For the first time in ten years, Australian audiences will be privy to one of the most electrifying acts to come out of Latin America – Los Amigos Invisibles.
Hailing from Caracas in Venezuela, Los Amigos Invisibles ['The Invisible Friends'] are the darlings of the international club circuit producing an incredible blend of funk and Latin rhythms that spans the spectrum of the genre.“We try to not be an imitation of what's on the radio,” bandleader and vocalist Julio Briceño says.
“We were huge fans of the funk from the '70s – a lot of disco; we also like a lot of salsa and the Latin beat.
“So we try to mix everything together to have a unique sound so by the end it is like the Los Amigos sound. I don't know how to describe it. . . we were also DJs trying to make the scene in Caracas in the '90s.”
Los Amigos Invisibles released their latest single, 'Tócamela', last year and Julio says that having done studio albums since their debut in 1995, the band has decided to release all their new music this year as singles rather than produce a full album.
“'Tócamela' was a good experiment in that we put it out as a single,” Julio explains. “Right now, everything is a single, you know? Not many people have time to listen to a whole record. So after ten studio records, we're going to be working with singles.
“It's cheaper for the band economy and I think you can focus all your media, social media and everything on every song.
“We're going to be releasing singles this year; this next one is going to be out on Valentine's Day and it's a very interesting track I really like because it came out of Venezuelan tambores rhythm and it ended up like a K-pop [track], really beautiful.”
Los Amigos Invisibles' first Australian venture in a decade will bring the band back to WOMADelaide, a festival that holds great significance for Julio when he thinks about how far they have come. “I remember a lot of the festival in Adelaide, WOMADelaide,” he recalls.
“It was really good for the band I think to keep up our spirit, that we can play in a place where nobody has heard the band, and the connection with the crowd was amazing.”
For their upcoming Australian shows, Julio says Los Amigos Invisibles will have a chance to expand their set list outside the standard songs they have to play when touring in their most popular markets.
“For example, when we play in Latin America there are some classic singles that we have to play at every gig,” he says. “So we remember that in Adelaide, especially WOMADelaide, we could change the set and we don't have to play the singles.
“The main thing when we're playing live is to try to put on a show that makes everyone smile and makes people happy. So it's a non-stop show, almost like a DJ set but everything is played live and with samplers.”
Los Amigos Invisibles 2020 Tour Dates
Fri 6 Mar - The Metro Theatre (Sydney)Sat 7 Mar - The Night Cat (Melbourne)
8-9 Mar - WOMADelaide @ Botanic Park (Adelaide)
Wed 11 Mar - The Triffid (Brisbane)
Fri 13 Mar - Parramasala @ Prince Alfred Park (Sydney)
