Arón Piper: "It's very difficult to be in a good mood when things like genocide happen."

Arón Piper rose to fame for his role as Ander in Élite , although five years before the series, he starred in Gracia Querejeta 's 15 años y un día . He is the epitome of what it means to be part of Generation Z: a carefree attitude towards life, having no qualms about starring in risqué scenes with people of the same sex, and an awareness of mental health and work-life balance.

On August 1st, he released his second album, Arón Piper , whose debut single is "Invisibilidad ," created with producer Manuel Lara, who has worked with Bad Bunny, Sebastián Yatra, and Kali Uchis. On this album, he plays with pop, without abandoning his rapper touches in the vein of Rels B or Marc Seguí. The young man "still sees himself more as an actor," although he does "what he wants." Perhaps, when he retires (in many years, for sure), he'll live in the countryside. With chickens, not cows. "Chickens aren't that complicated."

There are songs in which you talk about mental health. Do younger generations give it more importance?

I, at least, do. Because of what I've experienced and because it's a profound subject. At 18, when I decided to get on track with the help of my parents and went to Madrid, thinking about doing things right and pursuing what I loved, I fell into a rather heavy depression. Back then, my music was a little more in tune with my darker mood at the time. I think I'm improving that over time. In my case, many external factors have helped, such as friends, family, work, and being able to pursue what I love. All of this has improved my mental health.

How are you now?

I'd say it's one of the best moments of my life, but we live in a society and a world where it's very difficult to be in a good mood all the time. Thousands of things happen: genocide, daily news... You have to try to stay well. Everyone has to find their own way to maintain their mental health.

Do you see yourself more as a singer or more as an actor?

I still see myself more as an actor. I've been working as an actor for a long time, so I feel more comfortable. As a singer, it's a bit newer. I also have to tell you that when I have a shoot, I focus completely on that. Then I stop and focus more on the music. I go in fits and starts.

Who would you say Arón Piper is in music?

I don't know what to tell you. I do it for myself, because it helps me. I'm increasingly doing my own thing and doing what I want. If only three people like it, I'm happy for those three.

"Being known isn't cool in itself. What's cool is that your fame is for what you do and because you're doing something well and people like it."

Have people approached you just for fame?

I imagine so. But fame has given me more good things than bad, overall. That weighs more heavily in the balance.

Do you give much importance to your usual environment?

Yes, and I'm incredibly grateful to have it. I imagine other people don't, and it's harder to distinguish what's interesting or not. I have my circle of trust very close and tight. That's very important for mental health, for happiness, for everything.

Do you need fame?

I don't know if I need it. But since I became famous, I try to work every day to learn to live with it. It's what it takes. If they took away all my fame now and I went back to being completely anonymous, I don't know what I'd be like, honestly. It's something that comes with this job. Anyone who doesn't like it shouldn't have taken this profession. There's no other choice.

But it's cool

In itself, being known isn't cool. It's cool that your fame is for what you do and because you're doing something well and people like it. But being famous for the sake of it isn't cool. At least not for me.

"When I'm working, sometimes I can't take it anymore. Then I stop for five days and I can't stand doing nothing."

The mountains and the countryside interest you, do you reject the city?

No. I've lived in Madrid for many years and I'm happy there. A lot is happening in cities, and things are constantly happening. You have a lot of stimuli and everything is within reach. But what really makes me happy is the countryside. I'll probably end up there. I also like the mix of countryside and city, at least at my age.

Do you see yourself with cows and chickens or is it not that big a deal?

With cows, I don't know; with chickens, yes. Chickens aren't that complicated.

Are you tired of so many projects and working so much, or does it just go on for days?

It goes by days. When I'm working, sometimes I can't take it anymore. Then I'll stop for five days and I can't stand doing nothing. As long as they're cool projects and ones I enjoy, work and enjoyment blend together.

Do you think fame could drive you crazy at some point?

I don't know either. Maybe. It depends on what's going on in your head.

There are people who lose their minds, whether due to addictions, spending money, or believing themselves to be better than everyone else...

I don't believe in believing myself to be better than everyone else, I doubt it very much. The rest, it could be. Anything could happen in this life. But right now I'm far from that happening to me. The way to avoid it is to have a good circle of colleagues.

"In this album, I tell things from a more positive perspective on life, which is how I feel now: more optimistic."

How's the album going? How are you seeing the reactions?

Well, really, it's been going very well. We've been working on this for a while, with the album done, and it's finally out. The best date I had in mind wasn't midsummer, but it had to come out now. The feedback is really good.

How did the project come about?

This album came about because I had a studio session with producer Manuel Lara, where Invisibilidad , the first single, was born. We made this track from scratch with piano and guitar. I was more used to singing or rapping over a pre-made beat. It was a pleasure for me. We got along really well, because he's a terrific producer, and we decided to keep going.

What do you tell in this album?

To begin with, I tell things from a different perspective and with a more positive attitude toward life, which is how I feel now: more optimistic. The genre is different, more pop, happier. I'd say the core theme is heartbreak, but it's also an ode to life. I've found a sound I'm very comfortable with, and also some references I've always liked but hadn't explored.