Andrés Cepeda is one seriously hopeless romantic. Who else would moan something like, "When there is no one left in this world to love you, I will be here to tell you I will wait for you until I die"?
That kind of over-the-top passion is what the Colombian crooner's latest album, Lo Mejor Que Hay En Mi Vida, or The Best That's In My Life, is all about.
"It's a record with very romantic songs," Cepeda concedes. "It reflects a moment of peace and love. It has songs where I discuss my experiences during the past three years."
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Maybe the success of Cepeda's 2009 release, Dia Tras Dia, or Day After Day, for which he was nominated for three Latin Grammys and snagged Spain's 40 Principales award for Best Male Pop Artist, among other accolades, has something to do with those "moment[s] of peace and love" described on his new record.
"Dia Tras Dia had very good songs and I had lots of support. It had lots of magic and led me to more people and gave me more exposure," the singer says, comparing the two albums.
"Lo Mejor Que Hay En Mi Vida is like the brother of Dia Tras Dia. In terms of sound and structure, it's similar. But if you look at all of my albums, you see an evolution of a sound that's more organic," he points out.
"The emotional, romantic aspect is what all my albums have in common. I like for my albums to have personal elements so people can connect to the music."
Sure, Cepeda's passionate vibes may be what links him to his fans in a soul-to-soul kind of way, but online interaction with his avid followers is what really brings them together.
"I love social media. I get lots of information from the people who follow me and they orient me. I like to ask people what songs they want to hear, and based on that, I organize my shows."
And serving as a judge on La Voz Colombia certainly didn't shrink his Facebook fanbase.
"It was a great experience," Cepeda admits. "I got to work with Carlos Vives, Ricardo Montaner, and Fanny Lú. I had the chance to meet very talented young people."
Among those talented people was Victoria Castillo, his protégé, who's now touring with the singer.
"She makes her show within my show," the singer says. "Being on La Voz, it takes you back to the start and lets you relive your dream."
And living the dream he is.
"I'm very excited to be coming to Miami and to be playing at the Fillmore," Cepeda beams. "It's the first time I can travel to the U.S. with my entire band."
Andres Cepeda. Saturday, September 14. Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $33.50 to $103.50 plus fees via livenation.com. Call 305-673-7300 or visit fillmoremb.com.
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