Loading ...ArenAzul
| Jan 02, 2009 @ 08:25 AM
Name of band members: Robert (Vocals), Milo (Guitars), Daniel (Bass) and Angelo (Drums)
Type of music: Pop/Rock En Espanol
Location: Miami, FL
Age: Robert (19), Milo (20), Daniel (20) and Angelo (19)
Birth Place: Robert (Cuba), Milo (Colombia), Daniel (Colombia) and Angelo (Mexico)
ArenAzul (www.arenazul.com) is a pop/rock band out of Miami, FL that has a lot going for them. First of all, their music is great! It’s insightful, inspirational, and above all, it’s a fresh take on music as a whole. Pop/Rock is a breed of music that has been dying out for the past few years, mostly because of all the bands that have flooded the market. ArenAzul is a band that can (and has) really taken this kind of music back to its roots! The dream of this band is not to just make a living doing what they love, although that is always nice! They want to inspire people, and show the world of today what Latin music is all about. Somehow, Latin music has been lost in translation for a lot of people. ArenAzul is the band that can show you what it’s really all about, and that is truly refreshing!
Q: How old were you, when you got started in the Music Industry?
A: Robert: I was 18 years old, so close to two years ago. Angelo: It has been two years for me, I am 19 now. Daniel: I have been involved with music as an art form since I was around 5, but I only decided a couple of years ago, at 18, that I could do this as a career. Milo: I was about four or five years old. Daniel: You were four or five when you started in the music business? Milo: Well, I was four when I decided this is what I want to do for a living… haha
Q: What got you started making music?
A: Milo: My dad, he was a musician. Angelo: Listening to my parents’ record collection and all the different styles of music they love. Robert: Wanting to write songs, to communicate through song. Daniel: The way you can write a song and say a thousand things in one sentence; connecting with people and letting them know what you really think and who you are as a person.
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: Angelo: I can easily say that Maná is one of the bands that made me really enjoy music. On the English side, band’s like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime. Robert: I am going to go with Maná as well, and I love listening to Luis Fonsi, and Juanes. In English, I like Coldplay, Maroon5, and The All American Rejects. Daniel: Ricardo Arjona, Juanes, Sin Bandera, our label-mates Origen, Reik and Camila are some of my favorites. Milo: I am just discovering all those artists the guys mentioned right now; for me it’s Jazz guitarists, pianists and sax players.
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: Milo: Weightlifting. Robert: I enjoy working out, playing basketball, and writing music. Angelo: Ah not weightlifting, though I am now hitting the gym more often with these guys. Aside from listening to music all the time, a cool hobby of mine would be skydiving. Daniel: Wow, that is a good one Mex; for me it’s riding motorcycles.
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A: Robert: I just pick up the guitar, and whatever I am thinking about at that moment, I write it down. The magic just happens haha… Daniel: Oh, nice Robert, but he is right in a way. I never try to force it. Music just has to flow naturally I think. A song is born in a certain place, at a certain time, and it will shape it’s own story, you just have to let it happen. Milo: For me, anything from a new girlfriend to a bad day, to just a musical idea or melody. Angelo: Every time I have a new musical idea in my head that stays there for a while, I know it’s a good sign. When it comes to lyrics, they are usually about personal experiences or stories that I have heard from friends and family.
Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite, and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: Milo: I pretty much like all the songs I have written the same. Daniel: “Culpables Somos Los Dos”, (in English “We Are Both to Blame”) is one of my favorite songs. Like in all relationships, there are ups and downs. This is one of those songs that hits you when you are down. It’s a song that is supposed to make you stop and act differently. Like the song says, everyone has a different point of view, which for them makes sense. Robert: One of my favorite songs that I have written is in English actually. It’s called “Higher Grounds”. It was the first song I ever wrote by myself and was written about an ex-girlfriend that I was really in love with. I messed that one up, but ArenAzul fans might get to hear it someday. Angelo: I am going with “Mal Dia” (in English “Bad Day”), which is one of our singles, and it’s about just having a really really bad day, the worst. It’s funny, though, that I actually had so much fun writing that song. I think that’s important, really enjoying what you do.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: Milo: Ah, seek psychiatric assistance! Daniel: Haha… what Milo means is, it’s a tough business. You really need to believe in what you are doing, and try to be as friendly and open-minded as possible. Robert: Be creative and practice, practice, practice! Angelo: Get really involved in all aspects of the music business, educate yourself. Follow your heart, and be open to all opportunities that might come your way.
