La Casa Azul
Audio
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1. Los Chicos Hoy Saltaran A La Pista
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2. La Polinesia Meridional
Biography
January 12
Sunshine-pop producer Guille Milkyway found in the five members of LA CASA AZUL the perfect performers for his sunny melodies that mix the spirit of 60's A&M productions with 70's disco music and the most refreshing Europop from the 90’s. We're talking about perfectly crafted pop music, full of small details in the shape of arrangements. LA CASA AZUL have the knack to catch you from the first listen with their songs, making you play the main role in so many stories dreamt by all of us, where the main ingredients are love, happiness, friendship or even anger...
First news from the Barcelona-based band LA CASA AZUL (“The blue house”) come in the shape of a demo tape: splendid electronic pop songs, with very well formulated arrangements -quite surprising for a debut band- and very catchy choruses. Just with the broadcasting of this demo on some radio shows the band won a noticeable number of followers.
The five members of LA CASA AZUL don’t play live, they prefer the quiet atmosphere of the recording studios; it’s always their producer and songwriter, Guille Milkyway, who takes the role of introducing these superb pop hits live onstage.
The first live show takes place on August 20th, 1999, playing with other Elefant bands: ME ENVENENO DE AZULES, NIZA and VACACIONES. In November they play Zaragoza in a party hosted by Spanish fanzine La Indiferencia, with NIZA and LOS FRESONES REBELDES. The crowd attending the gig already knew by heart and sang along songs like “Cerca de Shibuya”, despite they hadn’t been released yet officially.
Another important show was their appearance in Barcelona, in a party to celebrate Elefant’s tenth anniversary. They played with LOS FRESONES REBELDES, VACACIONES and MARINE RESEARCH (ex-HEAVENLY).
On February 2000, Elefant releases a CD-Single by UK band SUPERCUTE, featuring a song -“Jamie Theakston”- remixed by LA CASA AZUL. There’s also a remix of the same song made by another Elefant band, LA MONJA ENANA.
Their most outstanding gig so far takes place in May 2000, in the awards delivery party of the radio show “Viaje a los sueños polares”. They receive three awards: best new act according to the show directors, the same according to the listeners, and best 1999 demo, chosen by the listeners as well.
The first song they ever released is the demo version of “Cerca de Shibuya”, included in an Elefant compilation given away with the November 1999 issue of Spanish magazine Rockdelux. Their debut mini-album comes out in October 2000, featuring six songs that combine Europop dancey beats with the spirit of old A&M sixties productions, so you could also define their sound as a cross between THE ARCHIES and PET SHOP BOYS.
Whilst LA CASA AZUL is working on songs for their debut album Guille Milkyway is far from inactivity: he produced bands like MIRAFIORI (Madrid) and COLAJET SET, a new band formed by Felipe (LOS FRESONES REBELDES) and Ana (LA MONJA ENANA). Guille recorded also a single under the name of MILKYWAY.
2003
As an advance of the album release, two new songs are included on the Elefant compilation “Modapop”: “Jamás te he olvidado” and “En noches como la de hoy”. They play two Elefant nights to promote the comp, in Madrid and Barcelona, along with CAMERA OBSCURA, NIZA, ENTRE RÍOS, NIZA and LES TRÈS BIEN ENSEMBLE. LA CASA AZUL play in front of a massive dancing audience which surrenders to their arsenal of pop hits.
Finally, in December arrives the long-awaited long player by LA CASA AZUL, “Tan simple como el amor”, almost at the same time they take part in the tribute to FAMILY album, covering “Viaje a los sueños polares”.
The album receives great reviews, among them a very good one in MOJO magazine (UK), from the April 2005 issue.
2004
LA CASA AZUL start the year playing the parties celebrating the 25th anniversary of the “Flor de pasión” radio show (Radio 3), directed by DJ Juan de pablos, great admiror and fan of the band since its first steps.
They play the fifth and last edition of the “Es pop mamá” festival (on February 14th) in Barcelona, as well as the Soft Pop Tour festival in La Coruña (on March 5th); during these two shows, and from now on, Guille Milkyway is helped live with the backing vocals and cute choreographies by two members of the all-girl band LAS DONETES.
On March 27th they play to a raving audience at the Otros Mundos Pop festival in León.
The five members from LA CASA AZUL make their first TV appearance: they play “Música uno” and “Zona Disney”, both on TVE, lip-syncing “Superguay”, the first single taken from the album. In “Zona Disney” they get a feature and an interview as well as the performance.
During the month of June, the band and their producer travel back to Madrid to shoot the footage for the videoclips of “Como un fan” and “El sol no brillará nunca más”. Both clips are directed by Domingo González.
In the summer that year they play at Contempopranea festival (Badajoz), in Gijón and also the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB), playing in this last space one of the most memorable concerts done by the band to this date, with a crazed audience from the very first song. During these shows the crowd could watch the visuals specially prepared by Domingo González to go with the band’s live performances.
The new theme song for TV show ZONA DISNEY (TVE/ DISNEY CHANNEL) is written by Guille Milkyway. Since there is pop music, the kids have been listening to great pop tunes/toons, from THE MONKEES to SUPERGRASS. “Vente a Zona Disney”, which is also the theme song for the show in Portugal (with its own version in Portuguese), is performed in its TV version by Yanira, Natalia, Jimmy, Sergio and Gonzalo, the five teenage hosts of this popular show, but will soon be covered too by another bunch of happy and joyful teenagers: LA CASA AZUL.
By the end of the year they incloude a song on the soundtrack of a Spanish comedy entitled “El asombroso mundo de Borjamari y Pocholo”, featuring a cast including Santiago Segura and Willy Toledo, two of the most famous current Spanish comedians.
The movie is about two posh kids from the 80’s who don’t want (or don’t know how) to grow up, and so the soundtrack features a selection of the main pop hits in the Spanish 80’s, the years internationally known as the “movida” in Madrid. Besides from that, the soundtrack includes a few more songs composed for the occasion by musician Miguel Malla (MASTRETTA), and a guest slot by LA CASA AZUL with the song “Chicle cosmos”, taken from their debut mini-album, “El sonido efervescente de La Casa Azul”.
2005
On February 4th, the band hosts the official first ever public broadcast of their new videoclip, “Como un fan”, at the Ocho y Medio Club in Madrid.
“Como un fan” (“Like a fan”) is nothing but a clear statement coming from a band like LA CASA AZUL, deeply fascinated by pop culture in its most colourful shapes.
The video, shot during the previous summer, starts introducing the five members of the band, one by one, and then we meet them in different day-to-day situations: playing sports (skating, at the swimming pool, playing tennis); at home (having breakfast, reading, listening to music); in highschool. Afterwards, we see them perform at an imaginary TV show (Canal HI-FI), surrounded by many crazed fans, mad about their songs, who dance over circular platforms as seen so many times in the footage from the 60's. The tribute to the aesthetics of pop's golden age is complete with the wink to the BEATLES’ “A hard day's night”, with the
band being chased around the city by their fanatic followers.
In July, Guille Milkyway flies to Japan in order to take part in the Elefant parties that are being organized there as a part of ExpoAichi 2005. LA CASA AZUL plays along with NIZA (who have reformed for the occasion) and DJ Polar in the two Elefant parties at club Cay (at Spiral Hall in Tokyo's Shibuya district), on July 23rd and 24th. The feedback from the Japanese fans is amazing, and hundreds of people dance like crazy to the music played by LA CASA AZUL.
