Hippiiaa: I don't separate music and consciousness, because everything has the same universe

AlpicatHer real name is Eva Espejo Fajardo (Lleida, 1988), but she is building a brand with her artistic ingenuity. She calls herself Hippiiaa, a symbiosis of the hippie universe with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for her cultural dissemination goals on social networks (she has nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram and 30,000 more on TikTok). But, she also makes herself known as La Catalana Indígena, because she also wants to assert herself as a defender of two heritages, that of Catalan and that of nature simultaneously. An amalgamation of proposals that betray her multifaceted character.

And, you also studied medicine!

— After getting honors in high school, I was given a scholarship and my tutor recommended that I take advantage of the talent I had with a scientific career.

An error?

— Medicine didn't displease me. In fact, it gave me a good knowledge of the body that has since served me as a yoga, dance, and Pilates instructor. But I leaned towards music and dance and ended up obtaining higher degrees such as that from the Royal Academy of Dance in London or from the Coco Comin school in Barcelona.

And now you are promoting your EP Welcome to Hippiiaa. Where does this term come from?

— It comes from the fusion of the term hippie, a free and natural soul, with that of AI, artificial intelligence, one of my work tools. I made this first song to start my project by making an afro-house with tribal touches and techno-yoga.

What is this?

— Yoga with electronic music. It is music very linked to an electronic and, at the same time, spiritual universe.

But the album includes four more tracks, some that talk about Catalan (I dream in catalan) and others about nature (Tu ets molt animal). Curious combination.

— I take on two missions. Firstly, I would like to internationalize Catalan (hence my fusion with English). I don't want Catalan to disappear among young people and I claim that our future is in Catalan. But I also want a sustainable future. I am very connected to nature. All my songs have a background with a message that says that nature always gives you the answer.

Catalan and nature. Two themes in full regression, in my opinion…

— Recently I went to the Crit awards gala and I was surprised by the large number of people creating content in Catalan. We are in full growing transition. The only way to expand Catalan among young people is through social networks.

And nature? We can't deny that we are destroying it…

— Let's see. I believe there is a widespread awakening of consciousness. Right now there are more people doing yoga and meditation, there are more people practicing healthy eating and recycling... A type of consciousness is awakening. We have the right technology to make the future more sustainable. And it's true that the current situation will also force us to make uncomfortable decisions, but I am optimistic.

Is this optimism in the songs?

— The simple Gaia, for example, is not just a song, but a reminder. It's the beat of the Earth turned into afro-house. My songs have these tribal touches, drums that transport us to indigenous ritual.

Who is Hippiiaa really?

— It is its own universe, its own identity. I don't separate music and consciousness, because everything has the same universe. That's why I don't just want them to listen to me with their ears, but also for my music to generate a feeling, stir something, touch the soul, create an experience.

Do drugs help to make this trip?

— I will only answer you with one sentence: I don't even drink coffee.

A resounding answer.

— My feelings speak of breathing, of walking in the mountains, of connecting with nature, of knowing when to stop in this accelerated life. Of walking barefoot, of being grounded.

Does living in Alpicat deprive you of being more involved in the music market?

— Alpicat is a refuge of creativity for me. It is the place where I can stop. Thanks to nature and the quality of life I have in the village, I can get inspired. Barcelona gives me the opportunities, that's why I go there too, but Alpicat gives me creation.

You have collaborated with Shakira a couple of times, but who is your main musical reference?

— My first great reference is David Guetta, for his electronic music. It's very energizing. His name equates to party. He has that hypnotic rhythm that connects and makes you vibrate. I saw that I could try to do the same, with consciousness, with a message and nature as a backdrop.

Is it really difficult to live off music?

— To live off music, you have to be open-minded. I compose electronic music, I practice techno-yoga, and I create cultural content, in addition to being a dance teacher. And if I can do another thing, I will. Not everything has been invented. I always invent things. We are infinite as creators and we all have the capacity to do it.

Your videos on social media recreate different passages of the history of Catalonia and you fully use AI.

— When I created Hippiia two years ago, it was clear to me that AI was a tool I had to work with. It allows me to bring the past into the present, and therefore, I am very excited to see that people are learning with these videos. I consider myself to be doing social work, by helping to awaken this curiosity about our Catalan past.

Is AI not a dangerous tool?

— Before publishing one of my videos, whether it's about the drummer of El Bruc or about the coca of Sant Joan or the escudella, I do a lot of research. I have to discern a lot about what AI brings me and contrast the information. It's many hours of work, both researching and perfecting the videos to the fullest. In the end, I spend all my weekends working.

I was also referring to the fact that AI is dangerous for the end consumer.

— We, as humans, must know how to master AI. We must know how to use it. AI is increasingly realistic. We must have a very open mind and know how to discern what can be real and what cannot. We, humans, have the consciousness and intelligence to do so.

Is there a majority profile among the followers of this cultural content?

— There is a bit of everything. I consider the content I am creating to be of importance and, therefore, of public interest. I increasingly have a wider range of ages, from young people to grandparents, including parents. I even provoke debates which I think are good, because it means that everything stirs up thoughts. And I am surprised to see that I have relevant followers, like Mayor Fèlix Larrosa and the President of the Generalitat. All of this makes me see that I am not doing badly and gives me strength to continue.