Exclusive Fernando Ortega Interview

April 2005

On 5th April, 2005, word-on-the-web had the privilege of chatting with the humble but talented singer-songwriter Fernando Ortega. Fernando has been in the Christian music industry for many years now and is deservedly receiving regular radio play on stations such as BBC’s Radio 2. It was a pleasure to talk to him, and we hope you enjoy what he had to say.

Your latest album is called "Fernando Ortega". Is there a theme running through it? Did you name it after yourself because it is more personal than the other albums?

The real answer was we couldn’t think of a decent title. I had switched labels from Word to Curb and the songs on this record represent a new direction for me. It just seemed a good opportunity to self-title. This album feels the most complete to me, the most cohesive with how the songs work together, play off of each other - except for my album “Hymns and Meditations” which is all hymns. I think this one feels like the thoughts are complete and the music goes well with the lyrics.

Why did you choose to do a version of the hymn, "Immortal, Invisible", as well as a couple of other hymns on your album?

On every single album I’ve done that. This is my twelfth one. Sometimes I’ve done more - up to five or six hymns on an album. The primary thing for me, one of the things I find most interesting about putting hymns on a record like that, is the juxtaposition of songs that worshipful and devotional with songs about everyday life and how you see the gospel expressing itself in the people you meet in your life and the different scenes. The first song on the album, “California Town”, is about my wife and the town in which we live. I like exploring the tension between faith and everyday life.

The bio on your website says that you have been involved in the music industry for over 15 years. If you could go back and give some advice to yourself when you started, what would you say?

To make sure you’re finished with songs before you let them go down. Do not be in such a hurry to complete projects. On a strictly business side, I would say make sure that you’re surrounded by wise counsellors because even though it’s Christian music there is definitely an aspect to it where people are trying to make money off you. You do have to protect yourself and I didn’t do that going in.

You are about to do a concert in Skegness, UK. What would you say is different about audiences in the US and the UK, and in other parts of the world?

It’s a hard generalisation to make because in the US you get diverse audiences as you go from region to region. I would say the audiences here in the UK are overall much more attentive - a little bit more careful listeners; a little bit more reserved in their response - but they’re very much more responsive afterwards. After, they’re very effusive with their compliments, even though they’ve been quiet during the concert. In South America the entire crowd just talks all the way through everything!

word-on-the-web sends free daily Bible studies to more than 7,000 subscribers all round the world. What part does the Bible play, both in your music ministry and in your personal life?

It’s an interesting time for you ask that. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m absolutely hungry for it because it’s very easy to get dry as you travel around and get out of a routine. On this trip, over the last couple of months, both my wife and I have had … she joined two Bible studies and has really blossomed in both of them. And I’ve begun reading the Bible a lot more than I have for a while.

Any ideas about what you would like to do on your next album?

I’d like to simplify even more instrumentally. This one’s really simple, but I’d like to make things more acoustically and focus on the piano. I’m a pianist. And then, I think still go along the lines of what we did on this last record. A little bit more punch maybe, but then just have plenty of songs that are just piano. On this last record I was pleased with how those songs went lyrically and I’m just going to explore more of that kind of expression.

Is there anywhere our subscribers can see you perform in the next few months?

Visit the website to find out (www.fernandoortega.com), have a look round, sign my guestbook.

Fernando, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us!