Before these successful concerts, on July the 17th and 22nd, Guille spins some records along with DJ Polar in two other Elefant parties (one of them organized with the help of the Apple Crumble store), which are held at the clubs CHU! and Aoi Heya in Shibuya.
In the Fall of 2005, David, Sergio, Clara, Virginia and Oscar are the stars in a new sparkling pop story, once again directed by Domingo González. On the video of the song “El sol no brillará nunca más” we can see the five band members playing in a TV set, and this footage mixes with other images showing a love story at a party. The surroundings (the TV set, the house where they throw their party) is the dream of a pop music lover, and the images are like brightly coloured fireworks. A new visual tribute to the best pop music of all time.
In October comes out "Como un fan", a new EP consisting of two new pop gems in technicolour (“Viva (un poco más) el amor” and “Debería plantearme cambiar” ), plus the title song, taken from the album ("Como un fan") and a wonderful cover version of an original track by Spanish cult pop band FAMILY, plus the videoclips of "Superguay" and "Como un fan", two teenage pop explosions directed by Domingo González.
“Como un fan” climbs directly up to number 10 on the top singles list in Spain on the week going from october 24th to the 30th, 2005. The public have received with joy the release of this new single, which on its first week on sale features among the most asked for along with such bands as DEPECHE MODE or FRANZ FERDINAND (and many others we don’t dare to even mention). The single stays amont the top selling records for four weeks in a row.
2006
"Como un fan" ranks among the best singles of 2005 according to influential Spanish magazine Rockdelux, and so does the videoclip of the title song according to the same polls.
Whilst their fans wait impatiently for a new album, the band offers an array of new live performances in Spain, where they haven't played since 2004. With these shows, both the band and producer Guille Milkyway give a perfect ending to the excellent results of the debut album. In these shows, Guille plays all the hits, and also more intimate songs on the piano. The first shows in Zaragoza and Valladolid have a big success, and tickets for the date in Madrid are sold out since weeks before. Hundreds of raving fans singalong to every song and enjoy the live versions sung by Guille.
In March comes out "Villa Flir", the new, Guille Milkyway-produced album by legendary Spanish pop chanteuse KIKI D'AKÍ.
On the compilation "We heart rock" (Sonic Art Union), featuring all the recordings released by John William Davies under the names TEEN ANTHEMS, STEPS PISTOLS or SUPERCUTE (he released a CD-single on Elefant Records under this moniker), is included the remix of the song "Jamie Theakston" by LA CASA AZUL.
On May 3rd comes out the reissue their debut album, with renewed sound (mastered by Xavier Alarcón), new artwork and many extra tracks. The original album featured eight songs, and the featured tracks on this reissue will rise to twenty-one. Besides the eight original songs, this reissue includes the band’s first three demos: the first one, “Te invito a mi fiesta” (recorded between 1998 and 1999), which features the first version of their classic tune “Cerca de Shibuya” and several previously unreleased songs; the second one, “Canciones ligeras” (1999), which features Jeanette’s version “Si no voy a esperar” among others; and the third one, “Galletas” (1999). Besides of this, the album features three bonus tracks: the cover version of the 80’s hit by MECANO “Quiero vivir en la ciudad”; the revised version of their classic song “Chicle Cosmos” (revised in 2005 to be used in the soundtrack of the movie “Borjamari y Pocholo”); and the song “Tantas cosas que arreglar” (initially released in our compilation “Momentos perdidos”).
For the new cover we used the beautiful illustrations drawn by Duprez, who perfectly captured the unique mood and universe of the band, and their philosophy of eternal fun and happy pop scapism.
Korean label Happy Robot Records, which had already released "Tan simple como el amor", releases the reissue in Korea in May. This new Korean release comes along with three live shows by CORAZÓN and LA CASA AZUL in Korean land, between May 14th and 18th.
To begin with, both bands play on May 14th at the Naini Island Festival, a free entrance open air festival that goes on during two months in an amphitheatre in Naini Island.
The next show takes place on May 16th as a part of the Latin Music Festival, coorganized by the Spanish Embassy in Seoul and the Spanish Department at the University of Korea: a benefit show for orphan children and teenagers. LA CASA AZUL and CORAZÓN are the special guests at this festival held at Inchon Memorial Hall, a thousand people capacity pavilion in Koryo (University of Korea). On this festival, hosted by two renown TV presenters from public broadcasting channel KBS, and recorded and broadcasted by nationwide public channels KBS and EBS, there are different contests (there's even a prize given by the Real Madrid Foundation!), concerts by Korean bands and, finally, the guest star shows by CORAZÓN and LA CASA AZUL.
The last show is a new free entrance show by both bands on May 18th, at the University of Yonsei Auditorium.
Just back from Korea we receive fresh news that show how popular LA CASA AZUL is down there: cosmetics brand DHC Korea chose the song "Galletas" to be featured on a tv ad. You can see it by clicking on the following link.
Once back in Spain, the new shows keep growing more and more successful: on June 24th they fill up the Apolo club in Barcelona, on the 29th they play with LADYTRON at the Contemporary Arts Museum in León, and on the 30th they are chosen to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Ocho y Medio club in Madrid.
In July, LA CASA AZUL includes the song "Prefiero bailar" (taken from the album "Tan simple como el amor") in the "Peachy little secrets" compilation, released by new label from Singapore Fruit Records.
The compilation features fourteen Asian pop bands (among them MY LITTLE AIRPORT from Hong-Kong, the new signing on Elefant Records), as well as six international bands where, as well as LA CASA AZUL, we find Australian band THE LUCKSMITHS or American band MY FAVORITE.
On July 29th LA CASA AZUL play Contempopranea festival in Alburquerque (Badajoz) and in September they play the Lemon Pop festival in Murcia, in a concert that is broadcasted live through Radio 3. These two festival shows are the last ones this season, since Guille is already busy in his studio, recording the tracks for the new album by LA CASA AZUL, due to be released in 2007.
At the end of 2006, Spanish video production company Malvalanda released a double-DVD featuring the work of 18 Spanish filmmakers who work in the videoclip field. The title of this compilation, which apart from the videoclips includes interviews and comments with the directors, is "Eclectia". As you can tell from the name itself, the list of artists featured is quite eclectic, going from ASTRUD to the commercial latin-pop of Bisbal or the rockist ways of Andrés Calamaro. But we are of course especially interested in the interviews and comments with two of the directors that work regularly with Elefant Records: Gabe Ibáñez (with "Canción de todo va mal" by LE MANS) and Domingo González.
Also by the end of the year LA CASA AZUL include a cover version of the song by (with "Como un fan" by LA CASA AZUL). José Feliciano "Feliz Navidad" on the Christmas compilation "Cuentos de Navidad", fourth volume of the series "Teoría y práctica melódica" released yearly by Spanish label Jabalina, where they appear along other Elefant artists as CORAZÓN, MIRAFIORI or LA MONJA ENANA.
2007
On March 23rd has been premiered in Spain the movie "The Svensson's Syndrome", the first full length movie by Spanish filmmaker Kepa Sojo, who had already been awarded many times with his previous short movies, "100 maneras de hacer el pollo al txilindrón", "Looking for Chencho" and "Cuando puedas". Defined as the first nonsense-pop movie, "The Svensson's Syndrome" is a nonsensical, surrealistic, underground film with music as its background. The main characters travel in an absurd epic trip to Xàtiva, where there's a pop megaconcert by the hype band of the moment, the KU-3. Music is a very important part of the movie, and on it we can listen to such important names in the independent music scene as FAMILY, LA CASA AZUL, TENDER TRAP, NOSOTRÄSH, JUNIPER MOON or MOGUL.
