"I don't know if it's a state of mind but I do think it's more than a musical genre. There is a lot of passion and truth in the blues."

Pedro Villarejo: The Art of Music

Pedro Villarejo is an artist from Spain who has illustrated comics, children's books, poetry, posters and television series among other things. His artistic training is self-taught and his influences are multiple, from the most classic painting to the craziest cartoons, through literature, cinema or comic.

Pedro Villarejo talks about the Blues, Comix, Elvis, Hendrix, Far West, and his artwork.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music and Rock counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I believe in the power of music in general, not only of rock, to unite people, regardless of their condition. Music can make everyone feel the same emotion no matter how different we are.

What were the reasons that you started the artistic/comic researches? Where does your creative drive come from?

I suppose that if you ask this to anyone who has an artistic vocation he will tell you from ever. I don't know where it came from or what prompted me to do it, but I don't remember a time in my life when I wouldn't like to draw or write.

How does music affect your mood and inspiration? What do you miss most nowadays from the music of past?

I am sure there are great bands today, but the truth is that I still listen to the same music as 30 years ago. The great classics are the ones that continue to inspire me. And yes, I often go to them to stimulate my imagination in moments of creative blockage.

If you could change one thing in the comic world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

If I could change something, I would definitely avoid the appearance of censorship in general. The Comic Code in the USA, the censorship of the Franco dictatorship in Spain... who knows what direction the comic would have taken without the appearance of censorship.

What touched (emotionally) you from Elvis Presley and Mick Jagger?

Elvis, Mick Jagger, Freddy Mercury and so many others ... His strength, his energy on stage. His ability to move masses and captivate generations.

"I believe in the power of music in general, not only of rock, to unite people, regardless of their condition. Music can make everyone feel the same emotion no matter how different we are."

(Artworks by Pedro Villarejo / Bob Dylan, Mark Twain, Jimi Hendrix & Elvis Presley)

What would you like to ask Bob Dylan and Mark Twain?

Tom Sawyer is one of my favorite books. I wouldn't know what to ask Mark Twain. I think I would sit next to him and just listen to his stories. Actually, I'm a shy person. If I met Bob Dylan, I probably wouldn't ask him anything XDDD.

Do you consider the Blues a specific music genre and artistic movement or do you think it’s a state of mind?

I don't know if it's a state of mind but I do think it's more than a musical genre. There is a lot of passion and truth in the blues.

What is the impact of music and comic culture to the racial, political, and socio-cultural implications?

I don't know if I am able to answer such a complex question. Of course, as a means of expression, art can have a strong impact on society, positive or negative, but I don't usually reflect on this kind of thing, I'm just a cartoonist who likes to tell stories, not someone who intends to change the world.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

Definitely living a day of adventure in the Far West should be the most exciting!

Pedro Villarejo - Home

Artworks by Pedro Villarejo / Dr. John