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and your choices to get into the music industry?
A: Daniel: Yes, thank God. They are very supportive. This is a dream come true for all of us, not just me, but all of my family as well. Robert: My family supports me 100%. My abuelita (grandma) was a singer in Cuba. My aunt was also a singer, and my mother always wanted to be a professional dancer. That’s why I think they support me, because they are living their dreams through me. Angelo: Well, I am lucky, because my family is very passionate about music and they are very supportive of my music as well… Milo: Depends on the day. Generally my family is supportive, but sometimes they just are not. That’s life, right?
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
A: Daniel: I see myself with my family, the band, and surrounded by many, many people that appreciate what we are doing. Milo: Touring, hopefully! Robert: Yes, touring, working really hard and performing with ArenAzul at huge stadiums all over the world. Angelo: They say you can never predict the future, but I have such a good vibe from what is going on right now that I am sure ArenAzul will be very involved in the music business in the next few years. So remember the name dear reader: ArenAzul.
Q: What is the overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: Robert: To make a decent living doing what we love. Milo: World-domination! Getting our message out to the world! Angelo: I think the best gift I can give is to inspire people, like the big talented musicians inspired me and gave me the confidence to fight for my dream. Daniel: To leave a mark in the world, to be recognized in a positive way, to put a smile on peoples’ faces, and to be happy doing what we really love to do, which is making excellent music. On behalf of all the band, thank you for this opportunity and for supporting Latin artists.
Sound Clip
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Filed under: Bands | 3 Comments »
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Lexcano & J-R
| Nov 24, 2008 @ 06:59 AM
Name of band members: Juan Alex Mateo, Joel Rivas
Type of Music: Latin Urban
Location: Boston, MA
Age: 25, 24
Birth Place: Dominican Republic
When it comes to the music industry, there are some people who got it and some that don’t. When you listen to the music by Lexcano & J-R, you can tell this is a band that has it. The rhythm and lyrics that they put out are almost mind blowing. However, the overall beat of their music is where they really shine. There hits are the ones that you can hear in clubs that get the whole room moving. These are the kinds of hits you hear on the radio! This is a band that has that special edge that is needed to make it in the music world. With their music, they are able to touch many peoples’ lives and express emotions that you just can not express with normal words. You can only express these feelings and ideas by way of music, and no one does it better than Lexcano & J-R.
Interview:
Q: How old where you, when you got started in the music industry?
A: Lexcano: I started getting into music when I was 10 years old, my mother bought me a small key board and I played with it while listening to Vico-C, El General and other Urban Latin music legends.
J-R: I’ve been exposed to music since a really young age. I grew up surrounded by a music environment since my oldest brother, father, cousins, and many other members of my family and friends have always been involved in the music industry in some way. But the braking point in my life when I decided that music was part of my life and thats how I wanted it to be, it wasn’t until just a year ago in 2007.
Q: What got you started making music?
A: Lexcano: I always had a thing for music, but it wasn’t until I moved to the US and started DJ’ing at house parties and different clubs, eventually I stated doing some recording and getting in rap battles in the back of the school bus and talent shows around my neighborhood, I was getting good feed back from people, and here we are today.
J-R: Like I said before, I’ve always been surrounded by a music environment and I’ve always love music, writing songs, expressing feelings though lyrics and singing. I guess that at a younger age I was just too focused on school and sports so I just saw music as a hobby! But now it’s the opposite. Since last year, I started getting more and more involved in the music industry, with my oldest brother “El Teacher D Los Mameros” and my friends and co-workers “Compai, Dj Emi, Lex, Kdee & Rey Kiro.” From that point on I recored my first song and got on stage for the first time together with my partner “Lex,” and since then music has become part of my life 24/7.
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: Lexcano: I listen to a lot of artists; I think everyone has its own way to add to the music industry as a whole. To get specific, when it comes to Latin artist, I listen to Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Eddie Dee, Temperamento, Lapiz Consiente, these are artist that have been able to keep them selves on the public eye, so I look at their strategies and swagger and fallow their example to extend my carrier. I also listen to American rappers, but my favorites are Jay-Z because he shows that music is in fact real business and Ludacriss because he has the best punch lines in the game.