Music by bands on Elefant Records has been used very often as the perfect dressing for movies, TV series and several commercials. Many music advisors and publicity executives are fans of the label and its bands, and obviously a big part of the music we release is ideal for this task. The last experience we've had on this note is the ad for the new Samsung mobile telephone, where two songs from our catalogue have been chosen as soundtrack to its images: "Avalon" by BEEF (already used in the US on a "Summerland" episode) and the new song by LA CASA AZUL "Un mundo mejor" (which will be included on their next album, "La revolución sexual"). Besides, the ad has been directed by a longtime friend, director Domingo González (who directed the short film "Las superamigas contra el Profesor Vinilo", and videos by LA CASA AZUL or CAMERA OBSCURA). So get ready to watch daily on TV an ad with pop aesthetics and delicious music in the background.
Finally, in November arrives “La revolución sexual” ("The sexual revolution"), and it features thirteen new songs where Guille Milkyway makes a big step forward in the evolution of his sound and the concept of one of the more successful records we have ever released in Elefant Records.
On this new release we will discover one of the best kept secrets of our age: the boys and girls in the band... are not human! They are humanoids, programmed by Guille so that they can perform his hyper-tech, super-vitaminic, heavily Nippon influenced pop songs! Soon we will let you know more about this, but you must also know that in the new songs by LA CASA AZUL both sound and the themes they sing about evolve towards new landscapes, without losing the direction they have always followed: love and despair are not the only axis on the songs anymore, but we find other feelings as frustration, failed relationships or personal fears; but the music does not lose its chirpy, effervescent qualities at all: this goes to the extreme and the new songs sound even more technological, more Made in Shibuya than ever.
The new shows will be very different to what producer Guille Milkyway used to do until now: it will be an audiovisual, technological experience, a total performance designed to surprise, where Guille will finally have the help of the boys and girls in the band. The shows will be full of unexpected actions with a concept that's very different to what you're used to see in a pop concert. You can believe us when we we tell you that no one will be deceived by these shows, and people will talk very much and very long about them.
Ever since we announced the release of “La Revolucion Sexual” a true revolution has broken out amongst LA CASA AZUL fans. The tickets to both of the Madrid concerts in Sala Sol (Nov. 16th and 17th) have been sold out since last week, clearly demonstrating the excitement this new album is causing . We felt the fever rise with the number of LA CASA AZUL fans when the album was released in FNAC in Madrid and Barcelona, with lines of people cueing for Guille Milkyway to sign their copy of the new release: the cds quickly sold out, and Guille ended up autographing until the stores closed their doors to the public. The same positive energy ignited at the Elastico Club in Madrid where fans were waiting patiently outside before the club even opened: it’s clear that the LA CASA AZUL phenomenon would not exist without the faithfulness and enthusiasm of fans. Without you, none of this would be possible. Although we were ecstatic with the ticket sales this weekend in Madrid, we’re left with a bittersweet sensation for those of you who were not able to purchase tickets. Do not be discouraged and do not throw out the possibility of seeing upcoming concerts in other cities (and sharing the experience with fans from other parts of the country).
Throughout this week you can hear Guille presenting songs from the album on the radio program Siglo 21 on Radio 3, read interviews in various national newspapers such as: Tuesday Nov. 13tth (PÚBLICO Newspaper), Friday Nov. 16th (La Luna EL MUNDO), Friday Nov. 16 (LA RAZÓN), and the amazing, bomb news is that the Guillemania jumps into the mainstream: next Sunday November 18th you can read all about Guille/LA CASA AZUL in the supplement of EL PAÍS SEMANAL (EPS). Even your grandma will know about LA CASA AZUL!
The release of the cd was highly anticipated and long awaited for and we knew what was coming, but good news always makes for a nice surprise: LA CASA AZUL hits the top of the charts in Spain. Throughout the first week on sale, the new album completely sold out in every store, as well as tickets to scheduled concerts, LA CASA AZUL landed directly to number 25 on the charts! Finally a bit of indie color among the top of the charts!
"La revolución sexual" the new LA CASA AZUL video shows the new technological twist of the second phase the group is wrapped up in. Domingo González, director of the three previous LA CASA AZUL videos, has left us absolutely astonished; More inspired than ever, he intelligently achieved mixing two opposing worlds into the video -futuristic coldness and technology- skillfully displaying the new phase of LA CASA AZUL, the synthetic aspect of the group and the human and sentimental side which Guille releases with himself and his music. An explosive mix of the musical influences which saunters about LA CASA AZUL, in a virtual reality format; a refreshing world to dance in, have fun, enjoy oneself, feel the love, loneliness...and of course insisting on our greatly admired Japanese country (with a tribute included to the dance “para para”). The perfect video for truly digging deep into the true sexual revolution.
In December, the group is on the cover of the music magazine MONDO SONORO.
Full house for their concerts in the Apolo in Barcelona (sold out) and the Sala Heineken in Valencia.[pagina]
2008
Since the release of "La Revolución Sexual" last November, 2007, so many things have happened that it’s impossible to summarize them in these few lines; the press has unanimously loved the album and turned it into a classic in the history of music in this country from the very first day it went on sale. But the most important thing has been how the fans flocked to the stores, longing to get their hands on this delicious collection of songs, placing the album on the best-selling lists in Spain for three consecutive weeks, which is a serious feat for an independent album. The fans’ unconditional support has been and is absolutely fundamental in understanding what many call “la Guillemania”, and not without reason – Guille is a magnetic and special person who has won the heart of his fans; his albums and his songs instantly become a reflection of our own lives and his concerts, in addition to being an original and different audiovisual and technological experience, they have also become an explosion of happiness and liberation, an exercise charged with emotion and paradisiacal satisfaction. Madrid was the chosen city for setting off the “La Revolución Sexual” tour with two incredible nights in the mythic club El Sol, with tickets sold-out days before the concert and absolutely desperate fans unable to get tickets to see their favorite group. They have all been promised a new date in Madrid on March 10th, when “La Revolución Sexual” will unfold in all its glory in Joy Eslava, one of the nicest and most elegant clubs in the capital.
Success and full houses in their concerts in Murcia (Auditorio), Bilbao (Santana 27), La Coruña (Playa Club) and Bilbao (Breogain).
LA CASA AZUL was one of the artists chosen via MySpace for the pre-selection party for TVE’s “Salvemos Eurovisión”. The winning group would represent our country in the EUROVISIÓN 2008 festival (Belgrade). The gala takes place on March 8.
Throughout the year they play in the most important festivals in Spain: Cultura Pop (Madrid), Valladolindie (Valladolid), Día de la Música (Barcelona), Murcia Sound (Murcia), Pop-Arb (Arbúcles), APTC (Zaragoza), FIB (Benicassim), Contempopranea (Badajoz), Semana Grande San Sebastian, Altaveu (Barcelona), BAM (Barcelona), Lemon Pop (Murcia), CamOn (Alicante), FIZ (Zaragoza), Benvinguda (Valencia), Periferias (Huesca), Fiestas Mayores patronales de Benidorm, Palma de Mallorca…etc
In July, the video “Esta Noche Solo Cantan Para Mi” is shown in the Ocho y Medio club in Madrid. The video-clip was directed by Domingo González, with whom the group has worked before and who has always known how to understand and perfectly convey the song, showing the most intimate side of LA CASA AZUL, put never losing sight of the imaginary and artful world that characterizes the group. MTV made a Making of the Video with it, (perfect to learn how a LA CASA AZUL video is created and to listen to declarations from Guille as well as many others who float around in the blue universe).
