La Buena Vida
Encyclopedia
La Buena Vida is an indie pop
group from San Sebastián, Spain
. The band was formed in 1988 and continues to make music as of today. They have recorded 7 albums and 14 EP
s. Their music is a form of pop also known as the Donosti Sound, a 1990s indie pop movement in San Sebastián.
and of their countrymen Aventuras de Kirlian
. They were also influenced by pop music of the late 1960s like Love
, The Beatles
, The Beach Boys
, The Velvet Underground
, Honeybus
, Pic Nic and Vainica Doble, with touches of bossa nova
and soul
. They have also recognized the influence of French chanson
(Serge Gainsbourg
and Françoise Hardy
). Their lyrics in this first stage reflect everyday life situations, as well as the feelings and concerns of average kids of their age (approximately 18) using a melancholical and evocative but natural tone.
Their second stage began with the LP Soidemersol (1997). Parting from their usual influences while keeping their own personality, they began to use complex orchestral arrangements in their songs. Their lyrics also began to mature, reflecting more complex sentiments and often being much more bitter and less innocent than before.
Today, La Buena Vida is one of the most respected and influential indie pop groups in Spain.
Borja Sanchez, founder of the group and lead guitarist, left the group after the album Soidemersol. On February 17 of 2009, the departure of Irantzu Valencia, the group's main singer for the last 15 years, was announced via the band's website.
Pedro San Martin (Bass) died on May 14, 2011.The musician who was 39 years old had a car accident after a concert in Burgos (Spain).
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
group from San Sebastián, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The band was formed in 1988 and continues to make music as of today. They have recorded 7 albums and 14 EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s. Their music is a form of pop also known as the Donosti Sound, a 1990s indie pop movement in San Sebastián.
Biography
The band's career can be divided into two stages. Initially, their music bore many similarities in sound and attitude with groups known as "twee pop", in particular those of the legendary UK label Sarah RecordsSarah Records
Sarah Records was a UK independent record label active between 1987 and 1995, best known for its recordings of indie pop.The label was formed in Bristol in 1987 by Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes, and grew out of the fanzine scene at the time, Haynes having previously edited Are You Scared To Get...
and of their countrymen Aventuras de Kirlian
Aventuras de Kirlian
Aventuras de Kirlian was a Spanish indie rock band in the 1980s. Although they experienced only moderate commercial success, they achieved a significant cult following in the Basque country, and their music has been a major influence on many Spanish bands of the 1990s...
. They were also influenced by pop music of the late 1960s like Love
Love (band)
Love was an American rock group of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were led by singer/songwriter Arthur Lee and lead guitarist Johnny Echols...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
, Honeybus
Honeybus
Honeybus were a 1960s pop group formed in April 1967, in London. They were best known for their 1968 UK Top 10 hit single, "I Can't Let Maggie Go".-Line-up:The best known line-up consisted of:...
, Pic Nic and Vainica Doble, with touches of bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
. They have also recognized the influence of French chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
(Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg was a French singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's extremely varied musical style and individuality make him difficult to categorize...
and Françoise Hardy
Françoise Hardy
Françoise Madeleine Hardy is a French singer, actress and astrologer. Hardy is an iconic figure in fashion, music and style. She is married to the singer and movie actor Jacques Dutronc.-Biography:...
). Their lyrics in this first stage reflect everyday life situations, as well as the feelings and concerns of average kids of their age (approximately 18) using a melancholical and evocative but natural tone.
Their second stage began with the LP Soidemersol (1997). Parting from their usual influences while keeping their own personality, they began to use complex orchestral arrangements in their songs. Their lyrics also began to mature, reflecting more complex sentiments and often being much more bitter and less innocent than before.
Today, La Buena Vida is one of the most respected and influential indie pop groups in Spain.
Members
- Irantzu Valencia (vocals)
- Mikel Aguirre (vocals and guitar)
- Pedro San Martín (bass)
- Javier Sánchez (guitar)
- Raúl Sebastián (drums)
- José Luis Lanzagorta (keyboard)
Borja Sanchez, founder of the group and lead guitarist, left the group after the album Soidemersol. On February 17 of 2009, the departure of Irantzu Valencia, the group's main singer for the last 15 years, was announced via the band's website.
Pedro San Martin (Bass) died on May 14, 2011.The musician who was 39 years old had a car accident after a concert in Burgos (Spain).
Albums
- La Buena Vida (Siesta, 1992)
- La Buena Vida (Siesta, 1994) (known by fans as "Los mejores momentos", the title of the album's first song)
- Soidemersol (Siesta, 1997)
- Panorama (Siesta, 1999)
- Hallelujah! (Siesta, 2001)
- Álbum (Sinnamon, 2003)
- Vidania (Sinnamon, 2006)
- Sencillos (Siesta, 2007) (collection of singles and rarities)
Singles and EPs
- La Buena Vida (Siesta, 1992)
- La Buena Vida (Siesta, 1994)
- Magnesia (Siesta, 1995)
- Pacífico (Siesta, 1997)
- Desde Hoy en Adelante (Siesta, 1997)
- Tormenta en la Mañana (Siesta, 1999)
- Eureka (Siesta, 2000)
- Qué nos va a pasar (Siesta, 2001)
- Harmónica (Siesta, 2002)
- Los Planetas (Sinnamon, 2003)
- Desde Aquí (Sinnamon, 2003)
- Un Actor Mejicano (Sinnamon, 2003)
- hh-mm-ss (Sinnamon, 2004)
- La Mitad de Nuestras Vidas (Sinnamon, 2006)
- Viaje Por Países Pequeños (El Volcán, 2009)