With a unique cultural blend, Mariana F. de Nograro is a 23-year-old Spanish professional. Born to a Peruvian mother and a Basque-Spanish father, she lived in various places from Spain, where she grew up, to Chile, where she was born through the United States, Canada, Finland, and Korea. Currently in Barcelona, she works at Konga Music Agency, focusing on production and accounting. She dreams of becoming a music supervisor. In this interview, we'll explore her background, challenges, and goals in the music industry.
Where do you currently work and what do you like about your job?
Currently, I work in Barcelona at a creative music agency called Konga. What I like most about my job is being in an environment where we discuss and deal with what I am most passionate about professionally: placing music in films. We discuss library music, musical supervision and collaborate with brands and production companies. The atmosphere is very safe and pleasant and I am fortunate to work with a good team where there are many women. The professional growth I can have in this company is incredible.
When did your interest in the music industry start?
Since I was a child, I have always loved music and movies. I remember when I was about 11 or 12 years old my father showed me the famous Martin Scorsese's movie Goodfellas. In one of the final scenes there's the song Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones and that scene amazed me. I asked my father who put music in movies and he told me it was the director because, clearly, he doesn't work in this industry. Later, during university, I attended a presentation about music supervisors and discovered at the age of 19 that it was what I wanted to do.
What studies did you do?
I studied a degree at Mondragon University called LEINN which focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship. During the degree, you have to build your own company from the first to the fourth year. Later, I did a postgraduate degree in Music Industry management at the University of Barcelona.
What were your first impressions of the music industry?
I started recently but my first impressions were very positive. The interviews I had to take to enter my current company made me see that my boss cared a lot about the team and wanted to choose the right person. This made me feel that the environment was going to be safe and comfortable and it has been like that. Everyone on the team has very good gestures towards each other and the fact that there are many women on the team makes things so much easier.
Do you have favorite singers or songs that have inspired you?
Yes, my favorite bands are the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and I also really like Nina Simone and many other singers. I listen to everything but rock and britpop are my favorite styles.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far?
Sometimes I find it difficult to find special songs within genres that I don't usually listen to. I don't always know how to navigate those territories and there are names and styles that are unfamiliar to me. This is one of the challenges I am currently facing.
How would you describe the Spanish music industry?
I think it is not very accessible on a professional level and relies heavily on contacts. It is quite precarious with low salaries and often payments happen under the table. However, there is an interesting emerging scene. For example, in Barcelona, there is an important jazz and bossa nova scene and in regions like Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country, folk music and local languages are widely heard.
What are your long-term goals in your career?
I want to become a music supervisor and I would like to live in the United Kingdom for a while since a lot of the music I grew up with is English. I don't know how long I will stay in Spain but my goal is to continue in music supervision working with music for film and audiovisuals.
Do you have any suggestions for those who want to start working in this sector?
Yes, it is important to have a clear goal and be proactive. There's no need to be embarrased to talk to everyone, introduce yourself or send e-mails. It is importanto to be brave, to move around, to meet people and to understand the different opportunities that exist in the industry. You have to be willing to start from scratch and work hard to get what you want.
Can you recommend any Spanish songs?
Of course, I recommend Échame a mí la culpa by Puño Dragón and Caminar Bonito by Natalia Lafourcade.
You can listen to the songs on our playlist: