to all my ills. Because of my great affection for all his projects and his imperative need to evolve and experiment, I choose one of my greatest musical references today.

Best song to turn up loud?


'We're Not Broken (Discoholic Remix)' by isle&fever, Discoholic. One grey day, isle&fever appeared by surprise in a playlist and with this remix it became clear.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?


'Globo' by Sen Senra. With this guy I have mixed feelings. For now, it is on my list of references for when I have to sort out my thoughts.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?


'Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough' by Michael Jackson.

Best song to end an all-nighter?


'What You Won’t Do for Love' by Michael Boothman.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'berlin U5' by Zahara. If that Zahara took me aside and gave me a couple of tips that would not be bad at all. I wish I could meet her one day and learn more about her. How she lives and what goes through her mind when taking the next step.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?

Albert Peiró aka Conttra, Barcelona.

What do you do? 
Moonlighting artist.

Describe your style in three words? 
Disco pop alternative.

What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
TAME IMPALA at BBK 2016. The place it's held in Kobetamendi is incredible and with Kevin Parker's soundtrack, visuals and the festival atmosphere, it all combined to create the perfect atmosphere. I consider it, if not the best, then one of the best concerts of my life.



If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?

Although we do not coincide much in style, Ferran Palau and El Petit de Cal Eril would be the best combo nationwide with whom I would be cool to share a line up, I would surely learn a lot in many aspects.

Which subcultures have influenced you?


I have never felt part of a specific tribe, according to what I see on the street and live in my day to day, I create my own style, although what I feel most comfortable with comes from the mod, skate and urban retro culture. As far as music is concerned, records and electronics are the styles that move me the most, they give me a lot of freedom.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Gideon Sundbäck, I have a couple of issues to discuss with him.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The elegance and aura of Sala Apolo (BCN) makes playing on its stage very special, a dream come true for a Barcelona native like me. However, playing at La Riviera was spectacular, we opened for Wolf Alice, the concert hall was ready to burst and the audience in Madrid always makes you feel very comfortable even if they don't even know who you are.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
David Bowie, of course. For me, a chameleonic being who was able to become who he really was thanks to music, he revolutionized the concept of the artist. He has always been present in our home, he is already a family symbol.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?


'Why Can’t I Be You?' by The Cure. I must admit that before I listened to my father with his musical recommendations, I was very contaminated by what people listened to in my school, where Spotify did not exist, and you relied on the downloads in the eMule to save the songs in your MP3. I’m going to keep secret what were, probably, my first tracks on repeat to say one by The Cure, with which my father tried to redirect my tastes.

A song that defines the teenage you?


Anything from Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand. The groups that encouraged me to want to be like them one day. During my first time in London, I bought the just-released 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand' which marked my musical self.

One record you would keep forever?


'Chaleur Humaine' by Christine and The Queens. I am in love with Héloïse's work. Each new release surprises me more and shows me how great he is but the first album is incredible.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
'
Manel' by Formigues. After Manel's last album I decided that it was time to eliminate bad habits of musical consumption for me. They made it very easy, it must also be said... and that is the reason why I choose 'Formigues' since it has been the responsible for many forums with my friends in order to understand what they were trying to tell us with this song.

A song you wished you had written?


'DARE' by Gorillaz. If David Bowie didn't exist, Damon Albarn would be the answer to all my ills. Because of my great affection for all his projects and his imperative need to evolve and experiment, I choose one of my greatest musical references today.

Best song to turn up loud?


'We're Not Broken (Discoholic Remix)' by isle&fever, Discoholic. One grey day, isle&fever appeared by surprise in a playlist and with this remix it became clear.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?


'Globo' by Sen Senra. With this guy I have mixed feelings. For now, it is on my list of references for when I have to sort out my thoughts.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?


'Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough' by Michael Jackson.

Best song to end an all-nighter?


'What You Won’t Do for Love' by Michael Boothman.

Any new bands you are into at the moment?
'berlin U5' by Zahara. If that Zahara took me aside and gave me a couple of tips that would not be bad at all. I wish I could meet her one day and learn more about her. How she lives and what goes through her mind when taking the next step.

 

05Videos

Conttra & Strange Frequency | Bicarbonato (2022)