-The secret is in the fusion -

And the spice is in the mix. Olefunk fanbase are rapidly increasing not only in their country of origin, Spain, but part of Europe, some local Florida radio stations and now...China. The three main components of this group, which is supported by a full band of national and international musicians, are Ricardo Ruiz, a.k.a. Nito, the sound of flamenco and the southern Spanish rythms, Raul Benitez, soul and funk, and last, but not least, Dani Casañ (former member of ‘Chambao’, million-selling flamenco-chill group well known in Spain, UK, Europe and, especially since their singer Mari colaborated in Ricky Martin's album "MTV Unplugged", most of South America and the latin population in the U.S.), who, in the shadows, goes about plotting most of the song writing and lyrics, being the creator of this hybrid.

Pioneering in Spain, Olefunk has its own social network for fans at their official site, as well as their own digital TV, “Olefunk TV” (remember: when the pilot is on red it means that particular transmission is live).

Their self titled debut album, "Olefunk" is full of Spanish/English lyrics injected in fusion tracks, in which rumba, flamenco roots, latin rythms, soul, blues, funk and pop mix effortlessly, like making love in a summer night.

This team has picked their favourites and so far “Tengo Celos” (I Have Jealousy), “Para no ir al infierno” (To avoid going to hell), Cambiaré ( I’ll change, a.k.a. Two faces of love), “Perdío” (Lost), “Un Tesoro encontré” (I found a treasure), “I Call on You” and “Como tú y yo” (Like you and I), basically 8 out of the 12 tracks in the album, keep repeating in our heads, with their catchy choruses and their funky bass, and a bluesy reminiscence, all fueled with the characteristic flamenco passion of Nito's voice.

Damn you Oléfunk.

We have just caught Raul and Nito, before they set off for China, invited by the Ministry of Culture of that country, to participate both in the Shanghai New Folk Music Festival and the SPAF 2010 (Shanghai Performing Arts Fair).

MDM: Dani leaves ‘Chambao’…and how does he meet Raul and Nito? How does Olefunk, the project, start Raul?

RAUL: I was fortunate to be part of the band Chambao in its infancy, the first tours we did together. It was a very intense period of time, at all levels, in which Dani and I had the opportunity to meet. We had enough confidence to get into a project together when both of us were no longer in Chambao.

Everything came out of a trip to Ibiza where I met Mati, a Flemish artist who was also flirting with flamenco-chill. I suggested her working together on some compositions that Dani had, so we started recording some demos with the voice of Nito just as a reference, to send it to Mati, for she was going to be the singer doing the final voice. But, by circumstances, Nito ended up being the voice of the project. Dani and Nito had known each other for a long time, they are family, so I met Nito through Dani.

MDM: We know that your debut album is self-produced, which shows the entrepreneurial side to this project. How was this experience, more nerve-wracking than you thought it would be or more rewarding than you’d anticipated?

RAUL: We are a good example of "DIY" band. We have the attitude of doing things by ourselves. It is difficult to be an entrepreneur and a musician at the same time. One moment you are filling out the application to apply for a grant and the next you are trying out new arrangements for the next concert.

It's the age we live in, the labels are not what they were before, managers are betting only on consolidated bands ... we had no choice but to take a step forward. We created our own label and are not afraid of anything, has made us stronger and more certain of what we are doing. Undoubtedly worthwhile.

MDM: Your most admired musical heros would be...and if you had not taken the musical path you would have given a go at...

RAUL: I've gone through all the musical periods, I've listened to the great, I have absorbed. We could say that I discovered MUSIC (with capitol letters) when I discovered the music of the Beatles. In the '80s, when I was a teenager, I wasn't interested in the music of the moment, I was discovering the music of the 60s, the 70s, black music ... now what I am really into flamenco.

I admire Amy Winehouse, I hear her sing and think she acts fearlessly, freely ... that's inspiring.

Before devoting myself entirely to music, I had a career as a telecommunications engineer, in fact, I worked at Soundcraft R & D in London for two years... but I concluded that following that path I would not be happy in my life, so I ended up in music. Now I'm testing acting in theater, and soon will act with my first starring role. I love movies and photography. I always say that before I die I have to make a movie.

MDM: How would you define your guitar playing style?

RAUL: In essence my style is blues. I like to play simple but giving its just importance and meaning to every phrase, when you have something to say is not complicated. I have a good sense of rhythm for funk and I like to improvise. I consider myself more a musician than a guitarist. An instrument, such as the word too, is a tool for making music.

MDM_ Nito, what is your musical background, predominantly flamenco or did you flirt, prior to Olefunk, with other styles too?

NITO: I've always listened to all kinds of music but especially flamenco, it really caught my attention. I started playing the guitar and soon got into singing too.

MDM: Your phenomenal sound live is one of the most celebrated qualities of Olefunk, do you prepare your voice and your mind in any special way before a concert?

NITO: The truth is that I don't do any vocal exercises to prepare my voice., What I do is to not let many days pass without singing and the day of the concert is very important to me to have slept well and feel completely rested

MDM: In life, as in music, the most important thing is...

NITO: There are so many important things in life .. for me it's important to be aware of what you do and not get carried away by emotions, always have your feet on the ground and above all be consistent.

MDM: China will welcome Olefunk this September, do you have any other touring dates after that or are you taking a break?

NITO: After returning to Shanghai is not the time to rest, we have to keep working. We think this will be a great opportunity to let us be know in the Asian continent and we hope to go back and do a tour there. We also continue to seek international circuits to play

MDM: Thank you guys, for being with us in this interview today, to the delight especially of our readers in Spain, UK, China and Latino-America. All the best in Shanghai!.