Vive Velorio!
Vive Velorio!
Vive Velorio!
Local Latin prog-rockers hit back with strong follow-up – CD party 8/29!
Above: Velorio, from left: Ben Gomez, Jason Blakey, Alvaro Caceres,
Adrian Nevarez, Eric Powers. Courtesy photo.
By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor
Change has been good for Velorio.
Just a year ago, the Bakersfield quintet was being watched on international TV after winning SiTV’s ‘Jammin’ online band battle, and making it to the finals broadcast.
Although the band lost to a group described as another “future pop music casualty”, it was probably better that Velorio took home the consolation prize. We all know what happens to artists who ultimately win those type of competitions…Bye-bye…
Like most new bands making a big impression in high-profile places early in their careers, Velorio took the experience and immediately planned their next moves - write, tour, and record.
Where their ’07 debut EP stuck safely to experimental Latin roots, Velorio’s new offering takes big steps both musically and lyrically.
Starting with the opening track, “Nunca Cambiaras” (Never Change,) to “Lights, Camera, Dissastifaction”, a tune that would make Incubus raise a shot glass, onto “El Velorio”, that harkens memories of Woodstock. From beginning to end - this CD will make you light another.
Above: Velorio's new CD art.
Simply titled, “Velorio”, it’s ready to drop on fans, and to celebrate they’re having a big party at Club Odyssey, inside The Doubletree Hotel on Saturday, August 29, at 9pm. Opening will be Mento Buru, Get Up Get Down, and The Natural Movement.
As the world’s 'roc en espanol' scene seems to be taking a creative siesta by trying to imitate their U.S. idols, Velorio’s music reminds you of why you still wear your old Caifanes T-shirt. You can’t bring back the dead, but you can rest assured that within the armies of bands spinning their wheels – there is hope in the Valle Central.
Take that ‘Vive Latino’!
Bakotopia sat down with the multi-instrumental band that includes: Alvaro Caceres – lead vocals, guitar, trumpet, Ben Gomez – bass, vocals, Eric Powers – keys, vocals, Adrian Nevarez – drums, keys, Jason Blakely – drums, bass, to find about their latest journey.
B: Velorio has gone through some line-up changes since the last time we spoke. How much has it affected your sound and mindset as an artist trying to make it happen?
Through the addition of Jason and Adrian, who are excellent, trained musicians we have taken our sound to a new musical level.
The musicianship and performance aspects are at a place that we’ve never before accomplished and we look forward to everyone experiencing this.
Jason and Adrian have played together in previous musical endeavors, and as such have a keen ability to play off of one another. This has lent itself to chemistry between everyone that is extremely explosive when it comes to musical force.
B: I noticed on your website, you did some travelling to Chicago recently. How was the trip?
The audiences were captivated, everyone enjoyed it.
We’re planning another trip back soon. Chicagoans want to hear live music; they seem to thrive on it. Before one of the shows, and armed with headphones and an iPod, a couple of us walked around and had people listen to the album.
25 people followed us back to the show. The people who helped us get there were extremely hospitable toward us in every way possible. Support from Maladictos and Sobre enabled us to play 3 shows: Fiesta del Sol, a street fair with over a million people in attendance over the course of 4 days, a private and intimate show atmosphere at Black Gate Studios, and a good old bar show at The Cobra Lounge, a place with 365 days of live music.
In addition, we were interviewed live by Radio Arte, a Latino-owned, bilingual, youth-driven public radio station, as well as a local television show called “Enchufate” soon to be available online.
This trip would not have been possible were it not for our manager Claudia Guerrero with Chicle Atomico. We got nothing but love to and from Chi-town.
B: You’ve been involved with some cool projects on TV (SiTV / Mun2) and on the web. How does it make you feel being a Bakersfield band being watched at times by the whole world?
It freaks Adrian out. It’s nice to see that hard work pays off. We’ve spent the last 2 1/2 years attempting to make what you say a reality. Jason says, “It’s humbling.
We’re flattered that people take the time to hear and really listen to what it is we’re making available. We’ve spent a long time working out parts and perfecting the sound to a point where we’re extremely proud of what has come of it, and are excited to be sharing it with the world.”
B: Velorio’s ‘07 self-titled ep with ‘Maltratos’ was a great representation of your early style. What can fans look forward to with your new disc?
The sound of Velorio has matured quite a bit from the EP, which was recorded in a garage by 3 people. The LP is a culmination of 5 distinct people from different backgrounds conglomerating into a cohesive collaboration of style and taste, recorded in a professional studio in LA.
B: What were some of the stand out moments recording this record?
We recorded the album at Veneto West with Ronan “Chris” Murphy, a man with several hundred albums under his belt (Tool, Los Lobos, etc).
He’s not just a rock producer; he’s worked on Latin music, pop music, and most notably, world music. He’s traveled the world, and when we scheduled our recording time, it was between two trips to Spain. He’s fantastic and was exactly what we needed.
While recording, we had several points when we were all recording simultaneously; a percussion party, a shaker party, and a pedal party. Magic was in the air and on the floor. The process of Ronan’s recording made it feel like we were hanging out with friends and having a good time. When we were recording, none of us did so alone.
There was always two or more of us playing at the same time, which lent to a more solid and together sound. A dinosaur attacked Ronan.
Ben says it’s necessary in any studio to have the book “This Book Will Change Your Life”. It really will change your life.
B: Your CD release party on August 29 sounds pretty big. What do you have in store for the fans?
A high energy show pumped through a great sound system in an awesome venue that will make you want to dance.
If you enjoy music and like to move your body, this show is where you need to be. We’re very excited to share the stage with Get Up Get Down for their last show in town, with Mento Buru, the pioneers of Latin music in Bakersfield, as well as The Natural Movement, the sickest hip-hop act in town.
Our goal for this release show is to provide a showcase of different genres in town for everyone to see.
B: Any freaky band-bonding rituals?
We can’t tell you; you must be shown.
B: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
After our success in Chicago, we’re looking into playing several shows in Baja California; crossing the border is what our music craves. We’ve been talking to several promoters and our manager regarding a west coast tour from Texas to Washington in the spring. We’ll be heading up to the Bay Area soon for some shows in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and surrounding areas. We’re also looking forward to writing more music and getting it recorded for you to hear.
B: Latin rock’s earliest traces go back to Santana’s debut at Woodstock 40 years ago this August. If you could go back in a time machine – how do you think Velorio would do at the same festival?
We would have physically exploded if we played that show with Santana.
Woodstock would have been crazy; nearly unfathomable. The people watching probably would have been tripped out. It would have changed our lives; Alvie probably would have been assassinated, Ben would have gone into a coma, only to wake up in the 80s saying “what happened to music?”
Adrian would have sold the script of “Ghostbusters”, making him an instant millionaire, Eric would have bet one of his friends he could start a religion, write a book and now have movie stars following him, and Jason would be in a movie with Jamie Foxx.
B: Would you try the infamous “brown acid” they warned people not to take at Woodstock 40 years ago?
Wouldn’t you?
On the web:
www.veloriomusic.com
Related link:
(Click cover below to read about the band's early beginnings!)
Velorio CD Release Party!
w/ Mento Buru, The Natural Movement, Get Up Get Down
-August 29th, 2009
-Club Odyssey @ The Doubletree - 3100 Camino Del Rio Ct.
-9 p.m. / $10 / 21+ /
-Info: 661-472-8378
Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 61, 8-20-09
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