The unveiling of Melina Lezcano, the singer of Agapornis: 'Having a million followers on Facebook is a source of pride'
When she joined Agapornis in the summer past, maybe a few people doubted that Melina Lezcano (25) would manage to consolidate herself as the female voice of the group formed by a group of friends from La Plata Rugby Club, which is now an obligatory reference at every party and dance hall where there's a desire to dance. But after listening to her sing, those doubts were left behind.
A little after launching the third album of the band, the goddess who enlivens the stages alongside Juan Martin Garriga Lacaze on vocals and guitar, Leandro Zingale on bass, Santiago Etchart on timbales, Juan Cruz Costabel on keyboard, Juan Pérsico on octapad, Agustin Cairo on guiro, and Joaquín Irigoyen with electric guitar, gave an intimate interview and produced an unforgettable photo production for Ciudad.com.
And the note comes with a prime included. By year's end we will release a new album and probably include our first self-authored theme. The idea is to convey to the public how we feel..., says the beautiful model from Multitalent agency.
-How was it to go from being a model to becoming the female voice of Agapornis?
-It wasn't as abrupt as it seems. I started with music since I was little. In fact, at 13 years old I participated in Generación Pop and remained as an integral part of the band Scratch 8. Then I took a break for a bit because I was too young and there was too much pressure. It wasn't until I was 18 that I started modeling, did conducting on Fashion TV, and participated in the program Re.Creo on vos de Emilia Attias. At some point I even did a year of bad things on SúperTorpe, where I also sang. Until finally Agapornis emerged as a great opportunity to return to music, now bigger and more mature.
-Your background speaks of very good artistic training.
-Yes. I studied comedy musical in Reina Reech high school, took singing lessons, and always did dance. Plus, I have completed the first three years of social communication at Uces. To get my intermediate degree... there will be ten subjects, and for my graduation I would have two more years left. My idea is to graduate, but for now with the times I manage between modeling and Agapornis, I can't.
I've been in a relationship for a year and a half. His name is Lucas Rodríguez, he's a music producer and he's my age (25). He's a bomb! I'm re-falling in love.
-How was it to integrate into a group formed by a consolidated group of friends?
-Honestly, destiny wanted me to join the guys. Last year I worked as a secretary at Todo es posible, Julián Weich's program, and a colleague was dating someone who handled marketing for Sony Music when Belén (Condomi Alcorta) decided to leave. Then she told them about me and they Googled me, liked my vibe and the similarity of my voice to Belén's. As soon as we met, we clicked. I don't have social problems (laughs), so we started talking and more than a year has passed since we formed a friendship with the guys. I joined the rugby band, now there are 8 friends.
-Could you talk to Belén Condomi Alcorta at some point, your predecessor?
-No, actually I wanted to know Belén, but I didn't get any response. She left because she wanted to focus on her studies, wasn't into the artistic thing and preferred to open up. She did me a favor (laughs). But no bad blood! On the contrary, she asked them to find a replacement and I know she loved the album, she's really happy that Agapornis can keep going. Because both she and her boyfriend were in the band and decided to leave. At first I had terrible uncertainty, also wanted to know about her, but never gave us a chance to talk. Her boyfriend (Gonzalo Mendes) is still friends with the guys, but they don't get along like they used to. We don't know each other, but everything's fine.
I participated in Generación Pop at 13 and left as an integral part of Scratch 8. After that I distanced myself a bit because I was too young and there was too much pressure.
-The band was born as a divertimento, but now they're very convincing. How do they take responsibility and that pressure to demonstrate that they are much more than just a good product of marketing?
-This is no longer a toy and has become our job. Although I was already studying singing, the guys are taking classes, each one for their respective instrument. We all try to grow artistically. I don't know if it's a pressure, but it's an objective of ours to keep growing, like any artist. Personally, I do it because I would like to continue with music, I don't know what the guys will do after Agapornis.
-They win as a cover band, but would they like to compose their own themes?