LA CASA AZUL write the theme song for the TV3 program “Els 25”. “Vull Saber-ho Tot de Tu” is another super-hit for the group, an explosive and catchy melody, outstanding arrangements, references to disco and lyrics, written in Catalan for the first time, about the televised world.
In September they perform in the MTV BAM Music Week festival in Barcelona; more than 20,000 people gather to watch the live recording of LA CASA AZUL’s concert for MTV. The moment was immortalized thanks to MTV’s cameras, which caught every unique and special moment of the performance.
After a very active year, the group decides to take some time off and they give their last concert of the “Lav Revolución Sexual” tour on December 20th in Palma de Mallorca. 2009 will be a year in which Guille is working on new songs in the studio both for LA CASA AZUL and for MILYWAY.
2009
Guille is invited to participate in the 30th anniversary party for the program on “Flor de Pasión” on Radio 3.
A performance by LA CASA AZUL is chosen by Rockdelux magazine as one of the best national live performances of the year.
LA CASA AZUL performs at the Indietracks Festival in July. This is their only concert of the year. The British festival Indietracks honours Elefant Records for the label’s twentieth birthday, giving it control of the organization of the main stage as a birthday present.
In September "La Nueva Yma Sumac (What the Revolution Left Us)" is released. It is a very special album, a limited edition album for fans, friends and lovers of pop. It is a sonic postcard depicting these last few months in the life of LA CASA AZUL, a small appetizer while we wait for the arrival of the group’s new album, which Guille is already working on and which will be out in 2010. While those new songs are in the works, this album will get us through the rest of this year and make the wait shorter for LA CASA AZUL’s newest album – though there are still more surprises on the way!!!
The album contains a data track with the video for “La Nueva Yma Sumac” in the Spanish and Japanese versions, as well as a screensaver for computers and mobile phones.
Guille Milkyway (LA CASA AZUL) is takes on the task of creating the incidental music for the movie “Yo, También” (Me, too). The soundtrack is atypical, with simple, bare pieces based around emotionally charged piano melodies that just as easily express great joy as sink into deep despair and frustration. Guille also takes charge of the movie’s theme song, a 70s style rumba also entitled “Yo, También”, which is something along the lines of the first recordings by LAS GRECAS or LOS AMAYA but boasts that magical touch typical of our maestro’s compositions. The result is a complete success from top to tail that will stay in our heads and be hummed and sung until we’ve had our fill. All of Guille’s new compositions illustrate the wide variety of styles that cohabitate in his mind, and go to show that nothing is impossible for one of the best musical composers of today.
"La Nueva Yma Sumac (What the Revolution Left Us)" makes the Spanish bestseller list.
“Yo, Tambien” is shown publically for the first time and meets with complete critical success. The San Sebastián Film Festival gets the movie off to a running start, and all signs indicate it will be of the most interesting independent films of 2010. The film is Álvaro and Antonio’s directorial debut, Pablo Pineda’s acting debut, Guille Milkyway’s soundtrack debut and the first important project for our recently created “Elefant Music Supervision”. All of this only intensified our excitement and our celebration of the two Silver Conch awards the film received in the 57th edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival, for best actor Pablo Pineda and best actress Lola Dueñas, both of whom are amazing on the screen, magical in real life and now constitute, thanks to the Festival, a “timeless couple”.
LA CASA AZUL is nominated for the special award for “Best Live Performance” for their concert at the Indietracks Festival in July. Guille Milkyway and his androids have to compete against bands like PET SHOP BOYS, MERCURY REV, Andrew Bird, THE DIRTY THREE, FRIENDLY FIRES, LILY ALLEN, MGMT, NOVELLE VAGUE, Patrick Wolf, TOM JONES, THOM YORKE, BON IVER and PJ Harvey, among others.
"La Revolución Sexual" is chosen as one of the best albums of the last ten years by Rockdelux magazine.
LA CASA AZUL wins at the UK Festival Awards. They are awarded the “Virtual Festivals Critics' Choice Award”, beating out artists like PET SHOP BOYS, THE SPECIALS, Thom Yorke, Carl Cox, THE PRODIGY and ALABAMA 3.
The UK Festival Awards are the Oscars of the England’s music festival industry. They are the only awards devoted to recognizing and rewarding the colossal human effort that goes into creating the most important festival scene in the world. Established in 2004 and organized by Virtualfestivals.com (the world’s top music festival website), the new edition of the UK Festival Awards was celebrated live on Thursday, November the 19th in London in a ceremony in which, in addition to the “Virtual Festivals Critics' Choice Award” won by LA CASA AZUL, 20 more prizes were awarded including BLUR's award for “Best Headliner”, Glastonbury for Best Festival and KINGS OF LEON’s award for “Anthem of the Summer” for “Sex on Fire”.
LA CASA AZUL’s impressive performance at the Indietracks festival in England in July, coupled with the charisma Guille exudes in live shows and a great party atmosphere in the audience enabled LA CASA AZUL to win this well-deserved award, which more than validates the talent and professionalism of the team that carried half of Spain with it on the "La Revolucion Sexual" tour which culminated in this final performance in England.
"Yo también (Me, too)" competes in the “World Cinema Narrative" category at the Sundance Film Festival (USA). Its soundtrack has already gone down in Elefant Records’ history and we feel very proud. “Yo, también”, the movie’s theme song by LA CASA AZUL, is becoming a huge hit in Spain and will likely triumph outside Spain as well.
2010
In January LA CASA AZUL is nominated for a Goya (Spanish cinema award) in the category of Best Original Song for “Yo, también”. On the 23rd of January a reception for all 2010 Goya finalists is held at the Real Casa de Correos in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Guille Milkyway attends the event with Lola Dueñas and Pablo Pineda, the film’s stars.
After the whirlwind of the past couple of years, both nationally and internationally, Guille takes another leap forward with his Goya nomination.
On the 14th of February the official Goya award ceremony is held in the Municipal Auditorium of Madrid, and Guille Milkyway walks off with the prize for “Best Original Song” in a well-deserved recognition of his talent.
On December 1st the digital version of LA CASA AZUL’s new single, “Todas tus amigas”, goes on sale. The single will include the cover of “Vacaciones” that was recently released on the tribute album to Carlos Berlanga, “Viaje Satélite alrededor de Carlos Berlanga”, as the B-side. "Todas tus amigas" is a song about suffering and about how liberating it is to be aware of other people’s suffering. It is about death’s inexorableness and escapism as a valid method of dealing with pain and fear. Sometimes we think it is impossible that certain people are suffering when outwardly they seem confident and well balanced. Learning that even these people can carry a profound hurt deep inside them can sometimes, frankly, be comforting and occasionally helps to trivialize one’s own suffering.
“Todas tus amigas” Nº1 on iTunes!!!
On December 13th the video-clip of “Todas tus amigas” released a video masterfully directed by Nadia Mata Portillo. And then in 2011 we will be able to enjoy "La Polinesia Meridional", LA CASA AZUL’s highly anticipated new album and their corresponding tour.
