"Check out our new album 'Oye'"

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We're opposed to the clich 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 Lat n 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 nuevo 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 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.