-This is a secret: we'll release a new album by the end of the year and probably include our first original theme. The idea is to show the public how we feel on stage and with the crowd, that's what it will be about. And it's not that we didn't do it before because we didn't want to, but people ask for covers and Sony wants us to respect that too. But we're eager to try our own themes, even if our key is playing known songs and making them danceable.
-We respect Pablo Lescano's criticisms as well as the positive comments. We grew up listening to Damas Gratis, we love it. But we have nothing to do with that style of music, you know we're a pop cumbia and don't play in discos because we don't make that kind of music.
-What reflection do you make of Pablo Lescano's comments when he discredited us for being a group of cumbia in the Gardel awards (the category Best New Artist Tropical Album won by Nico Mattioli)?
-We grew up listening to Damas Gratis, we love it. But we have nothing to do with that style of music, you know we're a pop cumbia and don't play in discos because we don't make that kind of music. We respect Pablo's criticisms as well as the positive comments.
-How are you at personal? There's not much information about your private life... -I'm living with my family right now. I've been in a relationship for a year and a half. He's a genius, also from La Plata. But by chance! He has nothing to do with the guys. It's thanks to him that I'm here because he encouraged me to keep going and when he can, he accompanies me on tours. I also have Félix, my toy Poodle, who is like my younger brother because I raised him like a human! I adore dogs! They offered me to collaborate with an animal shelter and of course I'll help. I have a 10-year-old sister, a 26-year-old brother, and the oldest is 29... -What does your partner do? -His name is Lucas Rodríguez, he's my age (25). He has a music production company with a business partner, they work organizing events with some municipalities. -What a coincidence! You hooked up with a music producer from La Plata. Better impossible... -Yes, everything was meant for us to end up together. Everything. By chance my boyfriend lives in La Plata and his girlfriend's boyfriend worked at Sony. Because the reality is that they held auditions with several girls, I wasn't the only one. That my boyfriend is from La Plata is great because sometimes we rehearse and I stay at his house. I think I had to find Agapornis, it was meant to be. I don't feel attractive in the poses I make in photos... It's more, I'm sure that if the guys also posed in leather at the swimming pool, they would break it. They're now fully into the gym because we're going to Punta del Este in the summer and they want to get in shape, as they say (laughs). -In the future, do you see yourself as a mother? -Yes. As a girl I was like Susanita, but now I like living day by day. I'm really in love with my boyfriend. I feel like I was born to be a mother, I'm fascinated by kids. I want to be a young mother, around 28 years old approximately. Of course, being in love and in a relationship, I bet on that. Now, initially, my intention is to buy my own home and then we'll see if the possibility of... I'm changing with my boyfriend. I've been working for many years towards the goal of having my own home.
- In your artistic career, has any famous person tried to seduce you or sent indecent proposals?
- No. I have been surrounded by a lot of people and never gave anyone space to suggest something indecent. I didn't have any relationship with a famous person. Some people did comment on things, but I never let them get ahead. I got some messages, but that's it. And because others gave out my number...
- You're the only woman in a group of seven men, how is living together?
- I always say that I find it more comfortable working with men than women. They are simpler and easier. Beyond the fact that each person has their own room in hotels, we get together to chat and eat because it's become friendly. They take super good care of me, but I'm already one of them and they treat me like a dude (laughs). It's great, it's very relaxed, women are more complicated. With the one I have most confidence with is Juan Pérsico, who is actually dating my best friend, I introduced him to Stephanie Demner, who was coming from a complicated relationship... (Note from the Reader: she's the ex-girlfriend of tennis player Juan Martín del Potro). Besides, Juan is the most serious one, we're really connected. But with all of them I get along great.
- So, I suppose you'll have it cut off with Juan because of your friend, at the same time as Stephanie will join some of their tours...
- Fine! When Lucas can't come, Stephanie comes instead, so I always win. And yes, I do have Juan on a short leash. Luckily my boyfriend isn't jealous and I'm super respectful, I don't give him reasons to fantasize. Besides, the one who... I should have jealousy because my boyfriend is a bombón, I also need to take care of myself.
