With a guitar and a pair of maracas, life is so much easier. Conxita Herrero, better known as Tronco, knows this only too well, and she’s turned music into her personal refuge. And not just her own. Her songs may seem light and naïve, but they offer shelter to listeners of all ages, from children to the elderly, all with one thing in common: a desire to smile and enjoy the little things in life, without overthinking too much.

Tronco’s songs are small odes to the things that move us and the moments that disturb us. Between every chord, she puts voice to both hard-to-swallow experiences —from heartbreak to job interviews— and the emotional cornerstones that keep us on our feet. And thank goodness. Music is Conxita’s way of saying thank you for everything from her cat to her toaster, the things she knows she can always count on. As she sings: “You deserve a compliment, but not just any compliment. It has to be clever, funny, and cheerful.” Surely the audacity of dedicating a song to a toaster is reason enough to listen.

As a child, Conxita always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but never quite did. Her story is that of someone who has learned something more important: to make peace with imperfection and to live music not as an obligation, but as an emotional regulator and a way to share. With indie tones and carefree tributes, Tronco offers a cosy, laid-back concert made in a true “do-it-yourself” spirit, unafraid of laughing at her mistakes. Just as we stumble over our words as we speak, singers can also miss the occasional note.

And yet, Tronco’s songs are only simple on the surface. Behind the innocent facade lie complex, delicate emotions that we wish we could always resolve with a simple tune. That must be why kids love her, even though the experiences she sings about are anything but childish. “A lot of people like Tronco,” says Conxita. “And they’re always nice people.”