Wikipedia

Aterciopelados

Aterciopelados(English:Velvet Ones), also known asLos Aterciopelados,is arock bandfromColombia,led byAndrea EcheverriandHéctor Buitrago.Their music fuses rock with a variety of Colombian and Latin American musical traditions. Aterciopelados have recorded eight albums.

Aterciopelados
Background information
OriginBogotá,Cundinamarca,Colombia
Genres
Years active1992–present
LabelsSony Music,Nacional Records
MembersAndrea Echeverri(vocals, acoustic guitar)
Héctor Buitrago(bass)
Mauricio Montenegro (drums)
WebsiteAterciopelados

The group has won fourLatin Grammy Awardsfrom eight nominations, including Best Alternative Album in 2007 forOye,[1]as well as fourGrammy Awardnominations. Their song "Bolero Falaz" topped Canal Viva Colombia's list of the 1,000 most important songs ofColombian rock,[2]and several more of their songs also made the list, including "Maligno", "El Estuche", "Mujer Gala" and "Sortilegio".

Aterciopelados are internationally recognized for their socially conscious message, and regularly discuss issues including political injustice, women's rights, and environmental destruction. They were honored by theUnited Nationsfor their work denouncing violence inColombia.

Background

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Primarily a collaboration between vocalist/guitaristAndrea Echeverriand bassist/arrangerHéctor Buitrago,who began collaborating inBogotá,Colombia,in the early 1990s as "Delia y los Aminoácidos".[3]Buitrago came from ahardcore punkbackground, leading a group called La Pestilencia, while Echeverri had been drawn into the nascent scene through art school friends. Buitrago had been a fan ofboogaloobyRichie Rayin his childhood, and later bands includingLed Zeppelin,Deep Purple,andYes,and taught himself bass guitar by ear.[3]Together they went on to open a rock club in Bogotá.

Music and albums

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Aterciopelados play at Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington.

Aterciopelados have recorded eight albums. Their first album,Con El Corazón en la Mano( "With my Heart in my Hand" ), features heavy distorted guitars and a loud punk drumbeat.

On their second album,El Dorado( "The Golden One" ), Aterciopelados began including traditional llanera rhythms of the Colombian countryside. Their first major hit single, "Bolero Falaz" ( "Phony Bolero" ), featured arock–bolerosound, and broke the band onMTV Latin America.

Their third album,La Pipa de la Paz( "The Pipe of Peace" ), was recorded in London withRoxy MusicguitaristPhil Manzaneraproducing. Signature songs from the album included "Cosita Seria" ( "A Little Something Serious" ), "Chica Difícil" ( "Difficult Girl" ), and "Baracunatana". After the release of the album, Aterciopelados toured the United States, recording anMTV Unpluggedappearance in early 1997.

The following year the band releasedCaribe Atómico( "Atomic Caribbean" ), recorded inManhattanwith guest appearances by guitarists Arto Lindsay and Marc Ribot, which broadened their sound with electronic influences.

Gozo Poderoso( "Powerful Joy" ), their fifth album, was recorded in Bogotá and produced by Buitrago. Following the album's release, Aterciopelados won aLatin Grammy Awardfor Best Rock Group.[1]The album was followed a couple of years byEvolución,a collection of greatest hits.

In 1996, Aterciopelados performed "Una Hoja, Una Raiz (One Leaf, One Root)" with Diego Frenkel andLaurie Andersonfor theAIDSbenefit albumSilencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latinproduced by theRed Hot Organization.

In 2006, Aterciopelados releasedOye( "Listen" ) onNacional Records,a return to the rock sound of their earlier work on albums such asLa Pipa de la Paz.Produced by Buitrago and mixed byThom Russo,the album's first single, "Complemento", is an upbeat declaration of love from someone who has found a soulmate who complements her. The album also features social and political commentary on songs like "Don Dinero" ( "Mr. Money" ), about society's obsession with money, "Oye Mujer" ( "Woman, Listen" ) which discusses the objectification of women, and "Canción Protesta" ( "Protest Song" ), a polemic against war and injustice. The video for "Canción Protesta" features the group using guitars made from decommissioned machine guns, presented to the band by theUnited Nationsin recognition of its advocacy against gun violence inColombia.During this period the band played shows inMexico,Central and South America, Europe and the U.S.

