From singing background vocals for Shakira and recording house music in New York, to successfully creating 13 solo albums of Latin jazz, pop and soul, Raul Midón has proved he is a lucky man. Born in New Mexico as one of two blind twins, Midón is a man whose glass is always half-full—he is always embracing a bold brand of optimism.
Currently touring the United States in anticipation of his newest album, Lost & Found, Midón makes a stop at Philly’s World Café Live on April 18. He recently sat down with Metro to discuss his new music, Latin roots and more.
Thinking about the arc of your career, you have moved from a place of songwriting on your own to a more collaborative language. What do you like about that collective co-writing mentality?
I’m a solitary guy, I’ve played solo for years. Co-writing is a collaborative effort. It gets me out of my own world, which isn’t easy. Oh yeah, I also co-wrote a song with Lizz Wright called ‘Keep Holding On’. That album ‘Don’t Hesitate’ got lost in the sauce, so to speak. I think it reminds me of college when I sang in ensembles. It’s a group effort I enjoy.
I see that, especially with ‘State of Mind’ and now ‘Lost & Found’, co-writing seems to be your thing. How would you describe the method to that madness?
Back in 2013, I co-wrote with Daniel and David Bailen of the sibling band Bailen, then with Bill Withers on the tune ‘Mi Amigo Cubano.’ He called and asked me to write with him… in Spanish. Those are both on ‘Don’t Hesitate.’ I met Mike Errico in NYC. We came up with what I think is a really good song ‘Next Time’. Since moving to the DMV, we met Wayna, she got me involved in the Recording Academy’s D.C Chapter. It was natural to want to write with her.
There are others. I co-wrote with Joe Mardin — Arif’s son on ‘A World Within a World‘. I should do more of that honestly.
You’re playing Philly two days before 4/20. What can you say about ‘The Ganja Song’ on your upcoming album? I always think of you as humble in lyric and opulent in your music, but ‘The Ganja Song’ is fun and funny.
Thank you. My wife and I are both really funny. She, more so than I. When I first started in NYC, she actually wrote jokes for me, because I was kind of shy. Once I got a laugh, she was fired from the job. SF Chronicle said my virtuosic guitar was matched by my virtuosic wit. We argue about that. She says it’s her wit. Honestly, everyone I’m around is quite witty and we’re always trying to outdo each other. There’s a nice sample of it on my live record, ‘Invisible Chains’.
Why did you want to make ‘Eclectic Adventurist’, your recent all-instrumental album?
Well, in the month the world stood still, March 2020, besides panicking about what would become of me, I had nothing but time. I didn’t really love doing live streaming events, though I did wind up doing some. I have a bunch of instrumental tunes in my songbook. I decided to engage my friends who were also dry-docked and that resulted in a stunning album of duets.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention your contribution to the currently-airing PBS tribute to Joni Mitchell accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra led by Vince Mendoza. Please talk about the power of Joni.
In 2022, Vince called me for that tribute to Joni. Joni is a major influence. She writes deeply personal yet universal songs. I find this to be endlessly fascinating. I got to work with her ex, Larry Klein but have not met her. Vince and I also recently recorded a project with the WDR in Spanish. We are looking for an outlet for that release.
Your ancestry is Argentinian and African-American. You come from New Mexico, and you’re raised Catholic. How does all of that figure into who you are as a lyricist?
I went to a boarding school for the blind that forced religion on its attendees. I rejected it as soon as I could. I’m more of a mystic these days, but the world is challenging any beliefs in the existence of something like a deity.
We spoke a bunch at the top of your solo career. Other than aged, who is Raul Midon now that he wasn’t when he started?
Wow. Great question. Who am I? I’m an engineer now. I even have a Grammy certificate for that one. I’m much the same as I was at my start, a striver. I’m ambitious but it’s not healthy to live life that way so I’m getting more and more into accepting myself as I am. I’ll never see in this lifetime. There might be a song in that.
Raul Midón will perform at World Café Live Thursday, April 18. For information and tickets, visit worldcafelive.com