- Which of all the recognitions, awards, and merits that you harvested makes me prouder?
- Starting with the million followers on Facebook. Then, that at five months after launching our second album, we already had a gold record. And then, the worldwide recognition we have: they send us messages from everywhere because they listen to us in Italy, Spain, United States, that's really cool. The good thing about this band is that it makes healthy spectacles and our audience goes from babies to 80-year-old men. Moms especially congratulate us, even some girls hugged me crying saying I'm their idol. That's really crazy.
- Do they already recognize you on the street as Melina, Agapornis' singer?
- It's rare. When I joined Agapornis, they were known as singers, but not registered by face. But this year we started to appear more on TV, newspapers and magazines, and recently I was telling them how impressive it is the change. They recognize me on the street.
We all try to grow artistically. I don't know if it's a pressure or an objective of ours to keep growing like any artist. Personally, I do it because I would like to continue with music, I don't know what the guys will do after Agapornis.
-Give me an opinion on plastic surgery.
- And... If at 25 I have to get surgery, I'll shoot myself. The only thing I did was enlarge my breasts, which was my trauma since I was 15 years old and I told my mom that at 18 I would operate them. Anyway, it was just at 21 and I paid for it, but it was something very subtle.
- Do you feel comfortable making this type of photo?
- I don't consider myself a sexy girl, not at all. If it were up to me, I'd take pictures with a hat and jogging pants. I don't feel attractive in the poses I make in photos, but I think this production on a site like Ciudad.com adds to the band's recognition. That we also know them from this way more relaxed. It's more, I'm sure that if the guys also posed in leather at the swimming pool, they would have broken it. They are now full-on with the gym because we're going to Punta del Este in the summer and they want to get well-defined, as they say (laughs). To the taco.
I tried to meet Belén (Condomi Alcorta, the first singer of the band), but I didn't get any response. She left Agapornis because she wanted to focus on her studies, wasn't into the artistic thing, and preferred to open up. She did me a favor (laughs). But no bad vibes! I know she really liked the album, she's super happy that Agapornis can keep going.
When she joined Agapornis in the summer past, maybe a few people doubted that Melina Lezcano (25) would manage to consolidate herself as the female voice of the group formed by a group of friends from La Plata Rugby Club, which is now an obligatory reference at every party and dance hall where there's a desire to dance. But after listening to her sing, those doubts were left behind.A little after launching the third album of the band, the goddess who enlivens the stages alongside Juan Martin Garriga Lacaze on vocals and guitar, Leandro Zingale on bass, Santiago Etchart on timbales, Juan Cruz Costabel on keyboard, Juan Pérsico on octapad, Agustin Cairo on guiro, and Joaquín Irigoyen with electric guitar, gave an intimate interview and produced an unforgettable photo production for Ciudad.com.
And the note comes with a prime included. By year's end we will release a new album and probably include our first self-authored theme. The idea is to convey to the public how we feel..., says the beautiful model from Multitalent agency.
-How was it to go from being a model to becoming the female voice of Agapornis?
-It wasn't as abrupt as it seems. I started with music since I was little. In fact, at 13 years old I participated in Generación Pop and remained as an integral part of the band Scratch 8. Then I took a break for a bit because I was too young and there was too much pressure. It wasn't until I was 18 that I started modeling, did conducting on Fashion TV, and participated in the program Re.Creo on vos de Emilia Attias. At some point I even did a year of bad things on SúperTorpe, where I also sang. Until finally Agapornis emerged as a great opportunity to return to music, now bigger and more mature.
-Your background speaks of very good artistic training.
-Yes. I studied comedy musical in Reina Reech high school, took singing lessons, and always did dance. Plus, I have completed the first three years of social communication at Uces. To get my intermediate degree... there will be ten subjects, and for my graduation I would have two more years left. My idea is to graduate, but for now with the times I manage between modeling and Agapornis, I can't.
I've been in a relationship for a year and a half. His name is Lucas Rodríguez, he's a music producer and he's my age (25). He's a bomb! I'm re-falling in love.
