duendita: Birdwatching & Introspection
Candace Camacho, also known as duendita, is an open soul. The Queens-raised artist is receptive and appreciative of the world around her, allowing her to create music that is both stunning and sincere. Her lyrics transparently tell of the complexities that exist in her relationships, both with herself and loved ones, while also revealing the ways in which she interacts with her surroundings.
Birdwatching is just one way that duendita expresses her gratitude. As she mentions her love of the hobby multiple times while we chat, we can see how paying so much detail to the little animals can breed such introspection and a feeling of oneness which is very prevalent in her latest album direct line to My Creator. An album that dons a fitting cover, showcasing a small red, black, and white bird on a windowsill.
duendita also exudes a genuine, welcoming nature. Camacho is not trying to hide any part of herself or mask herself. Instead, she is fearlessly true to herself, which invites a community of great friends who appreciate her brightness, sincerity, and work.
direct line to My Creator, her most recent project, is one that speaks of spirituality, police violence, navigating confusing romantic relationships, and society’s hatred of women. The vulnerability that exists in duendita’s art is something we need more of in music, and we cannot wait to hear what she drops next.
Where is your favorite place in Queens and why is it special to you?
My favorite place in Queens is probably Forest Park. It’s a big park that combines a lot of different communities together and joins us together. And I birdwatch, so I like to go there and birdwatch.
What is your creative process like?
I like experimentation. I like to play around with sounds and see what arises or practice and see what arises. I like to experiment with my instruments, with samplers, machines. And just mess around and make what I can.
We heard your name comes from the concept of duende created by Garcia Lorca. How has his writing impacted you and why did you decide to make duendita your stage name?
Lorca’s writing had a big impact on me growing up, especially because he was a queer hero. I love his plays, his drawings, his essays, his speeches. And it’s always spoken to me as an artist because of its passion and its ability to just engage my mind. And duendita was a high school nickname. It just came from the essay because we read it. Then it just stuck. I put it on my SoundCloud, and it just stuck with me.
What was your experience like at NYU’s Clive Davis?
It was okay! Hahaha. Especially because it was a private school and there were a lot of White people and a lot of pressure to conform or perform in a certain way and have a hit song. And it’s just like what? That’s not why I make music or what I do. But I learned a lot. I learned how to support myself with production skills, marketing skills, and speak to journalists and everything they taught us hahaha.
Who do you make your music for?
I guess anyone who wants to listen. Lately, it’s been a private practice. I haven’t released much. I’ve just been making music for myself and like friends that I’ll exchange a song a week with. And different writing groups I’m in, I guess. And before [Covid-19], it was super collaborative. So I was making music with friends in a physical space and it felt like we were making music for each other. And making it to survive in different aspects. So I guess the answer to that question is constantly changing depending on what’s going on.
Has it been more difficult for you to make music during the pandemic?
I would say definitely. I find it hard to find the will to get up out of my bed hahaha. But I’m moving into a new place, so I’m trying to be positive, and use that space to feel the power of practicing.
When did you begin your spiritual journey?
It always feels brand new hahaha. It always feels like yesterday. But maybe when I was like twenty-two or something, I just started thinking about the world differently and about my role in it and how I engage with it. And really critically thinking about it in a different way.
How would you describe your spirituality?
I like planet earth haha. And there’s definitely something beyond this. And it definitely has purpose and has beauty that I am in awe of all of the time and all of creation and other creatures on this planet. And totally surrendering to the fact that I am a small part of what is going on here. Yeah, that’s how I would describe it.
How does the natural world influence your music?
Like I said, I’m a birdwatcher, so I love to go outside. I love to record outside: music and also field recordings. I love being portable. All my instruments are portable. I love water as well. Like bodies of water. I’m constantly recording and capturing. And also doing that in analog ways like without any instruments just my body as an instrument. And trying to feel the frequency between different energies like that.
Has it ever been difficult for you to be so deeply personal and emotional in your music?
No, never. I’ve always been outspoken. And like open. I guess it’s sometimes weird, but my music is my most vulnerable extension of me and I kinda like it. I kinda like self expression and believe in the freedom of it. I also love to cry. Actually, I don’t love to cry, but I cry a lot hahah. So I’m very expressive in that way.
What’s your favorite memory from performing?
There was this one night in Hamburg, Germany with my friend Noah because he plays bass in my band. And our luggage got delayed from our flight, so we didn’t have our gear. And it was the awesomest concert ever haha. And I didn’t have any clothes either, so I was wearing Noah’s clothes, so we had malfunctions. We went out and got gear, and we could return it the next day. You know, trying to make it work. We just had a really good show. There were a lot of people. And I got to see Hiatus Kaiyote, and they’re my favorite band, and they also played at the same festival. It was like a dream come true, and a fabulous time. I miss touring so much. It was so much fun.
Do you have a favorite song that you’ve made?
I really like my unreleased music. I have a lot of music that I made in Berlin that I haven’t shown anyone. Maybe my new song “Mind” is one of my favorites.
What do you like about it?
It’s just so me and so like wow I made this haha. I just like that it came from a very innocent, sweet place. And that I can, you know, channel that energy and make something beautiful like that. It’s so cool.
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Maybe the Brooklyn botanical garden because it’s so pretty. And I love the plant species, and there are a lot of birds there too. I have been birdwatching there a lot. But they have a little amphitheater there that I really like. I would love to play there or like to do my own night there.
You mentioned that your song “Pray” is about the importance of discovering community in a diverse environment. What does community mean to you?
Community is everything. It’s how we interact with each other on an interpersonal basis. It’s how we interact with what we’re eating. How mindful we’re being about that and the process it takes to get there. And it has to do with our connection to what’s around us and to each other. And I think right now it’s a beautiful time and a beautiful window to get involved with people in your window and people on your block. And it’s something I’ve been doing and thinking about. And like mutual aid. I’ve been thinking a lot about mutual aid and the power that we have to make change. Just like with our friends and like drawing from experiences we’ve had. I love my friends, my community of artists and not artists. Just like trying to get by…yeah.
Who are some artists that you’d hope to collaborate with in the future?
I like Lorde. I was thinking about “Royals” on the J-train the other day. And maybe like Eric Andre. He’s amazing hahaha.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
There’s not much separation between me and what I do. I’m just a really low-key person, living a normal ass life, working. And just expressing myself how I can by any means necessary.
Is there anything else you’d like our audience to know about you?
I’m from Queens. I birdwatch. That’s me.