J-R: I love music. I’ve always said that I don’t limit myself to only one type of music. I enjoy music, all kinds of music. For the same reason I listen to a lot of different successful people in the industry. From the top of my head some of the ones I like the most because of their talent and all the things I’ve learned from them are: Boyz 2 Man, Juan Luis Guerra, Luis Fonsi, Son 2, Don Omar, Aventura, Ne-Yo, Camila, Sin Bandera, and some others.
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: Lexcano: I work full time as a Human Recourses Technician for Massachusetts Army National Guard, and I’m also working on getting my master degree, on top of that I work really hard with my team to get our music on track, so that leaves me with very little time for hobbies, however I go to the gym in the mornings and throw a 2 mile jog a few times a week, other than that I’m pretty much 24 hour around the clock.
J-R: On my everyday life I work full time as a Graphic Designer. Must of my spare time I spend on my music, working together with my team, writing and recording. But I always find my way to spend time with family & friends, basketball, computers, designing, movies, and anything fun that doesn’t get me in trouble! Jejeje
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A: Lexcano: It all depends on the mood I’m in, I do a lot of on the spot writing, where I’m at the studio listening to a beat, an idea pops into my head, and I just lay it out. When I do write out side the studio, I use the personal situations that I’ve seen my self in. I’ve been deployed with the military twice, one to Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, so as a veteran, a citizen soldier and a survivor of many thoughts situations, I got plenty of material in my head to rhyme about.
J-R: Anything is an inspiration to me. There are so many ways I can come with new music that, even while I’m sleeping I’ve waken up singing a new song, or a chorus, and I’ve had to get off my bed to record it on my phone. I think that, one of the things I focus on more than anything is what our everyday lives are like. The experiences that each and every one of us goes through in our everyday lives, or that at some point in life we are involved in similar situations. So, it has a lot to do with how I feel, or how the people that surround me feel.
Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite, and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: Lexcano: This is a tough one! I’ve recorded so many songs, and they all have a lot of meaning to me in a personal level. But if I have to pick one, it would be “Soy”, this song featured in the album To The Fallen Vol 1, a record that has all original music by veteran and active duty artist. I wrote “Soy” when I was in Guantanamo; its a song about a soldier telling the world “who” and “what” he is, a soldier, whose purpose is to serve and protect the innocent and remove those individuals responsible for causing suffering, depriving children of an education, abusing women’s rights, and killing innocent people, the song is not about politic views is about the Soldier himself.
J-R: I think that all of the songs I’ve written are my favorites, because they all have meaning to me. Like I said, I always try to write things that actually have a meaning and relate to our lives. Now, in terms of executions of my songs, I think that the one that’s my favorite, and it’s actually the first song I recorded, is “Tu Primera Vez”. Why? In many years of listening to music, I don’t think I’ve been able to hear anyone address the way that people (especially females) feel about their first time making love. I think that me and my partner Lex, did a great job on the song, even though it was my first time recording.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: Lexcano: Today’s music scenery is not only about talent, it is also about who is grinding the most, set your priorities and tell your self how much you really want it, try to only surrounded by people who only want it as bad as you, always remember you can only get out of this, as much as you put into it, take all the criticism and use it to your advantage, last but not least GRIND GRIND GRIND!!
J-R: I think that music it’s a really tough career and whoever wants to get involved in it, needs to make sure that they LOVE music and not that they like music as a hobby. There’s a big difference between the two. If you love music, make sure to be prepare to battle and “Hustle” (how is said on the streets). In this industry if you have talent but you don’t hustle, it’s twice as hard for you to get somewhere. Now if you hustle, plus you have the talent I’m sure you going to see results and reactions from people right away! So, people this is a tough industry but the payback and the love from the fans it’s worth it!
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and your choices to get into the music industry?
A: Lexcano: I truly feel blessed for my friends and family. With my family at the beginning it was hard to get them to believe on my talent, but eventually they started to notice that I was very serious about it, and they have showed me support. My friends are by far the biggest reason why I’m still standing today I truly believe that GOD gave me the best friends in the world, specially J-R, for the past 2 years he has stand by my side in many different situations weather it is personal or business, and he has been a great deal of support for me and a big reason why we still making music today.
