Lanzarote-born creator, composer, and producer Alejandro, ‘Ale’, Acosta has serious pedigree: three Latin Grammy nominations and a career that began in the early 2000s. He describes his new project as a constant challenge.
The seeds of Ale Acosta’s new electronic-focused direction were planted in 2008 after an exhibition at the Puerto Calero Art Gallery. ‘I’d just closed a chapter with Mojo Project, which was more funk-led, and Nita and I were already starting to lay the groundwork for Fuel Fandango, which draws on flamenco-fusion,’ he recalls. ‘Unbeknownst to me, that performance marked the birth of the Ale you see today.’
‘In fact,’ he adds, my new project, El Porvenir (The Future), began in 2024 and I’m already working on pieces for Volume Two. It’s the sound of the new me, carrying my roots into how I make music.’
On his YouTube channel (@AleAcostaMusic), you can see how he blends sophisticated electronic soundscapes with unapologetically local, ethnographic imagery like vine pruning, Carnival, Canarian wrestling (lucha canaria), alongside iconic locations like Plaza del Carmen and Famara; and legendary figures like Doña Valentina from Sabinosa. El Porvenir also features collaborations with artists like Juancho Marqués and Çantamarta.
When asked the obvious question, ‘So, what’s next on the horizon?’ He laughs. ‘I ask myself the same thing every morning… That’s actually the title of the first single I released to frame my new direction with El Porvenir, which is my first solo project.’
‘My connection to Lanzarote is emotional, but entirely real,’ he continues. ‘My very first production studio was even called Famara. I live in the Sierra de Madrid now, I have two children and I’m putting down roots, but I travel back to my island regularly.’ He pauses. ‘My origins push me to explore new languages and test my limits with every song. I find the process fascinating and absolutely love it. Of course, I draw on everything I’ve done before, but approaching each new track still feels like the butterflies of a first kiss.’
Flanked by two percussionists, a large video screen, stage lights, various electronic ‘bits of kit,’ as he affectionately calls them, Ale Acosta delivers a powerful live performance at events like Sonidos Líquidos. ‘With electronic music, you take pre-recorded elements, but the magic happens on stage where you mix and create in real time. It’s all about connecting with the audience, with the help of visuals too.’
‘Right now, I’m focused on exploring the duality of belonging to two places. That permanent longing for the place you’re not in – la magua!. My sound is essentially the same, but I love incorporating lots of percussion, voices, and merengue, a rhythm that was central to my childhood.’
