They both had it in mind and now it is a reality. Juanjo Bona and Martin Urrutia have launched The Flash, a collaboration that has delighted its fervent followers. Produced by the duo Hidrogenesse and with a truly particular sound, the song reflects their story perfectly.
This is what they confess when they receive BLUPER, on a stormy morning, like in the song’s video clip. A piece directed by Fede Maniá, in which it is also well represented the sentimental relationship that the viewers of Operation Triumph saw emerge strictly live.
At no time, not even when The Flash It was just an idea, they thought of the song “as something individual”, something that “the other person would adapt to”. “It has been a job of putting ideas together, of moving forward as a group all the time, There has been no crash,” comments Urrutia, referring, at the same time, to this joint work with Hidrogenesse.
Eight months have passed since the Academy of O.T. will close its doors. A brutal exhibition platform, but after which there seems to be a huge void called the ‘music market’. “The program does not prepare you for that, but the exercise is in yourself. In that, when you go out, you have to take the chestnuts out of the fire,” Bona points out.
The future of the Zaragoza native, who a week ago was giving the proclamation of the Pilar Festival with Naiara, involves recording an album whose title he cannot reveal, although he has no shortage of desire. Martin’s, for resuming his strictly musical path after participating in Mariliendrea series that will soon be seen on atresplayer. And, speaking of Atresmedia, He wouldn’t mind going into Your face sounds familiar to me: “I would be willing.”
When listening The Flashthe first thing that becomes clear is that it is not a commercial song. Is this premeditated?
Martin Urrutia. We didn’t want to do something non-commercial. Yes, something different, special. From the hand of Hidrogenesse, who have a personal style.
Juanjo Bona. We wanted something different. A shame it’s not commercial, it’s what we expose ourselves to, we don’t care.
Martin Urrutia. It also has its catchy point.
In your ‘fandom’ there was a lot of talk about this collaboration, whether it was done or not. When exactly did it arise?
J. It seems not, but the ‘fandom’, when it starts talking on networks, gets a lot right. It’s like they read our minds. This was halfway through the tour, more or less, I think.
M. It was one day when we were at home, it was raining a lot. There was a storm, like today. We were inspired and thought about the idea of making a song together, what that concept would be like. The storm defined us both quite a bit, the burden and the calm. From that point, we began to pull the thread. Universal liked the idea.
J. Yes, we wanted to tell a story, taken to another way of writing lyrics. Hidrogenesse understood this perfectly. We are happy with the result.
How do you get in contact with Hidrogenesse?
M. We already had them quite located. Furthermore, we had that clear idea of doing something different, maybe a little danceable.
J. We made a video call with them. On the screen, the two of us appeared and the two of them appeared below, as if we were analogues. They understood everything perfectly. First, we did everything telematics. Then, we were able to record with them. We were in his house, with his devices, in his laboratory. A ten.
Martin: “The storm defined us both quite a bit, the burden and the calm. From that point, we began to pull the thread”
Has it been difficult for you to join points of view, to agree?
J. We have agreed on everything, really. At no time did we think of this as something individual and that the other would adapt. We wanted to do something different, ours.
M. It has been a joint effort for the four of us to put together ideas. They moved in a group all the time, so there was no crash. We also agreed a lot with the director of the video clip, Fede Maniá, who captured everything brilliantly.
Has Amaia Romero given you her opinion? In networks it was commented that The Flash It sounded a lot like her…
M. Yes. I met her just three days before she left. She also released songs, Tocotóand we showed each other what each one sounded like. He liked it a lot, he thought it was special.
Juanjo Bona and Martin Urrutia, in their session with EL ESPAÑOL
It’s been a few months since you left the Academy.. How is the exposure given by the program managed? In your case, not only on an individual level, but as a couple.
J. At first, it’s hard. Little by little, you begin to understand how your life has changed. How everything is different as a couple and individually. Keeping our people in mind, not losing our identity. And, of course, giving importance to mental health. Going to psychologists, treating ourselves, being with our old friends and catching up on our lives now. Everything so that there is no wall between your life before O.T. and now.
Do you think that, after that exhibition, O.T. Does it give you the tools to launch yourself into the always complicated music industry?
M. When you enter O.T.you’re not thinking about that. You want to live the experience as much as possible, have your mind focused there. When you leave, the new stage begins, you live your real life. It is difficult for the 16 in the promotion to be at the same point. Facing that is difficult, but you have to work with yourself, on your personal project. Without forgetting where you come from, of course.
J. O.T. It doesn’t prepare you for that, really. The exercise is that, when leaving, one has to take oneself out of the fire. Wake up and study, finding out things. It’s good that the program doesn’t take us in that direction either. They lead us, but we have to face reality to learn.
O.T. returns in September 2025, with the more ‘rested’ format. Do you feel that this gives prominence to your edition?
J. Yes, it’s going to be almost two years now. It will give time for the people who have gone faster to advance with their projects and for those of us who are slower to be able to get them out too. It’s very nice.
Martin Urrutia and Juanjo Bona competed in the latest edition of ‘OT’ THE SPANISH
Do you think there is a bit of saturation of talent shows on our TV?
J. Maybe a little bit, yes. It is true that O.T.and I have been on other programs, it gives so much importance to ‘talent’, to the contestants, and there is such investment… It is a format that really does bet on the artist and the launch of their careers. I think other ‘realities’ don’t and they focus more on other things.
Juanjo, you launched My Auntsin the key of jota, so typical of your land. Is it difficult to spread folklore among young people?
J. It’s complicated. It is true that good work has been done in many folklores, but in some it is more visible than in others. In my case, I’m talking to you about the jota. Of course, teaching something that no one has ever heard is complex. Adapting that to the structures of current pop is difficult. My way of being is not to disrespect anything, I want to fuse folklore without breaking the foundation.
Martin: “I longed to be in something like ‘Mariliendre’. I’m looking forward to it coming out, the musical numbers are going to make people talk”
The premiere of Mariliendre, Martin. What have you learned from a shoot of such caliber?
M. It has been a very strong experience, which I also experienced as soon as I left OT. It was a roller coaster. The experience of being in an audiovisual project of that caliber, with that team and that cast. I longed to be in something like that. I’m looking forward to it coming out, the musical numbers will get people talking.
Have you shared feelings with other contestants about the experience O.T.?
J. When you go out, many approach you because you know that you understand them perfectly. Almost unintentionally, there is a link. There are situations that neither your friends nor your family understand 100%, so it helps to share it with them. The other day we had dinner with Miki Núñez and he told us internal experiences.
Martin Urrutia and Juanjo Bona, during the interview THE SPANISH
M. When you go out, the people you usually meet first are people who have been in OT. Talking to them, that you have followed them before, that they talk to you about you, even with admiration… It is a relief, because they understand you.
If you are invited to the Academy next year, what advice would you give the kids?
M. Calm down. Let them enjoy the experience, but don’t force themselves to take advantage of it because it is impossible. Let them be aware that there has been a huge casting and they are lucky to be there, but let them live, because after O.T. It’s another life. When they are there what they have to think about is the classes they have and living the Academy life.
J. And in enjoying and nothing more. In being children.
Juanjo: “The other day we had dinner with Miki Núñez and he told us internal experiences”
Have you been bitten by the television bug to participate in other types of programs?
J. Right now I’m working on the album and I want to focus on that, which makes me very excited. I even want to tell you what it’s called, but I can’t. I’m on track, I see the tour and everything that’s coming. Obviously it is something that I love, my personality has a lot of television, but I have chosen the musical path. I never close myself, just as I don’t close myself to interpretation, to continuing to train…
M. Now I am focused on another type of work. After the series, I’m going to focus on music, although now I’m a little behind. In a future album, EP or ‘singles’… In my music. In the long term, I think so. A Your face sounds familiar to me or so I would be willing to do.
And what do you think of Benidorm Fest? It is true that this year the Academy still caught you, but are you considering it in the future?
J. I like it. In the end, it occurred to me to write a song defending my folklore so that not only Spain would see it, but the whole world would see it. But, not right now. I don’t see it.
M. Me, the same. It is something very special for people who want to make themselves known, but, right now, in my role, no.
Martin Urrutia and Juanjo Bona pose for EL ESPAÑOL
I suppose you have heard projects from fellow editors. Which ones caught your attention the most?
M. I was also going to say Salma, her last ‘single’ really touched me. Ruslana has a huge impact on me, she has evolved… Since she came out she hasn’t stopped. It’s admirable.
J. I love what Salma is doing. And I also like Cris a lot, he has a talent…