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"We’re opposed to the cliché about rockers, that all the songs sound the same, the poses and the lyrics — we have been inspired by all of world music, by rock, by electronica, and especially Latin American popular music, which hasn’t been difficult because those were the sounds that we grew up listening to... "

Hector Buitrago,
Aterciopelados

     Over the last several years the restless youth of Latín America (and their Latino cousins up North) have been swept up in the Latin alternative scene. They like their hip-hop and alternative rock, but they don’t want to give up their soulful, folkloric roots. At the forefront of this new wave is Aterciopelados (the Velvets), whose music would feel equally at home at a rock concert, electronica lounge, or salsa club. They can rock like Radiohead, but they have the same dedication to Latin music’s traditions as the Buena Vista Social Club.
      Essentially a collaboration between vocalist/guitarist Andrea Echeverri and bassist/arranger Hector Buitrago, Aterciopelados has recorded eight albums since they originally teamed up in Bogota, Colombia in the early ‘90s as “Delia y los Aminoacidos”. “Hector was an essential revelation in my personal and musical life,” said Andrea. “He brought new aesthetics, unsuspected rebellion, and truckloads of music.” Buitrago came from a hardcore rock background, heading up a group called La Pesitilencia, while Echeverri had been drawn into the fledgling scene through art school friends. “When I was young I listened to bugaloo by Richie Rey and later stuff like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Yes,” said Hector. “The first time I bought a bass guitar, I’d never had one in my hands before. I began to write songs by ear.” Hector and Andrea went on to open one of Bogota’s only rock clubs, and their relationship is one Latin rock’s most successful artistic partnerships.
     Their first album, Con El Corazon en la Mano, features crashing, distorted guitars and a punishing punk drumbeat. With their second album, El Dorado, Aterciopelados began to expand their horizons, including traditional llanera rhythms of the Colombian countryside as well as the flamenco-bolero sound of their first big hit, “Bolero Falaz.” “At first what we were doing was very elementary”, said Andrea. “But since we’ve played out a lot, learned to compose, and made a few records, even though we haven’t had a lot of formal training in music, we’ve just learned how to develop. We’ve done it in a very instinctive way, but I think it’s very valid.”
      The hit song “Bolero Falaz” not only had a strong rock-ballad feel, but it showcased Andrea’s powerfully seductive voice, one influenced by her mother, who sang boleros, rancheras, and tangos, and the great legends of new song, like Juan Manuel Serrat, Mercedes Sosa, and Pablo Milanes. The song broke the band on MTV Latino and made them stars all over Latin America. Their third album, La Pipa de la Paz, was recorded in London with legendary Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera producing. The album’s signature songs, “Cosita Seria”, “Chica Dificil”, and “Baracunatana” were hard-driving Latin rock classics that defined Echeverri’s coy, new-feminist attitude by teasing macho men. After releasing La Pipa de la Paz Aterciopelados was able to tour in the U.S., recording an MTV Unplugged appearance in early 1997. The following year Caribe Atomico which was recorded in Manhattan with guest appearances by guitarists Arto Lindsay and Marc Ribot further expanded Aterciopelados’ sound into the world of electronica.
     Gozo Poderoso (Powerful joy), their fifth album, is a melodic, moody manifesto for the vibrantly eclectic Latin alternative movement. It is world music for a new world. Recorded in Bogotà and produced by Hector Buitrago, this album led the way to independence and development of their own true sound. A couple of years later came Evolucion, a collection of greatest hits, followed by two solo albums, Andrea’s self-titled Andrea Echeverri and Hector’s Conector. Andrea Echeverri is centered around Echeverri’s experiences being pregnant, giving birth, nursing, and loving. Conector, which translates both as “with Hector” and “connector”, connects musicians, ideas, paths, and results in a potent inner perspective of contemporary spirituality. Andrea and Hector were both very much involved in the other’s solo project. Currently they are working on a new Aterciopelados album that will be out in fall 2006.
     Aterciopelados have always demonstrated an unflagging commitment to their music as art, and as an instrument of reaching people. Now that the civil war in Colombia is intensifying and more innocent victims get caught up in its devastation, the band recognizes their responsibility to celebrate their love for their traditions, while speaking to the modernizing tastes of Latín American youth. You can see it vividly, whether they’re playing a show in the main square of La Paz, Bolivia to celebrate the declaration of human rights, or whether it’s Andrea tossing plastic flowers into an army of Latin rockers in New York or Los Angeles.

Reviews

"Musical mavericks often reject the past; this Colombian electro-rock duo is dragging its traditions into the present, marinating its songs in South American rhythms."

TIME MAGAZINE

"Aterciopelados ("Velvety Ones") are one of the most important and most likable bands in current Latin rock. The group is led by the songwriters Andrea Echeverri, the lead singer, and Hector Buitrago, the bassist. They annex and combine styles with a merry disregard for boundaries: new wave, lounge music, reggae, bossa nova, electro, hard rock, bolero, Mexican banda, house, rumba-rock and straightforward pop anthems, not to mention surf-rock lead-guitar lines."

NEW YORK TIMES