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ose Gonzalez, the Argentine folkie heartthrob raised in Sweden, writes songs about the bloodstains on his walls, covers a song used in a Sony commercial and plays in some of the most respected theaters in the world. His new album, Veneer, is the most subtly infectious debut we've heard in ages, but Jose reminds us to "read the lyrics," because while this album may be ideal make-out music, the stories he's telling are hardly romantic. — Ed Droste

I've now heard three cover songs you have done: the one in the commercial which is a cover of the Knife's "Heartbeats" [the Sony song], a cover of Kylie Minogue and a cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop." Do you do any others?
I sometimes perform "Love Will Tear Us Apart." And I sometimes do "Small Town Boy" as well. I'm planning on having "Tear Drop" on the next album. I like doing covers when I don't have the time or I'm not in the right mindset to write new material.

Do your songs ever get covered?
Yes actually, there is a band from San Francisco that was touring in Gothenborg, and they did a cover of "Lovestain."

Sweden is a musical hot spot lately. Do you hang out with the Knife or Jens Lekman?
I don't hang with them as much now that I'm so busy, but Jens and I have done some shows together and I knew the people in the Knife pre-Knife, because they lived in my neighborhood.

I know you have a large following in Sweden, where you were raised, but how is your fanbase in Argentina?
I was born in Sweden, but both my parents are from Argentina. I've never had an official release in Argentina, but some people know me from the internet. I go to Mendoza a lot and I think within a few years I should be able to go down there and do a few shows, because my set up is very easy. I just tour with a tour manager and sound guy and myself and guitar. No need for big buses.

So which make better lovers, Swedes or Argentines?
Unfortunately, I haven't ever dated any Argentinians so I can't say.

You just recently signed to Mute, home of Liars and Goldfrapp. Will your next album stray away from the acoustic guitar?
I think I'm going to stick to this format. I 've had a lot of time to experiment. I sat down with my computer for awhile and tried some stuff, but I noticed I'm best just with my guitar, singing. It's like that saying: When a dog has a tail down . . .

What's your favorite album to kiss to?
The Go Team.

Really? That's energetic.
If you have it at low volume, it's nice. When you are eating breakfast on a Sunday, then I like slow music.

The OC has used a lot of your music, much of it for romantic teen scenes. Which of your songs do you think is the best for intimate situations?
I guess "Heartbeats," because it's the most positive song. No talk about bloodstains on the wall. In Belgium they asked me to me to do a Valentine's concert in front of 100 couples, but I said no because honestly my music isn't romantic. If people think it's romantic, they aren't really listening to the lyrics.

You write a lot about betrayal.
I usually don't explain my lyrics that much because it's very personal and I like it to be vague, but I chose the title Veneer because of the symbolism of something appearing to be something it is not. The song "Deadweight and Velveteen" is all about presenting something that looks nice but it's not really what it seems.

What did you do to make ends meet before Veneer took off?
I was studying biochemistry and in the middle of getting my PhD. When I released my album in Sweden, I realized I had to stop because I didn't have the time for my studies. I was happy to stop, because it was a hard process and I wasn't getting any results. It came as a relief.

You often get compared to Nick Drake.
I was annoyed with the Nick Drake comparisons in the beginning, because he wasn't actually what inspired and influenced me. My biggest influence growing up was Silvio Rodriguez, a Cuban singer. I was into classical guitar and Cat Power and artists like that.

I can touring is difficult. Your music is so soft, and it's just you and a guitar — clubs tend always to have a few rowdy folks just there to drink.
In the beginning it was really hard. Half the shows, people couldn't hear what I was playing because of the talking, and there were some clubs in Sweden that the people only wanted to drink. But now most people come to the shows just to see me.  n°

click to buy Veneer

© 2006 Ed Droste and Nerve.com.