TL;DR
- El Roig signed a record deal after a breakup.
- He faced bullying for being gay in school.
- His music reflects personal experiences and relationships.
- He moved to London to escape homophobia.
- El Roig aims to inspire others through his songs.
Meet El Roig, the Catalan folk pop sensation who turned heartbreak into a record deal. Yes, you read that right. After getting dumped in January, this 25-year-old found himself in a serendipitous situation that would change his life forever. “I got dumped in January – and it led to me getting a record deal. I’m not even joking!” he shares with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Picture this: a night out in London with friends, drowning sorrows in drinks. As the night wore on, a chance encounter at a bus stop led to a conversation with a guy who just happened to work at a record label. Thanks to a supportive friend who believed in his talent, El Roig’s music was played, meetings were scheduled, and before he knew it, he was signed. Talk about a glow-up!
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for El Roig. Growing up in a small town near Barcelona, he faced bullying for being openly emotional and for expressing himself through music. “I was bullied for being in touch with my feelings, for writing songs and playing them,” he recalls. The rumors and mockery only fueled his determination to succeed. “It made me tougher. I’m feisty – they’d make fun of me, but then, I’d make fun of them.”
El Roig’s journey to self-acceptance wasn’t easy. “At 12 or 13, as I began puberty, I’d cry myself to sleep. I’m not religious, not even baptised, but I would pray to something for me to wake up and be different,” he admits. Thankfully, by the time he was 14, he embraced his identity and came out to his family at 16. “There was so much homophobia around me,” he reflects, yet he found solace in the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene of Barcelona, hitting the gay bars and reveling in the freedom they offered.
His music is a reflection of his life experiences, filled with observations on love, relationships, and the world around him, all wrapped in a melancholic, cinematic style. El Roig draws inspiration from legendary artists like Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, aiming to be as authentic and truthful in his storytelling. “My songs help me process things,” he says, and it’s clear that he has a lot to say.
Now, as he embarks on this exciting new chapter in his career, El Roig hopes to inspire others who have faced similar struggles. “I’m more or less completely comfortable with myself now, but I’m sure I still carry shame. I overanalyze everything,” he admits, highlighting the ongoing journey of self-acceptance many LGBTQ+ individuals face.
As he continues to make waves in the music industry, El Roig is a testament to the power of resilience and creativity. He’s not just making music; he’s making a statement. So, keep an eye on this rising star – he’s just getting started, and the world is ready to listen.
To read more about El Roig’s inspiring journey, check out the full interview in Attitude Uncut, available on Apple News+ and the Attitude app.
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