2011
On 28th November is realesed “La Polinesia Meridional”, one of the most expected spanish albums of 2011
Biography
Sunshine-pop producer Guille Milkyway found in the five members of LA CASA AZUL the perfect performers for his sunny melodies that mix the spirit of 60's A&M productions with 70's disco music and the most refreshing Europop from the 90’s. We're talking about perfectly crafted pop music, full of small details in the shape of arrangements. LA CASA AZUL have the knack to catch you from the first listen with their songs, making you play the main role in so many stories dreamt by all of us, where the main ingredients are love, happiness, friendship or even anger...
First news from the Barcelona-based band LA CASA AZUL (“The blue house”) come in the shape of a demo tape: splendid electronic pop songs, with very well formulated arrangements -quite surprising for a debut band- and very catchy choruses. Just with the broadcasting of this demo on some radio shows the band won a noticeable number of followers.
The five members of LA CASA AZUL don’t play live, they prefer the quiet atmosphere of the recording studios; it’s always their producer and songwriter, Guille Milkyway, who takes the role of introducing these superb pop hits live onstage.
The first live show takes place on August 20th, 1999, playing with other Elefant bands: ME ENVENENO DE AZULES, NIZA and VACACIONES. In November they play Zaragoza in a party hosted by Spanish fanzine La Indiferencia, with NIZA and LOS FRESONES REBELDES. The crowd attending the gig already knew by heart and sang along songs like “Cerca de Shibuya”, despite they hadn’t been released yet officially.
Another important show was their appearance in Barcelona, in a party to celebrate Elefant’s tenth anniversary. They played with LOS FRESONES REBELDES, VACACIONES and MARINE RESEARCH (ex-HEAVENLY).
On February 2000, Elefant releases a CD-Single by UK band SUPERCUTE, featuring a song -“Jamie Theakston”- remixed by LA CASA AZUL. There’s also a remix of the same song made by another Elefant band, LA MONJA ENANA.
Their most outstanding gig so far takes place in May 2000, in the awards delivery party of the radio show “Viaje a los sueños polares”. They receive three awards: best new act according to the show directors, the same according to the listeners, and best 1999 demo, chosen by the listeners as well.
The first song they ever released is the demo version of “Cerca de Shibuya”, included in an Elefant compilation given away with the November 1999 issue of Spanish magazine Rockdelux. Their debut mini-album comes out in October 2000, featuring six songs that combine Europop dancey beats with the spirit of old A&M sixties productions, so you could also define their sound as a cross between THE ARCHIES and PET SHOP BOYS.
Whilst LA CASA AZUL is working on songs for their debut album Guille Milkyway is far from inactivity: he produced bands like MIRAFIORI (Madrid) and COLAJET SET, a new band formed by Felipe (LOS FRESONES REBELDES) and Ana (LA MONJA ENANA). Guille recorded also a single under the name of MILKYWAY.
2003
As an advance of the album release, two new songs are included on the Elefant compilation “Modapop”: “Jamás te he olvidado” and “En noches como la de hoy”. They play two Elefant nights to promote the comp, in Madrid and Barcelona, along with CAMERA OBSCURA, NIZA, ENTRE RÍOS, NIZA and LES TRÈS BIEN ENSEMBLE. LA CASA AZUL play in front of a massive dancing audience which surrenders to their arsenal of pop hits.
Finally, in December arrives the long-awaited long player by LA CASA AZUL, “Tan simple como el amor”, almost at the same time they take part in the tribute to FAMILY album, covering “Viaje a los sueños polares”.
The album receives great reviews, among them a very good one in MOJO magazine (UK), from the April 2005 issue.
2004
LA CASA AZUL start the year playing the parties celebrating the 25th anniversary of the “Flor de pasión” radio show (Radio 3), directed by DJ Juan de pablos, great admiror and fan of the band since its first steps.
They play the fifth and last edition of the “Es pop mamá” festival (on February 14th) in Barcelona, as well as the Soft Pop Tour festival in La Coruña (on March 5th); during these two shows, and from now on, Guille Milkyway is helped live with the backing vocals and cute choreographies by two members of the all-girl band LAS DONETES.
On March 27th they play to a raving audience at the Otros Mundos Pop festival in León.
The five members from LA CASA AZUL make their first TV appearance: they play “Música uno” and “Zona Disney”, both on TVE, lip-syncing “Superguay”, the first single taken from the album. In “Zona Disney” they get a feature and an interview as well as the performance.
During the month of June, the band and their producer travel back to Madrid to shoot the footage for the videoclips of “Como un fan” and “El sol no brillará nunca más”. Both clips are directed by Domingo González.
In the summer that year they play at Contempopranea festival (Badajoz), in Gijón and also the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB), playing in this last space one of the most memorable concerts done by the band to this date, with a crazed audience from the very first song. During these shows the crowd could watch the visuals specially prepared by Domingo González to go with the band’s live performances.
The new theme song for TV show ZONA DISNEY (TVE/ DISNEY CHANNEL) is written by Guille Milkyway. Since there is pop music, the kids have been listening to great pop tunes/toons, from THE MONKEES to SUPERGRASS. “Vente a Zona Disney”, which is also the theme song for the show in Portugal (with its own version in Portuguese), is performed in its TV version by Yanira, Natalia, Jimmy, Sergio and Gonzalo, the five teenage hosts of this popular show, but will soon be covered too by another bunch of happy and joyful teenagers: LA CASA AZUL.
By the end of the year they incloude a song on the soundtrack of a Spanish comedy entitled “El asombroso mundo de Borjamari y Pocholo”, featuring a cast including Santiago Segura and Willy Toledo, two of the most famous current Spanish comedians.
The movie is about two posh kids from the 80’s who don’t want (or don’t know how) to grow up, and so the soundtrack features a selection of the main pop hits in the Spanish 80’s, the years internationally known as the “movida” in Madrid. Besides from that, the soundtrack includes a few more songs composed for the occasion by musician Miguel Malla (MASTRETTA), and a guest slot by LA CASA AZUL with the song “Chicle cosmos”, taken from their debut mini-album, “El sonido efervescente de La Casa Azul”.
2005
On February 4th, the band hosts the official first ever public broadcast of their new videoclip, “Como un fan”, at the Ocho y Medio Club in Madrid.
“Como un fan” (“Like a fan”) is nothing but a clear statement coming from a band like LA CASA AZUL, deeply fascinated by pop culture in its most colourful shapes.
The video, shot during the previous summer, starts introducing the five members of the band, one by one, and then we meet them in different day-to-day situations: playing sports (skating, at the swimming pool, playing tennis); at home (having breakfast, reading, listening to music); in highschool. Afterwards, we see them perform at an imaginary TV show (Canal HI-FI), surrounded by many crazed fans, mad about their songs, who dance over circular platforms as seen so many times in the footage from the 60's. The tribute to the aesthetics of pop's golden age is complete with the wink to the BEATLES’ “A hard day's night”, with the
band being chased around the city by their fanatic followers.
In July, Guille Milkyway flies to Japan in order to take part in the Elefant parties that are being organized there as a part of ExpoAichi 2005. LA CASA AZUL plays along with NIZA (who have reformed for the occasion) and DJ Polar in the two Elefant parties at club Cay (at Spiral Hall in Tokyo's Shibuya district), on July 23rd and 24th. The feedback from the Japanese fans is amazing, and hundreds of people dance like crazy to the music played by LA CASA AZUL.