J-R: Yes! They always have! Like I said my family has been involve in the music industry for years and my friends too. And seeing me getting involve in it was to them the best decision I could make. The only person that didn’t completely agree was my mom, and that was until she heard the first song I recorded.
Q: Where do you see your band in the next few years?
A: Lexcano: I have a lot of confidence on my team, that we are going to make a lot of things happen in the next few years, we have the talent and the work ethic to get it done, and our plan is not to stop until we make it, so I see our self in a really good position in the music industry.
J-R: Honestly, I know this is a really tough industry but with the team that we have, the talent we have, all the support we have, our hard work, and first of all, with God’s will, we’ll be between the best of the Latin music, singing next to people like Juan Luis Guerra, Luis Fonsi, known world wide and bringing more, and more of our good music to all of those people that support us. I know I have the right team, and I know we going to make a lot of things happen!
Q: What is the overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: Lexcano: I want my music to reach the world, I want children to sing my songs, I want people to listen to my record and say “this is my song”. Music is the best way to put out life situations and be able to make people feel good about it; I want to make music for the fans, because they are what this is all about. Definitely want to go platinum on sales and have crowds chanting out names. But I don’t ask for much jeje!!!
J-R: Music is a great communication media and a great way to express emotions. I think that my dream is to be able to get to people though our music & lyrics bring a little happiness to their life’s and offer them our music as a way for them to settle free from the experiences we live in live. Plus, have us all realize that no matter what, we are all humans and we all go through rough situations, and all that’s left for us to do is stand up, keep going and make the best out of our lives. And music is a great way to do that, because we can enjoy it, scream, sing it, cry with it, listen to it, dance it, express ourselves and just feel better and release the stress that builds up in our everyday lives.
Sound Clip
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Filed under: Bands | No Comments »
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Trio Caliente
| Oct 29, 2008 @ 04:05 PM
Name Of Band Members:
Michael Bard – Guitarist
Deborah Benner – Vocalist
Amilcar Cruz – Guitarist
Type Of Music: Latin/World/Jazz
Location: Washington, D.C.
Birth Place:
Annandale, VA
Dayton, OH
Managau, Nicaragua
Trio Caliente is a band that is made up of people who come from very different places. However, they all share the same thing, a love for music. They have become very well known in the Washington, D.C. Area, as well as many other places. Trio Caliente has been involved with music since they were very young, and it shows when listening to one of their songs. There songs have deep meaning and feeling, and they are one of the few bands that is actually able to capture the feeling of pure love in a song. When listening to their music, it is sure to move you!
Interview:
Q: How old were you, when you got started in the music industry?
A: We were all pretty much kids in elementary school when we got involved in music.
Q: What got you started making music?
A: Seeing and hearing others performers. Being inspired by the pure love and joy of making such beautiful sounds!
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: The Gipsy Kings, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Djavan, Paco de Lucia, Queen, Metallica, Ella Fitzgerald, as well as many others!
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: Traveling, reading, going to concerts and museums, cooking, watching movies, etc.
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A: It’s different for all of us. Sometimes one member comes up with lyrics, then another member writers a melody or chord progression. When we’ve got enough to build on then we just develop the idea from there making it a fully fledged song. As far as inspiration goes it could be almost anything, like a visit to a foreign country or just watching a beautiful sunset.
Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite, and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: Probably the title track “Baila me” from out debut recording. It’s basically about having a passionate connection with someone you love and adore, a universal theme really.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: Do your homework, practice and be prepared! Find as many opportunities to perform and get your music heard, you never know who’ll be in the audience!
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and your choices to get into the music industry?
A: Yes. We all have such a love for music and performing that we really couldn’t just push it aside and not be true to ourselves.
Q: Where do you see your band in the next few years?
A: Hopefully doing more of the same, recording new material, touring, playing bigger venues, festivals, and so on.
Q: What is your overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: Continue writing songs that will inspire joy in those who hear them while continuing to be commercially successful in all of our musical endeavors.
