Salvador is as raw and naked in his interview as he is on his second album and first solo attempt, Keyboard City with as much passion in both. When a prolific musician such as Salvador Santana sets up shop to interview with you, there's a ton of questions that scramble though your mind. Do you ask about is father? Yes. Do you talk about the countless human rights efforts he leads? Yes. Do you ask about his new album? Yes. And where do the Beastie Boys and Nelson Mandela fit in all of this? So we asked and you're gonna love what we found out.

antiMusic: Talk a little bit about the production of Keyboard City. What were the highlights of working with producer Del the Funky Homosapien and Beastie Boy studio pro Money Mark?
Salvador: Process started from scratch. I was trying to redesign my musical presentation, and divert away from SSB. (Salvador Santana Band). Focus on myself and what I can offer with my keyboard abilities and my passion for music. I only collaborated with Del on a few tracks, none of which made it on the record. Primarily worked with Money Mark and the advantage of that is that Money Mark is a keyboard player himself. One of the highlights was watching everybody in the process of making the record. Watching Money Mark dancing doing his own little Money Mark dance. I grew up in bay area listening to del, and same thing with Money Mark I grew up listening to the Beastie Boys. I can see where the Beastie boys got their brilliance.
antiMusic: What have been the major differences with this album than the first album you created with the Salvador Santana Band?

Salvador: Featuring more keyboard sounds. Last record was focused on what the band and I was doing live. Capture the energy that the Band and I were doing live and capture it in the studio. This time I wanted to be a little different. I wanted to wipe the sleight clean even with stuff that worked from the last record. Combining both organic sounds and instrumentation along with programmed and digital sounds. Again, experimenting with different keyboard sounds that money mark turned me on too. This record is so different from SSB. Not that one is better but it's a matter of taste like what you are in the mood for. I can say that I know for a fact that there is a song on Keyboard City for everybody and anybody.

antiMusic: What have been the biggest musical challenges you have faced?

Salvador: The obvious forever challenge is trying to step out and be my own. My family has been so supportive of my musical career from day one. Try not to look at it that way. A lot of people don't know that before my father became great he played mariachi music with his father, just like I played with my dad ten years ago on supernatural. Both humbled by being able to continue family legacy. Trying to do my thing and not be like my father. To a certain point People are right I do have big shoes to fill but not my fathers, my own because im 6'3 and wear a size 15 so that's a big enough shoe.
Being the product of singer/songwriter can take its toll on a kid, what has been the best part of being a Santana?

Salvador: Having the opportunity to link up with other musicians and people that are fans of my father and also mentors and peers during the whole process of supernatural. Getting woken up at 2-3 in the am when I was in high school high school by musicians working on supernatural with him. Went to South Africa and met Nelson Mandela. Get to a certain point when you realize that it is bigger than the music. We are all here to serve one another with humility and kindness. Only time I have been star struck was when I met Herbie Hancock. He told me that he listened to the record and loved it.

antiMusic: What doors do you think opened for you that would not have necessarily opened had you not been Carlos' son?

Salvador: I probably wouldn't have gotten as much attention, it goes both ways actually. Wouldn't have been exposed to all the music I was exposed to courtesy of my father. Could of turned out to be a prick and totally take advantage of my freedom, but instead I take a step back and am honored to be a part of it all. Grateful for my family, learned that if you don't do it from the heart then don't do it at all.
antiMusic: How has being the son of Carlos Santana hindered you? Do you think that people have expectations of you that you can't maintain?

Salvador: Yes, there is a lot of pressure. A lot of people ask why I don't play guitar. It is because my dad plays enough guitar for everybody. It is obvious that expectations are there. The pressure only gets to me if I let it, but for the most part I am humble and stay positive and consistent. All these windows stay open as long as I stay positive. I can be the best that I can be if I just stay open. I have to unlimit myself.
antiMusic: Do you feel like others expect a certain sound from you because of your musical heritage?

Salvador: Sure, but I Let people know that if you want me to play then I am going to do my own thing and not my fathers. I would jam a lot with my father when I was younger. I'm trying to stay consistent and complemental of where I come from, but at the same time trying to do my own thing and be my own person.
antiMusic: You do a lot of Human Rights work. What motivated you to become so involved? How are you making a direct difference? Is there more you want to accomplish?

Salvador: Because of my family, I have been involved with the activist world. When I put down my music I try to help people that are less fortunate and have not got opportunities that I have. Through amnesty and other non-profits I donate certain amount from cd sales and concerts. It goes to animal shelters I am an animal person, homeless. I want to make other people aware that it is cool to help other people. When I heard about Haiti I donated immediately, but felt like it wasn't enough.
antiMusic: Of your last record you said, "With the last record, even though you get a variety of music, I feel like it was limited. And I don't want anything to sound limited on this new record, I want each song to be its own thing. And it's already turning out like that. Can you talk more about this and how Keyboard City is different?

Salvador: With the last record I just found myself not listening to my gut and heart as much. A lot of different things going on at the time, switching management, and some family stuff, I didn't really get a chance to hone in and focus. Had courage but not enough knowledge to decide what I wanted on the record. I let people speak for me. On this record I listened to my gut more. Weather it be musically or in the studio basically anything but nothing really negative. I'm so excited for this album because this is really me. This is Salvador Santana and feature what I do on the keyboard. I had to take some time to reflect on what worked and what didn't. What really worked in Keyboard City is an understanding of when to speak my mind and when to take a step back and let people that are helping me do their thing. Balance of trust and tap into more of my intuition.
antiMusic: Talk about the inspiration behind your songs on the new album.

Salvador: I will start with the song "Keyboard City". This has the most depth and energy of what I am talking about. Laid back and the lyrics are all metaphors about a specific topic. At the same time I am talking about what is happening with my personal life. I get to vent and let it all come out. One part of Keyboard City I freestyle and it all came from the heart. My favorite lyric is "last timed we chilled was a few years ago, im still thinking about the you I used to know" I am talking about my Keyboard City which is my paradise and my comfort zone. I miss being at home writing music. I am talking about stuff that happened to me but making sure that people can leave it up to there own interpretation. Another song that I really love that is all positive was "under the sun". What you hear on this song is really who I am. Certain things in life to take time and appreciate and those things are offered on under the sun. Yea there is horrible things going on but I wanted to take the time to acknowledge all the cool things going on. Those two stick out for me because their energy complety opposite but are both trying to say the same thing

antiMusic: What tracks do you most enjoy playing?

Salvador: "Under The Sun" is fun to play because I can already tell that it gets people going. "We got something," the funk song that starts off the record is fun to play.

antiMusic: Do you prefer laying vocal tracks or instrumental?

Salvador: Usually for me I like to start with the drums, bass and piano. I have performed with different bands in the rhythm section, so that is foundation, and I like to start with that. I like working from the ground up but I am open to either one. Usually able to complete song faster and more efficiently by working from the ground up. antiMusic: Any thoughts for a next album yet? Will it be more of the same or do you see yourself veering off creatively again?
Salvador: I see myself expanding and taking best of Keyboard City and all the records and projects that I have been a part of. I will be experimenting a lot more. Want to get together with money mark again. Right now I am working with a buddy on a small EP to shop around the industry. 4-5 really strong songs that would be on commercials, promo, press, and industry purposes only. Maybe I will leak a song or two but you won't find it in stores. Seems like its about that time to collaborate with my Dad. It's matter of time and when our schedules line up. We both are willing and want to. That would be a full-length record. I'm just into calibrating at this point, and I feel like two heads are better then one. It brings out the best in me.
antiMusic: Any great stories from the road?