On 21 October 2008, Aterciopelados released their 7th albumRio( "River" ) onNacional Records,recorded inBogotáand mixed byHéctor Castilloin New York City. The album's opener and title track is a reference to a proposed Colombian constitutional referendum to declare access to clean drinking water as a fundamental right for all Colombian citizens, and provide maintenance and preservation rights.[4]The track "Bandera" ( "Flag" ) discusses immigration issues, inspired by the difficulties the band had experienced entering certain countries while touring.[4]Guests on the album include rapper Gloria "Goyo" Martínez of Colombian hip hop actChoc Quib Townon "28", Andean groupKapary Walkaon "Madre" ( "Mother" ) and "Aguita" ( "Little Water" ), and Echeverri's daughter on "Ataque de Risa" ( "Laughing Fit" ). The album was received positively byRolling Stone,[5]The Washington Post,[6]Billboard,[citation needed]NPR'sAll Things Considered,[7]andVibemagazine.[8]Aterciopelados launched an extensive tour of the United States in April 2009 in support of the album.[9]

Their most recent albumClaroscura,from 2018, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album, and was nominated in the Grammy awards 2019 as Best Latin alternative, Urban album.

Solo albums

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In 2005 and 2006, Echeverri and Buitrago made solo albums: Echeverri's self-titledAndrea Echeverriand Buitrago'sConEctor.Andrea Echeverriis centered around Echeverri's experiences of pregnancy and becoming a mother.[10]ConEctor,which translates as "with Héctor" or "connector", explores themes of contemporary spirituality, and features several guest artists including Echeverri,Alex UbagoandJulieta Venegas.[11]

Political views and activism

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The band has a strongly socially conscious message. They regularly discuss social issues publicly, and have been involved in a range of projects related to progressive causes. They have been honored by theUnited Nationsfor their work denouncing violence inColombia.[citation needed]Andrea Echeverri said in 2008: "If we are invited to a worthy cause, we are there. Only by respecting Mother Earth and the rights of everyone can the world truly live in harmony".[12]

Water rights activism

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Aterciopelados' albumRio,released 21 October 2008, coincided with discussion of a proposed Colombian constitutional referendum to declare access to water as a fundamental right for Colombian citizens. "When I was growing up, the Bogotá River was considered a mythic and iconic place, and now it's a tiny stream", said Echeverri.[4]Buitrago noted, "While on previous albums, we may have simply declared many of the world's problems, we now strive to work in a more active way. In this case, it is with the recovery of Bogotá's river, as it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world."[4]

The album features a strongly environmentalist message. In the song "Aguita" ( "Water" ), Echeverri sings that "the water belongs to everyone / Not to the highest bidder." In August, the band raised awareness of the issue by traveling down the Bogotá River gathering signatures for the referendum. By 15 September, over two million signatures had been collected, advancing the referendum to the next phase of the process.[13]Since 2010 the band have been organizing a global initiative called Cantoalagua, highlighting the importance of the planet's water on the planet.

Amnesty International

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Aterciopelados collaborated withAmnesty InternationalandLink TVfor a human rights project featuring a new version of "Cancion Protesta", from their 2006 album,Oye,to commemorate the 60th anniversary of theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights.The song was re-written to address issues of human rights, under the title "The Price of Silence". TheUnited Nationsgranted unprecedented access to theUnited Nations General Assemblyfor the filming of the video. Other artists involved includedStephen Marley(Jamaica),Gilberto Gil(Brazil),Angélique Kidjo(Benin),Yerba Buena(PanLatin),Julieta Venegas(Mexico),Emmanuel Jal(Sudan),Hugh Masekela(South Africa) andRachid Taha(France/Algeria).

Destierro y Reparación

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In Colombia, Aterciopelados is involved with the Destierro y Reparacion (Displacement and Reparations) project, which addresses the issue of displacement of native peoples.[14]Promoted by the Museum of Antioquia, the project aims to raise popular awareness of the dimensions and implications of forced displacement, as a phenomenon weakening social stability.[15]Additionally, the project aims to identify possible methods and forms of reparation that would ensure the application of fundamental rights and protect the culture of the affected communities. The project features discussions, workshops, exhibits and concerts and includes the participation of more than 20 institutions. Aterciopelados contributed the song "Errante Diamante" (Wandering Diamond) in support of the project.