Sound Clip
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Filed under: Bands | No Comments »
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Laura Sosa
| Sep 18, 2008 @ 04:21 PM
Name: Laura Sosa
Type of Music: Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bossas, Latin Jazz, and Jazz
Location: Habana Village, DC
Birth PLace: Lima Peru
Age: 25
Laura Sosa is a great singer who has sung with many different bands. Right now she is singing with Band Ritmo Y Sabor. The great thing about this young singer is that she has the ability to sing many different types of music. Laura Sosa was born in Lima Peru, but now lives in Habana Village DC. She is only 25 right now and is very well known in the Washington area. The future looks bright for this shining star!
Interview:
Q: How old where you, when you got started in the music Industry?
A: I was 16 when I got my first paid gig.
Q: What got you started making music?
A: My grandpa was a musician, but he also loved to sing. So, every afternoon my sister and I would join him at the leaving room to sing peruvian sons, and we loved it. Also, at the elementary school we all had to learn one song each week that we had to sing in front of the Principal every Friday. It was a lot of fun.
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: My favorite singer is Rachelle Ferrell. I also love Anita Baker, and Al Jarreau.
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: I try to go to concerts and see new shows and I love running along the Potomac.
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A: It is magic. You really never know when it is coming. In my case it usually happens when I am in my car, or I am alone at home. I feel a strong energy and I start singing something. If nothing interesting comes out then I go to the piano and there it comes. It feels good at the end.
Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite, and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: Well, it is one that is on my new album and it’s called “No Me Importa.” It talks about the suffering of a woman that unfortunately is not loved in return, but at the end she realizes that she is better without him. I believe many women have felt that way at a certain moment of their lives.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: To be very patient and persistent. Never give up on your dreams. A more practical advice would be to record themselves once in awhile. It really helps you to see what you are doing right or wrong.
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and your choices to get into the music industry?
A: Yes, I was very lucky.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
A: On a stage, singing my own songs in front of thousands of people.
Q: What is the overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: Well. I would like to develop an accessible cultural center in Peru, where children could have free access to artistic programs and cultural activities.
Sound Clip
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Filed under: Bands | No Comments »
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...Verny Varela y su orquesta
| Jun 11, 2008 @ 01:11 PM
Name of band members:
Adan Tafur (congas), Ralph Eskenazi (Timbales), Dominque Noel (Bongo), Samuel Munguia (Piano), Manuel Hernandez (Bass), David Lopez (Trumpet), Dillan (Trumpet), Carlos Ricapa (Trombone), Angela Palacios (Back Vocal), Verny Varela (Vocal and Leader)
Type of Music: Mainly Salsa, but they also play Merengue, Latin Jazz and Cumbia
Age: 37
Birth Place: Cali Colombia
Location: Washington DC
Verny Varela y su orqueta is a very well respected band in the Washington DC area. Although they mostly play Salsa music, they do touch on other types of music as well. Verny Varela is the leader of the band and also the lead vocalist. Verny Varela is 37 right now, and after listing to his music, you will see that he is on the top of his game. His music is one of a kind, and it needs to be shared with the whole world. Listening to this music makes you want to get up and start dancing, and that is exactly what Verny Varela wants!
Interview:
Q: How old where you, when you got started in the music industry?
A: I was 14
Q: What got you started making music?
A: My father who is a singer as well
Q: Who are some of the other artists and musicians that you like to listen to?
A: I like Ruben Blades, Ricardo Arjona, Alejandro Sanz, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Juanes, Oscar de Leon, Thievery Corporation, Carlos Vivies and Shakira.
Q: What are some hobbies of yours that you do in your spare time?
A: Tai Chi, watching movies, and reading
Q: How do you come up with new music? What is your inspiration?
A: Love, betrays, politics, injustices, protest.
Q: Which song that you have written is your favorite and why? What is the meaning behind it?
A: Exilio that I wrote with Eric and Rob for Thievery Corporation. It talks about why we had to leave our countries and become emigrants.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to get started in the music industry?
A: Be a dreamer. Never give up!
Q: Were your family and friends supportive of your music and you choice to get into the music industry?
A: At the begging they didn’t. I understand now why they didn’t. It’s not an easy industry to break into.
Q: Where do you see your band in the next few years?
A: I have toured with many different guys as part of their bands. I would like to see my band touring.
Q: What is the overall goal or dream that you want to achieve with your music?
A: To have a big and professional studio and produce other artists.
Sound Clip
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Filed under: Bands | 1 Comment »
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...