Conversations with Willy Calderon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Willy Calderon

Hi Willy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a musician my whole life. I’ve always loved creating through imagination, whether it be music, stories, or writing. My latest album, Project Neon: The Birth Of City Pop Salsa, is really a combination of all my passions, polished throughout the years. It takes 70’s and 80’s Japanese pop music, blends it with 80’s and 90’s neon aesthetics, and fuses it all together with Latin music, which has been my core as a musician.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Time is always a rock in the road. You can catch it early and avoid any issues or you can swerve at the last minute and damage a tire. The timing of this album had to be perfect. There was a growing market and interest for “City Pop,” which was basically 70’s Japanese pop music, but was only popular outside of Japan. Japan had long forgotten those songs and didn’t even know what city pop was. So, the release had to be in the sweet spot.

I also had fears of imitators and other producers getting ahead of my idea, which I had been talking about for a while openly. I released the 1st single, “Stay With Me,” and soon started to see other producers try to hop on the train. So, I decided to release the album earlier than expected to avoid any rug pulls. There had really been no interest in the Japanese Latin scene since the days of the classic Japanese salsa bands in the 80’s and 90’s, but now it seems like everyone is hopping on the train. I feel safe now that I have been credited as the creator of City Pop Salsa or J-Pop Salsa as others like to call it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m particularly proud of Project Neon: The Birth Of City Pop Salsa because it’s opened a whole new door between the Asian and Latin markets. I gloat about the fact that this idea and project came from a real place in my heart and not a trend. Ever since I was a small child, the Japanese culture had always filled me with wonder whether it was anime, ninjas, taiko drumming, or its lore.

When I first visited Japan in 2014, I was instantly convinced that I had been there before maybe spiritually or energetically. I was accepted by the people and made so many friends. The music community welcomed me and appreciated me, so much so, that I returned every year since.

I’m truly grateful that Japan and the surrounding Asian markets have fell in love with my J-Pop Salsa project as I did with their culture.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I only believe that things either happen or don’t happen for one’s own benefit, either short-term or long-term. Luck is an energy. It’s a blessing. Help yourself and you will get help. Luck, in this case, would be a clear vision with high quality standards and a team of passionate and talented people coming together to create a great album with a clear view of the goal. You should leave no room for “bad luck.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.willycalderon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willycalderonofficial
• Facebook: willycalderonjr
• Youtube: willycalderonofficial
• Soundcloud: willycalderonofficial
• Other: https://beacons.ai/willycalderon

Image Credits
Kengo Abe