Holds release party on Friday at The Avenue Viera
By Meagan McGone
mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD -- Things are going to spice up in Brevard this weekend, as one flamenco artist will release his new CD at The Avenue Viera.
On Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., Don Soledad will debut his second album, "Soluna," during a free CD release party at The Avenue Viera.
The style of music featured on the new album is contemporary flamenco, a popular genre of Spanish music. The album also has a new age classical influence, Mr. Soledad said.
"My vision for this album was to show the more traditional side of my playing, compared to my last album, which was more Rumba style," he said. "I also wanted to incorporate modern elements that I enjoy in other music. I feel that I was able to capture those factors in this album."
He said that his inspiration for "Soluna" stemmed from special people and experiences in his life.
"A few songs have been years in the making, while others only took a few days to compose," he said. "I guess it just depends on what you're going through in your life at the time when you are composing. One thing is for sure: Music is much easier to write when you're going through some hardship or drama in your life."
Mr. Soledad and his band, the Don Soledad Group, typically play at Costa D'Esta, a resort in Vero Beach owned by the seven-time Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan. But at the release party, the band will play alongside other talented artists featured on the CD.
"I'm very excited to put on this show, as I will have my full band performing, as well as the new addition of musicians that played on the new album," Mr. Soledad said.
In addition to playing at Costa D'Esta, the band regularly plays at Matt's Casbah in Historic Downtown Melbourne, as well as Wolfgang Puck in Downtown Disney and Vinz Wine Bar in Vero Beach.
Soledad released his first album in 2006, entitled "Camino de Seda." It was inspired by special places where he grew up in Northern California.
He said that making music can be a challenge, though he finds it rewarding.
"I think what makes music, in general, unique is the personality each artist evokes into their own sound," Mr. Soledad said. "The difference between a musician and an artist is that an artist creates, and a musician copies, and some do it very well. To me, it's much more difficult to find your own way successfully than to copy what others have done before. A friend of mine actually called me one night, while driving home from his gig in Orlando. He said, 'I heard your song on the radio tonight, and I knew it was you before they even announced your name.' And to me, that's what makes it all worth it."