Los Amigos Invisibles

Hailing from Venezuela, Los Amigos Invisibles embraces a funky blend of genres. In fact, they literally embrace elements of funk, rock, and alternative pop in each of their songs. Songs such as their hit, "Mentiras," have clearly mixed beats and prominent guitar. Los Amigos Invisibles are a hit within their home nation and are slowly climbing international charts. The Latin music world has recognized their talents several times in the past and they have been extremely successful with tours. 

Los Amigos Invisibles are a band who embraces a unique sound, while still playing towards a mass audience. This means that they are fairly alternative, but the mainstream still appreciates their sound. Some Latin artists struggle to gain fame in countries such as the U.S. because of the language barrier. However, this particular band is a wonderful example of how music can transverse the boundaries of language. The beats, vocals, and instrumentation overpower the potential lack of understanding. It honestly surprises me that that many artists who perform in other languages are not well-recognized. You see, people listen to music without lyrics every day. Trap, electrohouse, and dubstep all utilize artificial beats and almost no vocals. As such, vocals are not always the most important part of a song.

In this case, vocals can be appreciated even without understanding. The lead singer's voice is truly magnificent. His tone, rasp, and overall dynamics match the instrumentation and tempo of each song perfectly. This combination makes for a powerful sound and a band worthy of international recognition. Los Amigos Invisibles are, luckily, climbing the international ladder. Hopefully we'll see them performing in the U.S. regularly in the near future!

Verdena

In honor of my 20th blog post, I would like to feature one of my favorite international artists. Verdena is an Italian alternative-rock band with a psychedelic style.

Some people consider Verdena to be a "garage band." However, I believe that their raw, grungy sound is distinguished when matched with their lyrics. These lyrics, however, are in Italian. Many bands have covered their songs in translated form, but few covers compare to the original band's work. Classic elements of rock such as guitar solos, prominent drums, and bright dynamics drive a fast and exciting approach. It is hard to match a sound so unique, yet so classic in nature.

Instrumentation is key to Verdena, as with any rock band. The song below is called "Luna." Elements of guitar riffs, growling (vocally,) and rapid tempo can be heard throughout this particular piece. The song tells a story, even if you don't understand the language. I've mentioned before that music breaks the language barrier, and that is perfectly clear here. It is very easy to get immersed with the emotion and power behind Verdena's songs. In fact, I have reached a point where I no longer notice the lack of understanding. It is remedial to simply listen. That is the power of good music.

If you like '90s grunge bands such as Nirvana, then Verdena is the band for you. They have been together for several years and released six albums to date. Verdena is still together and regularly touring/ releasing music. I highly recommend this band to anyone who is passionate about music and any form of alternative-rock.