Osvy Torres is an experienced artist who has made his name known across Peurto Rico performing with various bands. Now a soo act, he aims to win the hearts of Puerto Ricans and listeners around the globe with his captivating vocals and honest songwriting. His single ''Quédate'' is out now and available on all major streaming platforms!
Even with its modern-day energy that seems to fit well with the mainstream sound of today, Osvy Torres’ "Quédate" firmly introduces the talented singer/songwriter as a unique act that undoubtedly has his original approach to music, and it works. ''Quédate'' is a spacious and fairly dreamlike Latin-pop track, minimalist to an extent, but what’s there has been thoughtfully and colorfully incorporated to drive that rhythm and melody through with memorable strength. It’s a hit within itself, easy to vibe to or escape among and that’s before you even get to the hook. ''Quédate'' offers a pretty striking hook, nostalgic in many ways and reminiscent of a simpler time, again offering the crisp and satisfying production style of today. Osvy Torres showcases his own gentle yet passionate and confident performance styles. In addition to how enjoyable and impressive all of this is, that hook effectively seals the deal in making the song stand tall in its own right. Although it’s in Spanish, the verses hold tight to your attention, the delivery is smooth and hypnotic, beautiful to listen to, and the words have such poignancy. When the hook comes alive, the drop here is not overly intense but still, it hits with impact. Well worth a listen or two at volume!
Check out ''Quédate'' here and read more with Osvy Torres below!
How did you get originally started in the music industry?
I started as a guitarist playing for multiple cover bands in the south and southwestern part of Puerto Rico, gaining my first recording, touring, and sponsorship experiences playing with a defunct band that went by the name of Los Chenchos. With them, I opened and co-headlined shows for recognized Puerto Rican bands such as Vivanativa, Zorro Viejo, and Algarete. I left that band on 2012 to pursue more ambitious goals, more in line with who I became as a person, and musician. This got me into playing guitar for more established artists such as Mary Ann Acevedo, NAIZ, Luis Montes from MDO, Kefas, and others. In December 2013, I decided to start my music career as a singer in hopes of someday becoming an established singer/songwriter. Now we’re here!
Was there a specific event/person in your life that made you get into music/ start recording your material?
My maternal grandmother Eldie, her sister Elba and my grandpa Pimpo were the ones that believed and supported me from the start! My music passion started when I was 12 years old. I listened to the Linkin Park Meteora song ‘’Somewhere I Belong’’ and I was just mesmerized by the clean guitar riff and the powerful distorted electric guitar tone! I had finally found something that really made me feel alive. I got a classic guitar that birthday, but I decided to invest all the money received into purchasing my first electric guitar. It wasn’t until Christmas Day until I finally got my first guitar amp, so imagine rocking out without hearing any distorted tones! Years went by and my musical taste expanded to all kinds of rock music. By 2006, I had already written my first songs on English & Spanish. I always hoped someday my songs could be recorded by somebody, but never got the chance until I finally did it myself.
We immediately found that ''Quédate'' captured an alluring melody with hypnotizing vocals! It's what caught, and ultimately kept our attention! What was the overall mood you wanted to set for listeners in this particular track?
Thank you! That’s a huge honor for me! The song ‘’Quédate’’ represents a dark moment in my love life in which I wanted a certain person to stay in my life, thus the name ‘’Quédate’’ meaning stay. What I had in mind mainly in demos and for an official music video was a one on one couple conversation in a dark hotel room. If you analyze the letters you will notice that I am asking someone to stay a few more minutes, then ask the same person to let hours go by because meeting again is sure to be uncertain. The song production is always on a crescendo with the intention that the listeners feel certain tension and emotions like frustration, sadness, desire, lust, and many others felt in this context. There’s a line that says ‘’quédate conmigo como novios o amigos’’, that’s meant to be an indicator that lovers or friends labels don’t matter if you love, lust or desire someone in your life. That line is followed by a third pre-chorus line that says ‘’si quieres quédate’’ meaning that if that person wants to stay, it’s her or his decision, not mine or ours to make. The bridge breaks the ‘’Quédate’’ structure by being more direct with that person by telling him or her that time is passing, that time doesn’t forgive, that time shouldn’t be wasted time, and they should make love. The song ends with the last chorus meant to be more like ‘’Quédate’’ screams. The song fits many situations for men and women alike, that’s why I’m having a unisex approach promoting it now and believe me, I wrote the song for certain situations, and I’m now living a different one where it fits perfectly! The listeners will fabricate a story for the song in their minds depending on what they’re living! That’s the magic of songs!
How did the songwriting and recording process execute for ''Quédate''? Did you fall into any creative slumps while initially writing the track, or does the curation process flow naturally for you?
Early lyrics drafts of ‘’Quédate’’ are very similar to the final lyrics. Not much had to be done in that department, neither on the musical structure. The chords and lyrics are how they were meant to be since writing it back on April 2012, but production was needed to present it as it was meant to be. I can only sing, write lyrics, and play the guitar. I need people to play drums, bass, keyboards, and other things for me. That’s what I love of working with producer George de León Jr. He was the person that finally agreed to record all instruments, my vocals, mix the tracks and make my dream a reality. He created the musical track after I showed him three versions of the song: an electric version of the song played back in 2016, a solo acoustic home recording, and a voice/guitar + cajón performance played in a music store. He respected my song structure all the time, and I really appreciated that. Other producers wanted to chop my song and turn it into another thing! George de León Jr. made my musical vision come true while adding a lead guitar and making some slight changes to turn it into the song it’s today!
But recording this track wasn’t easy at all! I severely injured my vocal cords back in late 2018 / early 2019, and recovery wasn’t friendly to me. Treatment was slow and ineffective making the return of a promising rising artist from Puerto Rico uncertain. I really thought I lost my voice forever, but after going to another doctor, I improved that little bit needed to record this track and get me back into live performing.
Tell our readers more about your definitive aspirations as an artist! What would you say is the ultimate goal, artistic wise?
I want to become one of the most important Latin pop-rock singers and songwriters of the next decade, proof that love songs are still relevant in our society and that underdogs dreams can become a reality, no matter our age or the obstacles we need to overcome.
Recording and releasing more singles are short-term goals, but I want to record a full LP. That would open the doors to more opportunities worldwide and would let me show my true artistical diversity as a musician, a singer, and a songwriter!
If I become established someday, I would love to collaborate with Black Guayaba, Maná, Marco Antonio Solís, Roberto Carlos, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, and others I admire!
Thanks for sharing your recent music here on BuzzMusic! A pleasure to have you here Osvy Torres! Any parting words for the BuzzMusic readers?!
I’m very grateful for this opportunity of being interviewed by BuzzMusic and for sharing a few words with you and your readers. I exhort you all to follow me on my social media sites and stay posted to what’s coming! I do plan to hit the studio on Christmas to hopefully release my next single on the first quarter of 2020. Again, thank you for the opportunity, and hope to meet you all soon!
Connect with Osvy Torres on social media: www.instagram.com/osvytorresmusic