-How was it to integrate into a group formed by a consolidated group of friends?
-Honestly, destiny wanted me to join the guys. Last year I worked as a secretary at Todo es posible, Julián Weich's program, and a colleague was dating someone who handled marketing for Sony Music when Belén (Condomi Alcorta) decided to leave. Then she told them about me and they Googled me, liked my vibe and the similarity of my voice to Belén's. As soon as we met, we clicked. I don't have social problems (laughs), so we started talking and more than a year has passed since we formed a friendship with the guys. I joined the rugby band, now there are 8 friends.
-Could you talk to Belén Condomi Alcorta at some point, your predecessor?
-No, actually I wanted to know Belén, but I didn't get any response. She left because she wanted to focus on her studies, wasn't into the artistic thing and preferred to open up. She did me a favor (laughs). But no bad blood! On the contrary, she asked them to find a replacement and I know she loved the album, she's really happy that Agapornis can keep going. Because both she and her boyfriend were in the band and decided to leave. At first I had terrible uncertainty, also wanted to know about her, but never gave us a chance to talk. Her boyfriend (Gonzalo Mendes) is still friends with the guys, but they don't get along like they used to. We don't know each other, but everything's fine.
I participated in Generación Pop at 13 and left as an integral part of Scratch 8. After that I distanced myself a bit because I was too young and there was too much pressure.
-The band was born as a divertimento, but now they're very convincing. How do they take responsibility and that pressure to demonstrate that they are much more than just a good product of marketing?
-This is no longer a toy and has become our job. Although I was already studying singing, the guys are taking classes, each one for their respective instrument. We all try to grow artistically. I don't know if it's a pressure, but it's an objective of ours to keep growing, like any artist. Personally, I do it because I would like to continue with music, I don't know what the guys will do after Agapornis.
-They win as a cover band, but would they like to compose their own themes?
-This is a secret: we'll release a new album by the end of the year and probably include our first original theme. The idea is to show the public how we feel on stage and with the crowd, that's what it will be about. And it's not that we didn't do it before because we didn't want to, but people ask for covers and Sony wants us to respect that too. But we're eager to try our own themes, even if our key is playing known songs and making them danceable.
-We respect Pablo Lescano's criticisms as well as the positive comments. We grew up listening to Damas Gratis, we love it. But we have nothing to do with that style of music, you know we're a pop cumbia and don't play in discos because we don't make that kind of music.
-What reflection do you make of Pablo Lescano's comments when he discredited us for being a group of cumbia in the Gardel awards (the category Best New Artist Tropical Album won by Nico Mattioli)?
-We grew up listening to Damas Gratis, we love it. But we have nothing to do with that style of music, you know we're a pop cumbia and don't play in discos because we don't make that kind of music. We respect Pablo's criticisms as well as the positive comments.
-How are you at personal? There's not much information about your private life... -I'm living with my family right now. I've been in a relationship for a year and a half. He's a genius, also from La Plata. But by chance! He has nothing to do with the guys. It's thanks to him that I'm here because he encouraged me to keep going and when he can, he accompanies me on tours. I also have Félix, my toy Poodle, who is like my younger brother because I raised him like a human! I adore dogs! They offered me to collaborate with an animal shelter and of course I'll help. I have a 10-year-old sister, a 26-year-old brother, and the oldest is 29... -What does your partner do? -His name is Lucas Rodríguez, he's my age (25). He has a music production company with a business partner, they work organizing events with some municipalities. -What a coincidence! You hooked up with a music producer from La Plata. Better impossible... -Yes, everything was meant for us to end up together. Everything. By chance my boyfriend lives in La Plata and his girlfriend's boyfriend worked at Sony. Because the reality is that they held auditions with several girls, I wasn't the only one. That my boyfriend is from La Plata is great because sometimes we rehearse and I stay at his house. I think I had to find Agapornis, it was meant to be. I don't feel attractive in the poses I make in photos... It's more, I'm sure that if the guys also posed in leather at the swimming pool, they would break it. They're now fully into the gym because we're going to Punta del Este in the summer and they want to get in shape, as they say (laughs). -In the future, do you see yourself as a mother? -Yes. As a girl I was like Susanita, but now I like living day by day. I'm really in love with my boyfriend. I feel like I was born to be a mother, I'm fascinated by kids. I want to be a young mother, around 28 years old approximately. Of course, being in love and in a relationship, I bet on that. Now, initially, my intention is to buy my own home and then we'll see if the possibility of... I'm changing with my boyfriend. I've been working for many years towards the goal of having my own home.
