Octavia (Bolivian Band)
Encyclopedia
Octavia is the name of a Bolivian Rock pop band characterized by a unique mix of catchy pop sounds, Andean music
, use of electronic synthesizers, and acoustic music
. The band's sound is continually evolving but it is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential bands in the history of Bolivian rock.
, Bolivia
, in 1988, the band comprises:
Gimmer Illanes,
Simón Lujan,
Vladimir Pérez,
Ricardo Sasaki,
Omar González,
Martín Fox
The first name of the band was "Coda 3" and under this name they recorded four albums of their own compositions with independent record companies in Bolivia.
In 1995 the band's music became known outside Bolivia when its songs were aired by the most important music broadcast those days, MTV Latinoamérica. This opened the possibilities for international record companies to include the band's name on their lists, their name.
. To avoid being confused with a Mexican band by the name of Coda
, they changed their name to Octavia.
The first of these albums was "aura" in 1996, an album which later became an icon for the Bolivian market, with record sales and a platinum disc. Three more albums were created under this contract.
Some of the bands music videos were broadcast on well known music channels such as MTVla, Telehit
and Ritmoson Latino.
All these productions went Gold or Platinum, which motivated the band to tour the United States of America in 1998 in locations such as:Miami, Washington, Virginia, Maryland and New York.
In the year 2000, the band was invited to one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, “Rock al Parque” (rock to the park), in Bogotá, Colombia, where they played 2 shows for more than 50,000 viewers. This participation was highlighted in a special report covered by CNN en Español.
The following years, Octavia toured Chile and Peru and extended their contract with Sony Music Entertainment
to produce the album “4”. Initially slated to be released in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the economic crisis in Argentina obliterates the economic movement of Sony in Bolivia, and nearby countries. Consequently, the new material was not distributed.
Octavia terminated their contract with Sony and in 2003 independently produced the album “Octavia al Aire libre” (Octavia in Open Air), their first live album featuring their greatest hits from 15 years of work.
In 2004 Octavia spent 6 months in Oklahoma
, USA and cut a new album called “Talismán”. The album was produced by Tyson Meade
- chief of “Chainsaw Kittens
” - under Flagstone Records.
On 2005 the band promoted the album “Talismán” all over Bolivia, performing a series of notable concerts such as their appearance in Paceña's FestiMusic in Santa Cruz and La Paz, along with bands such as Ataque 77 (Argentina) and Kumbia Kings
(USA).
In the first months of 2006 the band planned the release of “Talisman” in Argentina.
On December 2006 Octavia released a five-song EP called "Masterplan" to fulfill the Bolivian audience's demand for new material after "Talisman".
The band also worked with the Bolivian Beer company "Paceña" to create and release the single "Paceña's theme" as an official song for the brand.
Andean music
Andean music comes from the general area inhabited by Quechuas, Aymaras and other peoples that lived roughly in the area of the Inca Empire prior to European contact. It includes folklore music of parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela...
, use of electronic synthesizers, and acoustic music
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
. The band's sound is continually evolving but it is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential bands in the history of Bolivian rock.
Beginnings
Started in La PazLa Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, in 1988, the band comprises:
Gimmer Illanes,
Simón Lujan,
Vladimir Pérez,
Ricardo Sasaki,
Omar González,
Martín Fox
The first name of the band was "Coda 3" and under this name they recorded four albums of their own compositions with independent record companies in Bolivia.
In 1995 the band's music became known outside Bolivia when its songs were aired by the most important music broadcast those days, MTV Latinoamérica. This opened the possibilities for international record companies to include the band's name on their lists, their name.
International appearance
In 1996 the band signed a three album deal with Sony Music EntertainmentSony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
. To avoid being confused with a Mexican band by the name of Coda
Coda (band)
Coda is a Rock en Español band from Mexico, formed in 1989. The band had much of success in the early 1990s, releasing four albums. In the late 1990s, the band had several line-up changes; the band disbanded in 2000, but resurfaced in 2002 with a new line-up....