Before these successful concerts, on July the 17th and 22nd, Guille spins some records along with DJ Polar in two other Elefant parties (one of them organized with the help of the Apple Crumble store), which are held at the clubs CHU! and Aoi Heya in Shibuya.
In the Fall of 2005, David, Sergio, Clara, Virginia and Oscar are the stars in a new sparkling pop story, once again directed by Domingo González. On the video of the song “El sol no brillará nunca más” we can see the five band members playing in a TV set, and this footage mixes with other images showing a love story at a party. The surroundings (the TV set, the house where they throw their party) is the dream of a pop music lover, and the images are like brightly coloured fireworks. A new visual tribute to the best pop music of all time.
In October comes out "Como un fan", a new EP consisting of two new pop gems in technicolour (“Viva (un poco más) el amor” and “Debería plantearme cambiar” ), plus the title song, taken from the album ("Como un fan") and a wonderful cover version of an original track by Spanish cult pop band FAMILY, plus the videoclips of "Superguay" and "Como un fan", two teenage pop explosions directed by Domingo González.
“Como un fan” climbs directly up to number 10 on the top singles list in Spain on the week going from october 24th to the 30th, 2005. The public have received with joy the release of this new single, which on its first week on sale features among the most asked for along with such bands as DEPECHE MODE or FRANZ FERDINAND (and many others we don’t dare to even mention). The single stays amont the top selling records for four weeks in a row.
2006
"Como un fan" ranks among the best singles of 2005 according to influential Spanish magazine Rockdelux, and so does the videoclip of the title song according to the same polls.
Whilst their fans wait impatiently for a new album, the band offers an array of new live performances in Spain, where they haven't played since 2004. With these shows, both the band and producer Guille Milkyway give a perfect ending to the excellent results of the debut album. In these shows, Guille plays all the hits, and also more intimate songs on the piano. The first shows in Zaragoza and Valladolid have a big success, and tickets for the date in Madrid are sold out since weeks before. Hundreds of raving fans singalong to every song and enjoy the live versions sung by Guille.
In March comes out "Villa Flir", the new, Guille Milkyway-produced album by legendary Spanish pop chanteuse KIKI D'AKÍ.
On the compilation "We heart rock" (Sonic Art Union), featuring all the recordings released by John William Davies under the names TEEN ANTHEMS, STEPS PISTOLS or SUPERCUTE (he released a CD-single on Elefant Records under this moniker), is included the remix of the song "Jamie Theakston" by LA CASA AZUL.
On May 3rd comes out the reissue their debut album, with renewed sound (mastered by Xavier Alarcón), new artwork and many extra tracks. The original album featured eight songs, and the featured tracks on this reissue will rise to twenty-one. Besides the eight original songs, this reissue includes the band’s first three demos: the first one, “Te invito a mi fiesta” (recorded between 1998 and 1999), which features the first version of their classic tune “Cerca de Shibuya” and several previously unreleased songs; the second one, “Canciones ligeras” (1999), which features Jeanette’s version “Si no voy a esperar” among others; and the third one, “Galletas” (1999). Besides of this, the album features three bonus tracks: the cover version of the 80’s hit by MECANO “Quiero vivir en la ciudad”; the revised version of their classic song “Chicle Cosmos” (revised in 2005 to be used in the soundtrack of the movie “Borjamari y Pocholo”); and the song “Tantas cosas que arreglar” (initially released in our compilation “Momentos perdidos”).
For the new cover we used the beautiful illustrations drawn by Duprez, who perfectly captured the unique mood and universe of the band, and their philosophy of eternal fun and happy pop scapism.
Korean label Happy Robot Records, which had already released "Tan simple como el amor", releases the reissue in Korea in May. This new Korean release comes along with three live shows by CORAZÓN and LA CASA AZUL in Korean land, between May 14th and 18th.
To begin with, both bands play on May 14th at the Naini Island Festival, a free entrance open air festival that goes on during two months in an amphitheatre in Naini Island.
The next show takes place on May 16th as a part of the Latin Music Festival, coorganized by the Spanish Embassy in Seoul and the Spanish Department at the University of Korea: a benefit show for orphan children and teenagers. LA CASA AZUL and CORAZÓN are the special guests at this festival held at Inchon Memorial Hall, a thousand people capacity pavilion in Koryo (University of Korea). On this festival, hosted by two renown TV presenters from public broadcasting channel KBS, and recorded and broadcasted by nationwide public channels KBS and EBS, there are different contests (there's even a prize given by the Real Madrid Foundation!), concerts by Korean bands and, finally, the guest star shows by CORAZÓN and LA CASA AZUL.
The last show is a new free entrance show by both bands on May 18th, at the University of Yonsei Auditorium.
Just back from Korea we receive fresh news that show how popular LA CASA AZUL is down there: cosmetics brand DHC Korea chose the song "Galletas" to be featured on a tv ad. You can see it by clicking on the following link.
Once back in Spain, the new shows keep growing more and more successful: on June 24th they fill up the Apolo club in Barcelona, on the 29th they play with LADYTRON at the Contemporary Arts Museum in León, and on the 30th they are chosen to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Ocho y Medio club in Madrid.
In July, LA CASA AZUL includes the song "Prefiero bailar" (taken from the album "Tan simple como el amor") in the "Peachy little secrets" compilation, released by new label from Singapore Fruit Records.
The compilation features fourteen Asian pop bands (among them MY LITTLE AIRPORT from Hong-Kong, the new signing on Elefant Records), as well as six international bands where, as well as LA CASA AZUL, we find Australian band THE LUCKSMITHS or American band MY FAVORITE.
On July 29th LA CASA AZUL play Contempopranea festival in Alburquerque (Badajoz) and in September they play the Lemon Pop festival in Murcia, in a concert that is broadcasted live through Radio 3. These two festival shows are the last ones this season, since Guille is already busy in his studio, recording the tracks for the new album by LA CASA AZUL, due to be released in 2007.
At the end of 2006, Spanish video production company Malvalanda released a double-DVD featuring the work of 18 Spanish filmmakers who work in the videoclip field. The title of this compilation, which apart from the videoclips includes interviews and comments with the directors, is "Eclectia". As you can tell from the name itself, the list of artists featured is quite eclectic, going from ASTRUD to the commercial latin-pop of Bisbal or the rockist ways of Andrés Calamaro. But we are of course especially interested in the interviews and comments with two of the directors that work regularly with Elefant Records: Gabe Ibáñez (with "Canción de todo va mal" by LE MANS) and Domingo González.
Also by the end of the year LA CASA AZUL include a cover version of the song by (with "Como un fan" by LA CASA AZUL). José Feliciano "Feliz Navidad" on the Christmas compilation "Cuentos de Navidad", fourth volume of the series "Teoría y práctica melódica" released yearly by Spanish label Jabalina, where they appear along other Elefant artists as CORAZÓN, MIRAFIORI or LA MONJA ENANA.
2007
On March 23rd has been premiered in Spain the movie "The Svensson's Syndrome", the first full length movie by Spanish filmmaker Kepa Sojo, who had already been awarded many times with his previous short movies, "100 maneras de hacer el pollo al txilindrón", "Looking for Chencho" and "Cuando puedas". Defined as the first nonsense-pop movie, "The Svensson's Syndrome" is a nonsensical, surrealistic, underground film with music as its background. The main characters travel in an absurd epic trip to Xàtiva, where there's a pop megaconcert by the hype band of the moment, the KU-3. Music is a very important part of the movie, and on it we can listen to such important names in the independent music scene as FAMILY, LA CASA AZUL, TENDER TRAP, NOSOTRÄSH, JUNIPER MOON or MOGUL.