Awards and nominations

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Grammy Awards

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Aterciopelados have received fiveGrammy Awardnominations from the U.S.National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.In 2006, Andrea Echeverri received her first solo nomination.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1998 La Pipa de la Paz Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Nominated
1999 Caribe Atómico Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Nominated
2002 Gozo Poderoso Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Nominated
2006 Andrea Echeverri Best Latin Pop Album Nominated
2010 Río Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Nominated
2019 Claroscura Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album Nominated

Latin Grammy Awards

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The band have received four Latin Grammy Awards from eight nominations from theLatin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001 "El Album" Record of the Year Nominated
2001 Gozo Poderoso Best Rock Vocal Album, Duo or Group[1] Won
2001 "El Album" Best Rock Song Nominated
2005 Andrea Echeverri Best Female Pop Vocal Album Nominated
2007 Oye Best Alternative Music Album[1] Won
2007 "Complemento" Best Rock Song[1] Nominated
2009 Pombo Musical (Varios Artistas) Best Latin Children's Album Won
2018 Claroscura Best Alternative Music Album Won

Other recognition

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In 2001, Aterciopelados was recognized by the writers ofTimemagazine as one of the top 10 contemporary global bands (outside of the United States), which includedU2and the Rolling Stones.[16]In 2006, the magazine wrote that "Aterciopelados's true skill lies in its ability to take north-of-the-border musical styles... and breathe new life into them, all while giving them a distinctly Colombian sheen."[17]

Oyewon a PremioLo Nuestroaward in 2008 for Album of the Year.[18]

Their song "Bolero Falaz" topped Canal Viva Colombia's list of the 1,000 most important songs ofColombian rock,[2]and several more of their songs also made the list, including "Maligno", "El Estuche", "Mujer Gala" and "Sortilegio".

In 2010 at "Premios Shock" event, they received a tribute produced byCesar Lopezand Julio Monroy, with artists including Juan Galeano and EsteMan playing their songs.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Compilation albums

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  • 2000 -Serie 2000
  • 2002 -Evolución
  • 2004 -The Best of Aterciopelados: Ultimate Collection
  • 2005 -20 Éxitos Originales
  • 2007 -Lo Esencial

Live albums

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References

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  1. ^abcde"LATIN GRAMMY Winners Search".Archived fromthe originalon 9 June 2009.Retrieved18 August2009.
  2. ^ab"Las Mil Canciones Más Importantes del Rock Colombiano".Retrieved5 February2016.
  3. ^abNacional Records (August 2006). "Aterciopelados Nominated for Two Latin Grammy Awards". Press release. Retrieved on November 2007.
  4. ^abcdAterciopelados to Release New Studio Album Rio October 21 on Nacional Records. Press release. Retrieved on October 2008.
  5. ^"Rio: Aterciopelados: Review: Rolling Stone".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon 30 April 2009.Retrieved30 August2017.
  6. ^"Recordings Quick Spins".The Washington Post.21 October 2008.Retrieved25 April2010.
  7. ^"Aterciopelados: Optimistic Rock From Colombia".All Things Considered.
  8. ^"Redirecting".Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved29 October2008.
  9. ^Aterciopelados Announce Extensive Spring 09 Tour Across the U.S."Invalid Friend ID".Archived fromthe originalon 7 February 2009.Retrieved11 February2009.
  10. ^"Amazon listing".amazon.Retrieved25 April2021.
  11. ^"Amazon listing"(PDF).amazon.Retrieved25 April2021.
  12. ^Nacional Records (September 2008). "Aterciopelados to Release New Studio Album Rio October 21st on Nacional Records". Press release. Retrieved on October 2008.
  13. ^"Ecofondo".Archived fromthe originalon 10 November 2008.Retrieved4 November2008.
  14. ^"Destierro y Reparación | Desterrando la indiferencia, Reparamos nuestra dignidad".Archived fromthe originalon 30 October 2008.Retrieved4 November2008.
  15. ^[1][permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^Butler, Rhett (15 September 2001)."And Our Winners Our..."Time.Archived fromthe originalon 23 August 2013.Retrieved25 June2008.
  17. ^Miranda, Carolina (27 October 2006)."Colombia's Hottest Rock Band".Time.Archived fromthe originalon 31 July 2008.Retrieved25 April2010.
  18. ^"What Are the Most Popular Latin Music Genres?".LiveAbout.1 January 2010.Retrieved25 April2021.

Sources

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