, they changed their name to Octavia.
The first of these albums was "aura" in 1996, an album which later became an icon for the Bolivian market, with record sales and a platinum disc. Three more albums were created under this contract.
Some of the bands music videos were broadcast on well known music channels such as MTVla, Telehit
TeleHit
TeleHit is a Mexican cable/satellite television network. Its main programing is music and music videos. It is a network of Televisa and is also available in various countries in Latin America, United States and Spain. Is part of Televisa Networks, an affiliate of Televisa.Telehit became the second...
and Ritmoson Latino.
All these productions went Gold or Platinum, which motivated the band to tour the United States of America in 1998 in locations such as:Miami, Washington, Virginia, Maryland and New York.
In the year 2000, the band was invited to one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, “Rock al Parque” (rock to the park), in Bogotá, Colombia, where they played 2 shows for more than 50,000 viewers. This participation was highlighted in a special report covered by CNN en Español.
The following years, Octavia toured Chile and Peru and extended their contract with Sony Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...
to produce the album “4”. Initially slated to be released in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the economic crisis in Argentina obliterates the economic movement of Sony in Bolivia, and nearby countries. Consequently, the new material was not distributed.
Octavia terminated their contract with Sony and in 2003 independently produced the album “Octavia al Aire libre” (Octavia in Open Air), their first live album featuring their greatest hits from 15 years of work.
In 2004 Octavia spent 6 months in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, USA and cut a new album called “Talismán”. The album was produced by Tyson Meade
Tyson Meade
Tyson Todd Meade is best known as the singer and principal songwriter for Norman, Oklahoma-based alternative rock groups Defenestration and the Chainsaw Kittens...
- chief of “Chainsaw Kittens
Chainsaw Kittens
The Chainsaw Kittens were a part of the American alternative rock scene, drawing from pop, glam rock, punk, new wave and British Invasion music. Their lyrics tackled such varied topics as religion, the Stonewall Riots, Federico Fellini, Oklahoma, Erik Menendez, and Oscar Wilde.Based in Norman,...
” - under Flagstone Records.
On 2005 the band promoted the album “Talismán” all over Bolivia, performing a series of notable concerts such as their appearance in Paceña's FestiMusic in Santa Cruz and La Paz, along with bands such as Ataque 77 (Argentina) and Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings
Kumbia Kings was a Latin Grammy-winning Mexican cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas created by A.B. Quintanilla. Their music encompasses the styles of cumbia , hip hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producers from the beginning have been A.B. Quintanilla III...
(USA).
In the first months of 2006 the band planned the release of “Talisman” in Argentina.
On December 2006 Octavia released a five-song EP called "Masterplan" to fulfill the Bolivian audience's demand for new material after "Talisman".
The band also worked with the Bolivian Beer company "Paceña" to create and release the single "Paceña's theme" as an official song for the brand.
Discography
- "Dia Tras Día" - 1990 - Pro Audio SRL (as Coda 3)
- "Verdades Inéditas" - 1992 (Gold) - Discolandia MCB (as Coda 3)
- "2387" - 1994 (Gold) - Discolandia MCB (as Coda 3)
- "Para Salir Del Molde - Acústico" - 1995 - Discolandia MCB (as Coda 3)
- "Aura" - 1996 (Platinum) - Sony Music
- "Ciclos" - 1998 (Gold) - Sony Music
- "Octavia Acústico" - 2001 (Gold) - Sony Music
- "4" - 2002 (Gold) - Sony Music
- "Octavia Al Aire Libre" - 2003 - Dedos Records
- "Coda 3 1990-1995 (Compilation)" - 2004 - Discolandia MCB (as Coda 3)
- "Talisman (Versión En Español)" - 2004 - Flagstone Records
- "Talisman (English Version)" - 2004 - Flagstone Records
- "Masterplan EP" - 2006 - Flagstone Records
- "Medular" - 2009 - Dedos Records