By José Gandue @Gandour
Photo by Nicolás Manzano.
Is called Juan Olmedillo and was a key figure in some of the best eras of Venezuelan rock with his previous band, The Mints. With this group, he toured much of Latin America, spreading great displays of fun and powerful rock and roll, and performing at some of the region's main festivals. A few years later, alongside Claudia Lizardo, he recorded more intimate and personal songs under the name of The Little Revenge, with an interesting impact on the music scene in his country. He recently settled in Mexico City and, with a master's degree in hand, Nowhere, His first solo album, "La Nación," has begun promoting his work, releasing it this week on digital platforms. We were able to connect with him via WhatsApp and discuss his current projects, the sound he's developed, and what's next.
What does your new musical adventure sound like?
It's a summary of everything I've done so far (Los Mentas and La Pequeña Revancha) in the sense that I'm not exploring a new genre as such. It's still rock, but more in line with my current stage of life and my age. That's why the maturity is more noticeable in the lyrics than in the music itself. But in short, it's very classic rock with a very Latin American spirit. Even the cumbia and the more Latin-influenced tracks on the album have a rock approach.
At what point did you decide to pursue a solo career?
When Los Mentas broke up, I was already involved with La Pequeña Revancha. However, some things remained unfinished regarding the more rock and roll sound of my first band. I accumulated songs that I wanted to promote without involving my partner (Claudia Lizardo) since they didn't fit LPR's sound or aesthetic. Once I had a substantial group of songs, I decided to start producing them, and that's how these 8 songs came about. Nowhere. I've always enjoyed having collaborators when sharing songs, but at the same time, I also believe in the authenticity of more personal art. All of this led me to the decision to launch my solo career with this album.
I imagine that leaving Venezuela also helped with the decision, right?
It's certainly a motivating factor. When I started producing this album, I was still in Caracas and had no concrete plans to leave. However, the atmosphere wasn't the best for promoting an album. Most of my musical collaborators had left (Los Mentas) or were about to leave the country. In that sense, thinking about a possible exodus, I considered whether it was best to rely solely on myself as a resource. The Venezuelan crisis definitely influenced my decision.
The album has a very nostalgic sound, if I may describe it that way. At times it feels somewhat reminiscent of those Spanish expressions from the sixties and seventies, something like Nino Bravo and similar artists. Am I wrong in my observation?
Yes, it does. There are songs inspired by Latin American music. Not in a specific genre, but they could easily be tango, bolero, chacarrera, the Spanish ballads you mentioned, etc. And the reference to Nino Bravo is flattering, since, for me, he's one of the best Hispanic singers. The album certainly has a lot of nostalgia.
How has Mexico received you in your role as an artist?
Pretty good. I came here a lot with Los Mentas and I've kept in touch with friends from those visits. I've been relying on them to get started with this album. We'll see how my songs are received here. I'm really curious. I'm already starting to book some smaller gigs in Mexico City and I hope they'll help me break into the scene.
What is your favorite song from the album?
They keep evolving. As a composition, I'm very proud of it. The queen of coincidences, But I really like it right now Dead end street because of the result of the mix. However, the single I'm promoting in Venezuela is little fabric heart Because I think it's the catchiest. That's how songs are; one day you like one, and the next day you like another. I'm sure I'll like it again in a month. Coward o My friend.
Do you have plans to do direct promotion in Venezuela?
Yes. I'll be traveling in December to spend time with my family, and my plan is to do some media appearances and a few concerts. I already have a confirmed date for the 13th at a venue called "La Íntima." I'll try to stay connected with the Venezuelan music scene. That's where I come from, and I believe we need to continue supporting those dynamics. Now more than ever!
Plans for the rest of Latin America?
There are no plans of that kind with my project and LPR. However, with Los Mentas, despite being on hiatus and scattered across different countries, we've received offers to reunite in Chile and Argentina. We've discussed it with some producers, but nothing has been finalized yet.
