We are proud to introduce the talented Venezuelans Rebeca Rodríguez and Armando Montiel, who are members of the group La Nota Band, which we will talk about in the following lines.
After thanking us and clarifying that they are both partners and share the direction of the band, they proceeded to tell us a bit about their origins, professions, band, and current careers.
Rebeca and Armando’s beginnings in music
Armando began his story by telling us that, in his case, he has always loved music and enjoyed listening to it live. In his native city of Maracaibo, there were many street concerts featuring national and international artists, which sparked his interest in joining his school’s marching band between the third and fourth grade. This, in turn, led him to participate in some intercollegiate gaita festivals, which are very popular in many cities of the South American country.
This love for music took shape when the young man moved to Caracas and began his percussion lessons to finally have more formal training in this art. However, his parents made him promise to study a “real” career and then do whatever he wished for. He did so and studied civil engineering at Nueva Esparta University, but he has never practiced it, as music has always been his profession.
Rebeca also loved music, and from an early age, was always reciting poems, learning songs, and singing them at full blast. Then, as she grew up, she slowly built her career and made decisions based on that goal. Just as Armando, she participated in her school’s gaita festivals and took singing and dancing lessons, which led her to join bands in Caracas and become a backup singer for great artists.
Like Armando, she also studied a university degree, but in her case it was social communication at Andrés Bello Catholic University. She does not practice it either, although she does use her knowledge in favor of her artistic career.
Groups prior to La Nota Band
Armando said with a laugh that he could not mention all the bands and artists he has worked with because there are too many, but the most important ones were Ricardo Montaner, Chino y Nacho, Víctor Muñoz, Elvis Crespo, Guaco, Treo, Mermelada Bunch, and a few others.
Meanwhile, Rebeca pointed out that they met playing for Son Bubalú in Caracas and continued to share experiences in a certain way. While Armando was Chino y Nacho’s percussionist, Rebeca was hired as their backup singer, so they continued to live together and grow as artists in the same environments.
Their professional relationship developed at such a level that they ended up moving to the United States together in 2014 to take advantage of some work opportunities that arose. Among the artists they were able to play with in the United States are Gloria Estefan, Wisin y Yandel, Daddy Yankee, Luis Enrique, José Alberto “El Canario,” and many more.
Already in the year 2016, both realized that they loved collaborating with music greats, but also wanted to start their own business so they would not have to rely on what others wanted for them. That is when La Nota Band was born, with support from family and friends who were willing to help them on this new path.
The beginning of La Nota Band
In addition to being on their own, another thing Rebeca and Armando wanted to do was to offer employment to other musicians who were in the same situation as them years ago. This was the case of Armando’s twin brother, who was about to go to the United States and also devoted himself to music on percussion. Then, he bought a drum set so he could become the band’s drummer and his brother could take his place as a percussionist.
From the beginning, they have always focused on pleasing both Anglo-Saxon and Latin audiences, so they have been working to fill their repertoire with songs in both English and Spanish in order to enliven events where the two cultures come together.
What they have learned from the artists they have worked with
Of all the great artists Rebeca and Armando have been fortunate enough to work with, there are a number of things they have learned and applied to their own careers. One of these was the use of playback, as it is an extremely common and necessary resource in modern music. There are also other elements used to increase the sound quality of their performances.
Similarly, the discipline, professionalism, and perseverance necessary to manage this business are things they have seen in other artists and that have helped them get the place they want in the industry, which they also expect to achieve.
The Venezuelan musicians always keep their eyes and ears open to capture what can work for them and apply it to their own project.
Dreams fulfilled
Among the many dreams come true thanks to music, Rebeca and Armando appreciate being able to travel regularly to many countries, even if their professional activities prevent them from sightseeing as they would like. This is something they would not have accomplished with other kinds of work, which they are enormously grateful for.
In addition to that, they are pleased to have been able to perform on big and famous stages such as Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center, and Madison Square Garden in New York, something they never would have thought possible in their early years in Venezuela.
And last but not least, their talent and hard work have also led them to perform in important award ceremonies such as the Latin Grammys, Premios Juventud, and Premios Lo Nuestro.
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