Pastora Soler
Who is Pastora Soler?
Pilar Sánchez Luque, known artistically as Pastora Soler, was born in Coria del Río (Seville) on September 28, 1978. The youngest of three siblings, she began singing copla and flamenco as a child, at just five years old, at a stand during the Feria de Sevilla, and soon began appearing at various children’s events in her region.
Career
She made her recording debut in the mid-1990s and achieved her first major success in 1999 with “Fuente de luna,” her third album, which produced the single “Dámelo ya,” a number-one hit. In 2001 she released “Corazón congelado,” and a year later “Deseo,” produced by Carlos Jean, which became her most commercially successful record, selling over eighty thousand copies and going platinum thanks to tracks such as “Guerra fría” and “Herida.” In 2005 she signed with Warner Music and released a self-titled album with eleven new songs, including the ballad “Sólo tú,” co-written with Cádiz-born Antonio Martínez Ares, who would become one of her regular collaborators.
In 2007 she released “Toda mi verdad,” her first album on which she dared to write one of her own songs. Two years later she presented “Bendita locura,” featuring collaborations with Alejandro Sanz, Manuel Carrasco and other leading songwriters. In 2012 she represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Baku.
Notable discography
Her career blends copla tradition with pop sounds, and among her best-remembered hits are “Dámelo ya,” “Guerra fría,” “Herida” and “Sólo tú.” In 2011 she was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the Best Flamenco Album category.
Personal life
After years of demanding vocal work, Pastora Soler suffered from vocal cord paresis that forced her into a temporary break, from which she returned to the stage with renewed energy, reaffirming her bond with an audience that has always valued the warmth and emotion of her live performances.