NOISEY 100: RUSSIAN RED

It's the sad truth about singer-songwriters—for every Elliott Smith or Joanna Newsom there are a thousand over-earnest teenagers strumming guitars in parks and rhyming 'cry' with 'die',

Thankfully, Lourdes Hernandez has a voice like a gloved slap in the face of mediocrity. Reminiscent of 90's alt-rock femmes like Tanya Donnelly or Jewel, and with accents of Newsom's countrified twang, Hernandez’ voice sticks out in a Spanish industry ruled by flamenco and bland balladeers.

Over the last four years, her project Russian Red has made a transition from indie darling to mainstream success with seeming ease. The songs are often featured on adverts and in films, making her a household name in Spain. A recently released second album called Fuerteventura looks set to continue this, at home and abroad.

Fresh off a sold-out tour of Asia, we caught up with Lourdes in Cordoba to talk about her influences, her future, and how things have changed for her since we first saw her play to ten people in 2007.