Edgar Barrera says he is producing a Santana album — and still starts almost every song on guitar

PRS published a new Soundmakers interview with producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera on September 2. Barrera says guitar remains the starting point for nearly all of his writing, estimating that about 95% of the songs he has written began with him sitting down with the instrument. He also describes deliberately keeping live guitars and solos in productions even when that approach runs against current trends.

The most newsworthy detail is tucked inside the conversation: Barrera says he is currently producing one of Carlos Santana's albums and serving as its executive producer. He frames Santana as a formative influence, especially the way Supernatural blended English-language songs with Latin and salsa elements. The interview also gives concrete examples of guitar shaping his productions, from the PRS Custom 24 used while writing Grupo Frontera's un x100to to the guitar-led arrangements behind songs for Maluma, Camilo and Christian Nodal.