At HIGHXTAR. we celebrate the ‘back to routine’ with our third Digital Cover with one of the most promising young artists of the moment: Natalia Lacunza. At only 23 years old, the artist has become one of the figures with the most potential on the national scene.

After the success of her recent album “Tiene que ser para mí”, Natalia has been nominated by LOS40 Music Awards 2022 for Spain Best Album and Best Collaboration for her song “Premio de consolación” with Leiva. And if that wasn’t enough, she has just announced new tour dates.

The bedroom pop singer met with the HIGHXTAR. team to talk about her professional career, mental health, love and her plans for the future. Taking advantage of the occasion, we shot an editorial in which Natalia shines in adidas, Diesel and TOUS jewellery.

Highxtar (H) – A question we miss these days: How are you, but for real?

Natalia Lacunza (N) – Well… I am! living day by day, giving thanks for the good things always, but also quite burnt out with some things… I think I need a break that I honestly don’t know when it will come, but I hope soon. In the meantime, always being grateful for the luck I have and working accordingly.

H – Since your exit from the OT programme, you haven’t stopped making music. Where is the balance between enjoying work and rest?

N – You beat me to it… I think I’m at the point where rest is taking a back seat because I’m aware of the point I’m at, and it takes a lot of perseverance to keep everything moving forward and upward. But it’s very important to rest… I try at least to have a couple of days of not thinking about music, to oxygenate the brain.

H – Now that you’re back in Madrid after the summer, do you think it’s really necessary to stop from time to time?

N – Yes, there comes a point where it’s not even a conscious decision, sometimes the body stops you if you’re not giving it what it needs. It’s difficult to combine this profession with rest, especially if you’re not a superstar.

H – We are a generation marked by dissatisfaction and self-demanding. Why do you think this is?

N – Well, the overproduction to which society is subjected; how quickly you have to have new things, the more you produce the more valid you are, you always have to be thinking about the next thing… the era of immediacy has taken its toll on us and it is taking its toll.

H – In your debut album “It has to be for me” you trace your different moods over the last two years. How have you evolved emotionally since then?

N – Puf… sometimes I don’t know if I’m evolving or devolving, because there are things that I still get stuck with, but I do feel that I’ve learned a lot to relativise that stuckness, to understand that an emotion is not forever, and that I can change the perspective with which I look at that emotion. I think that’s the most important thing I’ve learned. And to trust that my instincts are usually right… no more self-censorship around here, I’ve learned to listen to myself more, and that’s been very important.

H – “Social media isn’t real” said Bella Hadid on Instagram – do you agree?

N – Well, of course. Obviously I don’t post the reality of how I can be on the inside, I show what I want others to see, even if sometimes I am sincere. It would be very complicated to share absolutely everything, I would feel weird. Luckily the reality is known by the people who love me and who are close to me, which is the most important thing, to have a strong circle of support in your day to day life.

H – Many of your colleagues have left the networks in order to take care of their mental health. Have you ever considered leaving them for a while?

N – Well no… but because I don’t take it so seriously either, I’m already cured of my fears and I don’t even read the bad comments, it’s as if I’m just passing through them. But it’s been a long process to get to this point, I can understand that many people are overwhelmed by it… but I think you have to learn to relativise, look at what interests you and ignore the rest. After all, there can’t be any truth in a negative comment from someone who doesn’t know you at all… so it’s not even worth reading it.

H – Do you often give your opinion publicly, and do you think that people with a lot of influence should be a loudspeaker?

N – I think it’s fine for everyone to go as far as they want to go, we can’t ask all influential people to have a degree in political science either, but I am in favour of giving your opinion in a natural way, especially when it comes to issues that directly threaten people’s dignity.

H – As can be sensed in the album, you have had some bad love experiences. As a result of this, have you been afraid to fall in love again?

N – Puf… hahahahahah, Yes. The truth is that a bad experience can close you inside for a long time… I’ve noticed how I don’t trust sharing my intimacy, I’m afraid of it. I have assumed loneliness as a defence mechanism, and I don’t like it at all. Because I want to fall in love! I love love, it’s beautiful. But sometimes I feel like I have to glue something that is broken before having another relationship.

H – The different types of relationships in society are becoming more and more visible. What do you think of the concept of love today?

N – Well, the truth is that I don’t know, right now I’ve got a lot on my mind about this subject… but, well, to love someone in a genuine way, to share your things, to feel that you’re going through life high… it’s incredible. And that’s how it’s always been, isn’t it? And forever too. As for relationship models, I have no experience with anything other than monogamy, but I guess as long as the agreement between both parties is transparent and respectful, anything goes.

H – There are more and more female bands, what position would you say women are in within the music scene?

N – Women’s bands were already there! Now, for whatever reason, they are becoming more and more visible. I guess the promoters, the media, are aware of the obvious misogyny that was (and is) in the industry and I think it’s a question of having a bit of shame. If you ignore this fact you are participating in the system that makes us invisible, maybe they don’t even do it out of conscience but out of pressure. Be that as it may, keep it that way.

“My Balenciaga Cagole was the first really expensive thing I ever bought”

Natalia Lacunza

H – What was the first garment you decided to invest a lot of money in?

N – My Balenciaga Cagole was the first really expensive thing I bought, it was the best day of my life. I haven’t taken it off since, no joke. I have always been very attracted to fashion, this last year I decided to go a step further and start to really find out about things, to play more, to invest too… it is something that makes me happy and I enjoy it a lot. I also have an incredible team of Alfredos who inspire me and teach me a lot.

H – What role does fashion play in your life?

N – Well, it’s an asset that completes my imagination as an artist and as a person. It’s an extension of my personality, it’s like adding points to your body language, literally. When I dress up and I like the way I look, my attitude changes completely. I feel stronger and more fun, it helps me with my self-esteem and allows me to play and imagine the energies I would like to convey to the outside world.

H – Which brands best define your style?

N – I would say … Balenciaga to the top, Heaven by Marc Jacobs, there is a Spanish brand called Boltad that drives me crazy, I really like Bluemarine this year … I don’t know, I can say things that I like, but I would need external support to answer this question.

H – What is the last search you did on Google?

N – I was looking for something about Princess Margaret, I’m watching “The Crown” and I keep looking for things about the royal family of England. Lol. It entertains me a lot.

H – Have you ever searched for yourself on the Internet?

N – Sure; who wouldn’t… hahahaha no, seriously, to see news or press stuff, like this for example… I’ll google natalia lacunza highxtar.

H – What’s the weirdest thing you’ve read about yourself?

N – Mmmm… a fanfic. I can’t comment much more because I only read one page and it gave me such a weird feeling that I had to take it down.

H – What is the last YouTube video you watched?

N – One about the behaviour of cats, I must always be informed, so that my son doesn’t stop loving me…

H – A song you can’t stop listening to.

N – Ultrasolo remix 🙁

H – Last project you want/can share.

N – Before the end of the year a remix is going to be released that I’m very excited about with an incredible girl who is a reference for all the music in the country… but I can’t say who, surprise!

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Photography: Alex Gendro
Creative & Styling: Alfredo Santamaría
Cover: Artwork by Ángel Corral
Make Up: Bosco Montesinos
Styling Assistant: Alfred Vivas
Photo Assitants: Jara García Azor
Interview: Mar Piera
Production: HIGHXTAR.lab.
Production Assitant: Paloma Molinos
Vídeo: ODYSSEY
Looks: adidas, TOUS y Diesel

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Special Thanks: @ifyoulikecars