VENTURI, FROM GARAGE IN MADRID TO GIG IN MAASTRICHT
Lifelong friendship and creative energy
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By Maja Jakic
Photos courtesy Venturi
Making it to the top
Think about this: Madrid natives Lucas Olazabal Arocena, Daniel Duran and Jonas Batuecas Fuejo had no idea about how to play musical instruments, at least not the ones they now must play. But here they are, making their mark – and how! – on the local music scene, turning their dreams into reality. In the last couple of months alone, they have appeared on Madrid’s public TV, Telemadrid; won the Lanzadera contest organized by the Madrid municipal government which made them eligible for Yo!Fest (they’d eventually win that too); and have been recording their first EP.
They’re the Venturi, the energetic and self-confident indie-rock trio who are a living proof that there’s more to Spanish music than reggaeton culture.
Venturi’s biggest success yet was winning Yo!Fest Emerging Bands Contest 2017 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. YO!Fest is one of the highlights of “Europe Calling,” a year of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. You know, the treaty that spilled over from the EEC, giving birth to the European Union and eventually leading to the creation of the euro.
Yo!Fest winners these cosmopolitan Madrileños shared the stage with the young luminaries of the European music scene, and had the memorable experience of playing to enthusiastic fans from all over Europe.
“We expected no one but the friends who came with us [to Maastricht] and in the end there [were many] people who came to hear our music and were enjoying it even though they didn’t understand much Spanish,” says Lucas (guitar/drums), laughing and still feeling overwhelmed by the event.
Their first music video “Para mi caballo (For My Horse)” is getting more hits every day while the guys are getting ready for their “Sonido Nómada” tour around Spain along with two other local bands, Bad Monkeys and Dusty Shoes.
You would want to join at least one of their concerts!
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With a little (evanescent) help from my friends
As the trio will tell you, Venturi got launched in the summer of 2013, in a garage with two other rockers, playing amateur instruments. Jobless, making music at least kept their mind busy. So they started jammin’.
Joined by two rocker friends
Interestingly, none of them was familiar with the instruments they play today. It is a skill they developed throughout the years, hitting the chords and producing the beat in their crammed rehearsal room.
When the others left the group, Venturi decided not to look for substitutes. It was a way to create a better atmosphere and preserve their lifelong friendship as well as their creative energy.
“We decided to keep it simple, people don’t share the passion [we have] and we don’t want to keep calling and motivating them. So we just strived to improve our playing,” Lucas says.
This is one of the reasons why Jonas and Lucas both play the drums and the guitar, switching roles from song to song. They don’t like being shackled by rigid earmarking. Each of the trio contributes equally to the demands of each occasion.
Creative process
They have been to various places: Liverpool, London, Ohio in the States. . . This has influenced their taste in music and defined the Venturi sound. But all their songs are in Spanish.
The songwriting process revolves around lead singer Daniel who is influenced by Jim Morrison. Which doesn’t mean to say that he hasn’t developed his own unique style. Expectedly, their songs are mostly about their personal experiences. Some are love-related. A few deal with social issues.
Before hitting the road in april and May, Venturi gigged at at Wild Thing Bar. (Image: Fair use)
“We want our songs to be fun, to create positive vibes. We leave it to the audience to give them their own interpretation, to define the songs for themselves,” says Daniel.
“Las chicas vienen a vernos (Girls Come to See Us)” and “Para mi caballo” are Venturi’s most popular songs to date, the most requested at concerts.
You know what? These Madrileño rockers could get carried away while playing their gigs. Often sticks drop on the stage floor, guitar strings break. But they keep on going.
“Practice a lot, try to meet different people, you never know who is going to be there to listen to you” is Jonas’ advice to local musicians.
The band played at Wild Thing Bar in Madrid last 2nd of March. They’ll be touring Spain – including Toledo, Albacete, Valencia and Madrid – in April and May.
More info on https://www.facebook.com/venturi.band/?fref=ts
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VENTURI IN MAASTRICHT
YO!FEST 2017