Music by bands on Elefant Records has been used very often as the perfect dressing for movies, TV series and several commercials. Many music advisors and publicity executives are fans of the label and its bands, and obviously a big part of the music we release is ideal for this task. The last experience we've had on this note is the ad for the new Samsung mobile telephone, where two songs from our catalogue have been chosen as soundtrack to its images: "Avalon" by BEEF (already used in the US on a "Summerland" episode) and the new song by LA CASA AZUL "Un mundo mejor" (which will be included on their next album, "La revolución sexual"). Besides, the ad has been directed by a longtime friend, director Domingo González (who directed the short film "Las superamigas contra el Profesor Vinilo", and videos by LA CASA AZUL or CAMERA OBSCURA). So get ready to watch daily on TV an ad with pop aesthetics and delicious music in the background.
Finally, in November arrives “La revolución sexual” ("The sexual revolution"), and it features thirteen new songs where Guille Milkyway makes a big step forward in the evolution of his sound and the concept of one of the more successful records we have ever released in Elefant Records.
On this new release we will discover one of the best kept secrets of our age: the boys and girls in the band... are not human! They are humanoids, programmed by Guille so that they can perform his hyper-tech, super-vitaminic, heavily Nippon influenced pop songs! Soon we will let you know more about this, but you must also know that in the new songs by LA CASA AZUL both sound and the themes they sing about evolve towards new landscapes, without losing the direction they have always followed: love and despair are not the only axis on the songs anymore, but we find other feelings as frustration, failed relationships or personal fears; but the music does not lose its chirpy, effervescent qualities at all: this goes to the extreme and the new songs sound even more technological, more Made in Shibuya than ever.
The new shows will be very different to what producer Guille Milkyway used to do until now: it will be an audiovisual, technological experience, a total performance designed to surprise, where Guille will finally have the help of the boys and girls in the band. The shows will be full of unexpected actions with a concept that's very different to what you're used to see in a pop concert. You can believe us when we we tell you that no one will be deceived by these shows, and people will talk very much and very long about them.
Ever since we announced the release of “La Revolucion Sexual” a true revolution has broken out amongst LA CASA AZUL fans. The tickets to both of the Madrid concerts in Sala Sol (Nov. 16th and 17th) have been sold out since last week, clearly demonstrating the excitement this new album is causing . We felt the fever rise with the number of LA CASA AZUL fans when the album was released in FNAC in Madrid and Barcelona, with lines of people cueing for Guille Milkyway to sign their copy of the new release: the cds quickly sold out, and Guille ended up autographing until the stores closed their doors to the public. The same positive energy ignited at the Elastico Club in Madrid where fans were waiting patiently outside before the club even opened: it’s clear that the LA CASA AZUL phenomenon would not exist without the faithfulness and enthusiasm of fans. Without you, none of this would be possible. Although we were ecstatic with the ticket sales this weekend in Madrid, we’re left with a bittersweet sensation for those of you who were not able to purchase tickets. Do not be discouraged and do not throw out the possibility of seeing upcoming concerts in other cities (and sharing the experience with fans from other parts of the country).
Throughout this week you can hear Guille presenting songs from the album on the radio program Siglo 21 on Radio 3, read interviews in various national newspapers such as: Tuesday Nov. 13tth (PÚBLICO Newspaper), Friday Nov. 16th (La Luna EL MUNDO), Friday Nov. 16 (LA RAZÓN), and the amazing, bomb news is that the Guillemania jumps into the mainstream: next Sunday November 18th you can read all about Guille/LA CASA AZUL in the supplement of EL PAÍS SEMANAL (EPS). Even your grandma will know about LA CASA AZUL!
The release of the cd was highly anticipated and long awaited for and we knew what was coming, but good news always makes for a nice surprise: LA CASA AZUL hits the top of the charts in Spain. Throughout the first week on sale, the new album completely sold out in every store, as well as tickets to scheduled concerts, LA CASA AZUL landed directly to number 25 on the charts! Finally a bit of indie color among the top of the charts!
"La revolución sexual" the new LA CASA AZUL video shows the new technological twist of the second phase the group is wrapped up in. Domingo González, director of the three previous LA CASA AZUL videos, has left us absolutely astonished; More inspired than ever, he intelligently achieved mixing two opposing worlds into the video -futuristic coldness and technology- skillfully displaying the new phase of LA CASA AZUL, the synthetic aspect of the group and the human and sentimental side which Guille releases with himself and his music. An explosive mix of the musical influences which saunters about LA CASA AZUL, in a virtual reality format; a refreshing world to dance in, have fun, enjoy oneself, feel the love, loneliness...and of course insisting on our greatly admired Japanese country (with a tribute included to the dance “para para”). The perfect video for truly digging deep into the true sexual revolution.
In December, the group is on the cover of the music magazine MONDO SONORO.
Full house for their concerts in the Apolo in Barcelona (sold out) and the Sala Heineken in Valencia.[pagina]
2008
Since the release of "La Revolución Sexual" last November, 2007, so many things have happened that it’s impossible to summarize them in these few lines; the press has unanimously loved the album and turned it into a classic in the history of music in this country from the very first day it went on sale. But the most important thing has been how the fans flocked to the stores, longing to get their hands on this delicious collection of songs, placing the album on the best-selling lists in Spain for three consecutive weeks, which is a serious feat for an independent album. The fans’ unconditional support has been and is absolutely fundamental in understanding what many call “la Guillemania”, and not without reason – Guille is a magnetic and special person who has won the heart of his fans; his albums and his songs instantly become a reflection of our own lives and his concerts, in addition to being an original and different audiovisual and technological experience, they have also become an explosion of happiness and liberation, an exercise charged with emotion and paradisiacal satisfaction. Madrid was the chosen city for setting off the “La Revolución Sexual” tour with two incredible nights in the mythic club El Sol, with tickets sold-out days before the concert and absolutely desperate fans unable to get tickets to see their favorite group. They have all been promised a new date in Madrid on March 10th, when “La Revolución Sexual” will unfold in all its glory in Joy Eslava, one of the nicest and most elegant clubs in the capital.
Success and full houses in their concerts in Murcia (Auditorio), Bilbao (Santana 27), La Coruña (Playa Club) and Bilbao (Breogain).
LA CASA AZUL was one of the artists chosen via MySpace for the pre-selection party for TVE’s “Salvemos Eurovisión”. The winning group would represent our country in the EUROVISIÓN 2008 festival (Belgrade). The gala takes place on March 8.
Throughout the year they play in the most important festivals in Spain: Cultura Pop (Madrid), Valladolindie (Valladolid), Día de la Música (Barcelona), Murcia Sound (Murcia), Pop-Arb (Arbúcles), APTC (Zaragoza), FIB (Benicassim), Contempopranea (Badajoz), Semana Grande San Sebastian, Altaveu (Barcelona), BAM (Barcelona), Lemon Pop (Murcia), CamOn (Alicante), FIZ (Zaragoza), Benvinguda (Valencia), Periferias (Huesca), Fiestas Mayores patronales de Benidorm, Palma de Mallorca…etc
In July, the video “Esta Noche Solo Cantan Para Mi” is shown in the Ocho y Medio club in Madrid. The video-clip was directed by Domingo González, with whom the group has worked before and who has always known how to understand and perfectly convey the song, showing the most intimate side of LA CASA AZUL, put never losing sight of the imaginary and artful world that characterizes the group. MTV made a Making of the Video with it, (perfect to learn how a LA CASA AZUL video is created and to listen to declarations from Guille as well as many others who float around in the blue universe).
