It’s been three years since the Latin Grammy award-winning pop trio from Mexico had thousands hooked on their wildly addicting sweet-as-candy pop beats. Who could possibly resist albums with names like Cocktail, Dulce Beat, and Fantasia Pop? Since getting signed under Universal Music’s dance label Virus Records in 2000, Belanova’s Denisse Guerrero, Edgar Huerta, and Ricardo Arreola have toured non-stop and were due for a break. Once Belanova decided to take some time off, many die-hard fans feared that they wouldn’t hear another disco rock hit again…until now. After what seemed like forever, Belanova returned in 2010 with a new music video for their popular single “Nada de Mas” and they’re currently prepping to release their highly anticipated album, titled Sueño Electro I. If that’s not enough, Belanova was selected to share the stage with reggaeton king Don Omar and Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado at this year’s Terra Music Fest in Los Angeles, which happened this past Sunday, October 3rd. In time for the release of Sueño Electro I, we caught up with Belanova to discuss their involvement with Terra Music Fest, why they left fans waiting for so long, and how they’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
NocheLatina: It’s been three years since you released your last album Fantasia Pop. What has the band been up to during this whole time?
Belanova: Fortunately, Fantasia Pop has been in the media for about a year and a half, which helped us decide for the first time to take a break and get some energy for the next project. It was a time for us to finally spend it with family and just enjoy our success. Having this break also gave us the opportunity to create Sueño Electro I exactly the way we wanted to. It’s a great album.
nocheLatina: How is Sueño Electro I different from anything that Belanova has done before as a group?
Belanova: Sueño Electro I is different from anything else we’ve done because it features all the sounds that Belanova has explored as a group in Cocktail, Dulce Beat, and Fantasia Pop. It feels like our most complete project to date. We’re really satisfied with the results!
nocheLatina: What can new listeners, as well as longtime fans, expect from Sueño Electro I?
Belanova: Well, Sueño Electo I is the result of exploring pop and all the possibilities it can create in music. We have songs that’ll make you dance, get nostalgic, have an amazing time with friends, and fall in love.
nocheLatina: When will you release Sueño Electro I?
Belanova: Sueño Electro is expected to come out on October 26th. Then, we’re going to release a special version on iTunes where fans can watch videos, see exclusive photos, and discover other extras that you won’t find anywhere else. You can get the digital version on November 2nd.
nocheLatina: What can you tell us about the highly anticipated follow-up album, titled Sueño Electro II?
Belanova: We can’t say much, except that it’s expected to come out sometime next year.
nocheLatina: Talk about your involvement with this year’s Terra Music Fest. Why was it important for Belanova to be part of the festivities now more than ever?
Belanova: Terra is very important for the Hispanic community in the United States and we have a lot of fans that have discovered us through Terra. We felt this was a great way for them to participate in an amazing event and have a more direct connection with us through music. Plus, we loved the idea of sharing the stage with Nelly Furtado and Don Omar.
nocheLatina: Why specifically Don Omar and Nelly Furtado?
Denisse Guerrero: Truthfully, I’m not very familiar with reggaeton music, so I really wanted to see Don Omar in action and how he connects with the public.
Richie Arreola: I really like Nelly Furtado’s first album and I love how she’s manage to explore various genres throughout her career. I admire how she’s evolved as an artist over the years and her willingness to collaborate with Latin musicians.
Edgar Huerta: It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Nelly Furtado live on stage and I’m a huge fan of her work.
nocheLatina: How, in your opinion, is this year’s Terra Music Fest going to change the way that audiences see and hear Latin music?
Belanova: We believe that it’s important for people in the United States to be familiar with Latin music and the many styles it offers. Terra is opening the doors to those who aren’t as familiar with Latin music to discover it in a whole new way with these major artists bringing it to life on one night. We’re certain that Latin music will continue to play a crucial role in the United States beyond Terra Fest and break any barriers that may exist.
nocheLatina: How you would describe your first live performance in nearly three years?
Belanova: It was a show filled with music from the heart fusing with electronic beats and high energy that we’ve held back all this time and finally released just for our fans.
nocheLatina: Terra Music Fest happened during Hispanic Heritage Month. Why do you believe we need this time to not only celebrate our culture, but raise awareness on it to others?
Belanova: For Mexicans in particular, this year has proven to be a very special one for us to celebrate. Mexico is a country filled with talent that may not have been recognized by others. However, this is a great opportunity for us to show our pride as a Latin culture.
nocheLatina: Speaking of celebrating, what are your must-have party songs for any fiesta?
Denisse Guerrero: The Black Eyed Peas’ ‘I Gotta Feeling,’ Daft Punk‘s ‘One More Time,’ and Miike Snow‘s ‘Animal.’
Edgar Huerta: Modjo’s ‘Lady’ and Basement Jaxx’s ‘Rain Drops.’
Richie Arreola: The Killers‘ ‘Read My Mind,’ Devo’s ‘Whip It,’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’
nocheLatina: How, in your opinion, has the music industry changed since you first started as a band?
Belanova: We’re so thankful that the Internet has opened many doors and given lots of opportunities for those starting out in music. Now, it’s not necessary to just release an album and wait around for something to happen. You can get discovered just by putting yourself out there on the web. Because of this evolution, Latin music has greatly expanded in the United States. It’s now more accessible. It has expanded in ways many wouldn’t have thought possible and we believe that for the next upcoming years, it will grow in ways that’s beyond your imagination.
