José González

José González is probably a popular name throughout Latin America and in the U.S., but this José González was born in Gothenburg, Sweden to Argentinean parents. A singer-songwriter, González' music has already been featured on The OC and in the famous Sony commercial with the rainbow of bouncing rubber balls. His 2003 debut album, Veneer, was recently reissued in the U.S. to praise from Rolling Stone, Spin and Entertainment Weekly.

His simple, finger-picked acoustic guitar songs with dreamy Nick Drake meets Silvio Rodríguez lyrics have turned the 28 year-old into an international celebrity who is anything but nostalgic. In his live shows, González drops covers of Kylie Minogue, post punkers Joy Division and current electro darlings The Knife.

holamun2 recently interviewed the shy González (via Skype to his mobile phone) just minutes before his soundcheck at the Brooklyn Lyceum. We found out that while he speaks Spanish, he's yet to write lyrics en Español: "For some reason it comes out better when I sing in English, it feels more natural. But I would like at one moment to do songs in Spanish." As soft-spoken off-stage as he is electric on-stage, he added: "When I started writing songs I was younger and it is very common for bands in Sweden to write songs in English. Spanish is just for talking with my family at home. Also, my vocabulary is very limited".

What is not limited is the appeal of González musicianship which landed him a guest spot on British trip-hoppers Zero 7 recent album, a tour with Argentina's Juana Molina, and a chance to share the stage with Cat Power. "That's probably one of the greatest pleasures my music has given me," González recounts, "being able to meet and play with people that are a constant source of inspiration for me".

At the moment, "José González" is finishing the last leg of his US tour and is eager to get back to his home in Stockholm, Sweden to record a new album. "It will be very similar to the first", he says, "more sad but uplifting acoustic songs for the world."