LA CASA AZUL write the theme song for the TV3 program “Els 25”. “Vull Saber-ho Tot de Tu” is another super-hit for the group, an explosive and catchy melody, outstanding arrangements, references to disco and lyrics, written in Catalan for the first time, about the televised world.
In September they perform in the MTV BAM Music Week festival in Barcelona; more than 20,000 people gather to watch the live recording of LA CASA AZUL’s concert for MTV. The moment was immortalized thanks to MTV’s cameras, which caught every unique and special moment of the performance.
After a very active year, the group decides to take some time off and they give their last concert of the “Lav Revolución Sexual” tour on December 20th in Palma de Mallorca. 2009 will be a year in which Guille is working on new songs in the studio both for LA CASA AZUL and for MILYWAY.
2009
Guille is invited to participate in the 30th anniversary party for the program on “Flor de Pasión” on Radio 3.
A performance by LA CASA AZUL is chosen by Rockdelux magazine as one of the best national live performances of the year.
LA CASA AZUL performs at the Indietracks Festival in July. This is their only concert of the year. The British festival Indietracks honours Elefant Records for the label’s twentieth birthday, giving it control of the organization of the main stage as a birthday present.
In September "La Nueva Yma Sumac (What the Revolution Left Us)" is released. It is a very special album, a limited edition album for fans, friends and lovers of pop. It is a sonic postcard depicting these last few months in the life of LA CASA AZUL, a small appetizer while we wait for the arrival of the group’s new album, which Guille is already working on and which will be out in 2010. While those new songs are in the works, this album will get us through the rest of this year and make the wait shorter for LA CASA AZUL’s newest album – though there are still more surprises on the way!!!
The album contains a data track with the video for “La Nueva Yma Sumac” in the Spanish and Japanese versions, as well as a screensaver for computers and mobile phones.
Guille Milkyway (LA CASA AZUL) is takes on the task of creating the incidental music for the movie “Yo, También” (Me, too). The soundtrack is atypical, with simple, bare pieces based around emotionally charged piano melodies that just as easily express great joy as sink into deep despair and frustration. Guille also takes charge of the movie’s theme song, a 70s style rumba also entitled “Yo, También”, which is something along the lines of the first recordings by LAS GRECAS or LOS AMAYA but boasts that magical touch typical of our maestro’s compositions. The result is a complete success from top to tail that will stay in our heads and be hummed and sung until we’ve had our fill. All of Guille’s new compositions illustrate the wide variety of styles that cohabitate in his mind, and go to show that nothing is impossible for one of the best musical composers of today.
"La Nueva Yma Sumac (What the Revolution Left Us)" makes the Spanish bestseller list.
“Yo, Tambien” is shown publically for the first time and meets with complete critical success. The San Sebastián Film Festival gets the movie off to a running start, and all signs indicate it will be of the most interesting independent films of 2010. The film is Álvaro and Antonio’s directorial debut, Pablo Pineda’s acting debut, Guille Milkyway’s soundtrack debut and the first important project for our recently created “Elefant Music Supervision”. All of this only intensified our excitement and our celebration of the two Silver Conch awards the film received in the 57th edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival, for best actor Pablo Pineda and best actress Lola Dueñas, both of whom are amazing on the screen, magical in real life and now constitute, thanks to the Festival, a “timeless couple”.
LA CASA AZUL is nominated for the special award for “Best Live Performance” for their concert at the Indietracks Festival in July. Guille Milkyway and his androids have to compete against bands like PET SHOP BOYS, MERCURY REV, Andrew Bird, THE DIRTY THREE, FRIENDLY FIRES, LILY ALLEN, MGMT, NOVELLE VAGUE, Patrick Wolf, TOM JONES, THOM YORKE, BON IVER and PJ Harvey, among others.
"La Revolución Sexual" is chosen as one of the best albums of the last ten years by Rockdelux magazine.
LA CASA AZUL wins at the UK Festival Awards. They are awarded the “Virtual Festivals Critics' Choice Award”, beating out artists like PET SHOP BOYS, THE SPECIALS, Thom Yorke, Carl Cox, THE PRODIGY and ALABAMA 3.
The UK Festival Awards are the Oscars of the England’s music festival industry. They are the only awards devoted to recognizing and rewarding the colossal human effort that goes into creating the most important festival scene in the world. Established in 2004 and organized by Virtualfestivals.com (the world’s top music festival website), the new edition of the UK Festival Awards was celebrated live on Thursday, November the 19th in London in a ceremony in which, in addition to the “Virtual Festivals Critics' Choice Award” won by LA CASA AZUL, 20 more prizes were awarded including BLUR's award for “Best Headliner”, Glastonbury for Best Festival and KINGS OF LEON’s award for “Anthem of the Summer” for “Sex on Fire”.
LA CASA AZUL’s impressive performance at the Indietracks festival in England in July, coupled with the charisma Guille exudes in live shows and a great party atmosphere in the audience enabled LA CASA AZUL to win this well-deserved award, which more than validates the talent and professionalism of the team that carried half of Spain with it on the "La Revolucion Sexual" tour which culminated in this final performance in England.
"Yo también (Me, too)" competes in the “World Cinema Narrative" category at the Sundance Film Festival (USA). Its soundtrack has already gone down in Elefant Records’ history and we feel very proud. “Yo, también”, the movie’s theme song by LA CASA AZUL, is becoming a huge hit in Spain and will likely triumph outside Spain as well.
2010
In January LA CASA AZUL is nominated for a Goya (Spanish cinema award) in the category of Best Original Song for “Yo, también”. On the 23rd of January a reception for all 2010 Goya finalists is held at the Real Casa de Correos in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Guille Milkyway attends the event with Lola Dueñas and Pablo Pineda, the film’s stars.
After the whirlwind of the past couple of years, both nationally and internationally, Guille takes another leap forward with his Goya nomination.
On the 14th of February the official Goya award ceremony is held in the Municipal Auditorium of Madrid, and Guille Milkyway walks off with the prize for “Best Original Song” in a well-deserved recognition of his talent.
On December 1st the digital version of LA CASA AZUL’s new single, “Todas tus amigas”, goes on sale. The single will include the cover of “Vacaciones” that was recently released on the tribute album to Carlos Berlanga, “Viaje Satélite alrededor de Carlos Berlanga”, as the B-side. "Todas tus amigas" is a song about suffering and about how liberating it is to be aware of other people’s suffering. It is about death’s inexorableness and escapism as a valid method of dealing with pain and fear. Sometimes we think it is impossible that certain people are suffering when outwardly they seem confident and well balanced. Learning that even these people can carry a profound hurt deep inside them can sometimes, frankly, be comforting and occasionally helps to trivialize one’s own suffering.
“Todas tus amigas” Nº1 on iTunes!!!
On December 13th the video-clip of “Todas tus amigas” released a video masterfully directed by Nadia Mata Portillo. And then in 2011 we will be able to enjoy "La Polinesia Meridional", LA CASA AZUL’s highly anticipated new album and their corresponding tour.
2011
On 28th November is realesed “La Polinesia Meridional”, one of the most expected spanish albums of 2011
