"You give me that which I have been missing" is my rough translation for the title of this entry. It is a line from one of my favorite songs, "Complemento," by Los Aterciopelados, a band that I've been in love with since I heard "Luz Azul."
I was completely blown away by their March 30th 2007 show at Barcelona in Sunnyvale, where they gave an awesome performance in one of the smaller venues I've been too. I couldn't have asked for more: a small venue with an internationally recognized band that would go on to win a Latin Grammy for the Best Alternative Album, "Oye," in November 2007.
Hyper-aware of this rare opportunity to hear their music live, I was especially surprised to find myself among the crowd at the front of the stage and engulfed in this musical experience. I have frequently found the interaction between rock groups and their audiences quite an impersonal exchange. This was absolutely the opposite with Los Aterciopelados. Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago looked into the faces and eyes of their audience inviting us to enjoy the complete experience of being there with them. Those moments that Andrea, Hector, and the accompanying musicians Urian Sarmiento (percussion), Camilo Velasquez (guitar), and Mauricio Montenegro (drums) created with the individuals in the audience, by something as simple as eye contact, smiles, and nods are what made the show absolutely mind blowing.
At the end of the show, they passed out little ceramic ears to people in the audience after they said a special prayer to close the show and give thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and everyone who participated in the evening's performance. The ceramic ear that was given to me continues to remind me of those connections that were made that night and that Los Aterciopelados had given me something that I been missing.