- In your artistic career, has any famous person tried to seduce you or sent indecent proposals?
- No. I have been surrounded by a lot of people and never gave anyone space to suggest something indecent. I didn't have any relationship with a famous person. Some people did comment on things, but I never let them get ahead. I got some messages, but that's it. And because others gave out my number...
- You're the only woman in a group of seven men, how is living together?
- I always say that I find it more comfortable working with men than women. They are simpler and easier. Beyond the fact that each person has their own room in hotels, we get together to chat and eat because it's become friendly. They take super good care of me, but I'm already one of them and they treat me like a dude (laughs). It's great, it's very relaxed, women are more complicated. With the one I have most confidence with is Juan Pérsico, who is actually dating my best friend, I introduced him to Stephanie Demner, who was coming from a complicated relationship... (Note from the Reader: she's the ex-girlfriend of tennis player Juan Martín del Potro). Besides, Juan is the most serious one, we're really connected. But with all of them I get along great.
- So, I suppose you'll have it cut off with Juan because of your friend, at the same time as Stephanie will join some of their tours...
- Fine! When Lucas can't come, Stephanie comes instead, so I always win. And yes, I do have Juan on a short leash. Luckily my boyfriend isn't jealous and I'm super respectful, I don't give him reasons to fantasize. Besides, the one who... I should have jealousy because my boyfriend is a bombón, I also need to take care of myself.
- Which of all the recognitions, awards, and merits that you harvested makes me prouder?
- Starting with the million followers on Facebook. Then, that at five months after launching our second album, we already had a gold record. And then, the worldwide recognition we have: they send us messages from everywhere because they listen to us in Italy, Spain, United States, that's really cool. The good thing about this band is that it makes healthy spectacles and our audience goes from babies to 80-year-old men. Moms especially congratulate us, even some girls hugged me crying saying I'm their idol. That's really crazy.
- Do they already recognize you on the street as Melina, Agapornis' singer?
- It's rare. When I joined Agapornis, they were known as singers, but not registered by face. But this year we started to appear more on TV, newspapers and magazines, and recently I was telling them how impressive it is the change. They recognize me on the street.
We all try to grow artistically. I don't know if it's a pressure or an objective of ours to keep growing like any artist. Personally, I do it because I would like to continue with music, I don't know what the guys will do after Agapornis.
-Give me an opinion on plastic surgery.
- And... If at 25 I have to get surgery, I'll shoot myself. The only thing I did was enlarge my breasts, which was my trauma since I was 15 years old and I told my mom that at 18 I would operate them. Anyway, it was just at 21 and I paid for it, but it was something very subtle.
- Do you feel comfortable making this type of photo?
- I don't consider myself a sexy girl, not at all. If it were up to me, I'd take pictures with a hat and jogging pants. I don't feel attractive in the poses I make in photos, but I think this production on a site like Ciudad.com adds to the band's recognition. That we also know them from this way more relaxed. It's more, I'm sure that if the guys also posed in leather at the swimming pool, they would have broken it. They are now full-on with the gym because we're going to Punta del Este in the summer and they want to get well-defined, as they say (laughs). To the taco.
I tried to meet Belén (Condomi Alcorta, the first singer of the band), but I didn't get any response. She left Agapornis because she wanted to focus on her studies, wasn't into the artistic thing, and preferred to open up. She did me a favor (laughs). But no bad vibes! I know she really liked the album, she's super happy that Agapornis can keep going.
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