BETO VAZQUEZ INFINITY

AN INTRODUCTION TO A REMARKABLE ARGENTINIAN PURVEYOR OF STUNNING FEMME-METAL MUSIC

Your guide…..PAUL JEROME SMITH

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Consider the following salient information by way of introduction:

1.  Symphonic metal band Beto Vazquez Infinity is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was formed in 1999 by the bass player and songwriter after whom the band is named.

2.  BVI have released three albums (‘Beto Vazquez Infinity’, ‘Flying Towards The New Horizon’ and ‘Darkmind’) and one EP (‘Wizard’) of hauntingly stunning symphonic metal since the start of the new millennium.

3.  The recordings have featured vocals from a galaxy of female voices including Candice Night, Sabine Edelsbacher, Tarja Turunen, Liv Kristine, Floor Jansen, Elisa Martin, Quinn Weng, Sonia Pineault, Marcela Bovio and Kiara as well as guest performances from Fabio Leone, Jörg Michael, Emppu Vuorinen, Arjen Lucassen, Antti Railio and Aldo Lonobile.

4.   2010 will see the release of a double album with no fewer than 18 guest musicians and vocalists…

It’s definitely time to find out more and to hope that BVI’s music will become more easily available in Europe…

I begin by asking Beto to tell me something of his background and of the desires and hopes that led him to form BVI…..

Hello Paul, First of all I'd like to say thanks to you for taking the time to do this special feature. Means a lot to me that readers of UK can get more information.

After many years of playing, I decided to play music much more complex, and went to study at  the Music School in Florida, where I got training in harmonies and keyboards.
I was playing bass  in my previous band,  and had the expectation of expanding my own horizons.  And hopes  of  been known out of South America and more precisely from Buenos Aires Argentina, so I  decided to form a band with musicians from Argentina and international artists. To be an international project based in South America.

Your band’s self-titled debut album is thankfully quite widely available, Beto - unlike subsequent releases - and this is something I will return to later. Here I would like to explore with you the ideas you were trying to develop on your debut release and the reasons for seeking out guest vocalists and musicians – something that has become a trademark feature of all subsequent BVI releases…

In fact, the first Album is located in almost everywhere, simply because the  of the contacts that my producer from that time did. Who had a record company in Argentina. So the reason that my other Albums aren't as easily to find as the first, both in distribution and record companies is simply because I do not have the power and the contacts that I should have to negotiate contracts directly with the labels that released the first album.

           
The song ‘Wizard’ with vocals by Sabine Edelsbacher of Edenbridge is perhaps the signature track of this debut release, Beto, and indeed you followed up the album release with an EP that headlined this song. I believe this included alternate versions of some of the tracks from the first album plus some rare tracks…

Wizard is one of my favorite composicions. While not my favorite is among them. Inspired me to make the video of that song and the Ep * Wizard * is the exact conclusion of the first Album.
That have as you say, alternative and rare tracks. I did it as something special for those who collect my music and wants to have, demo versions or alternative tracks. Actually the idea was to expand the discography with rare stuff  based on the first album.
About the Battle of Valmourt –MCD-  was a pilot test done in Argentina, there were only a thousand copies, and contained two instrumental songs, with two of the songs from the first album with the choruses,  sung by two of the  major singers. Tarja Turunen and Sabine Edelsbacher. These thousand copies got sold out, because they sold quickly, and the company decided to leave  it * sold out * to make it as a rarity in my discography.  Those MCD copyrights are not mine, otherwise I will have re-release them as bonus tracks in one of my other albums.

These first two releases came out in 2001 and 2002 respectively. Your second album ‘Flying Towards The New Horizon’ wasn’t released until 2006.  That’s a long time, Beto!

However, from my researches, it would appear that you did record an as yet to be released album (‘Space Without Limits’) in 2003 that included Elisa Martin, Liv Kristine, Floor Jansen, Emppu Vuorinen and Arjen Lucassen amongst the guest vocalists and performers. This may be a difficult and painful subject for you to discuss, Beto, but what is going on and is it ever likely to be released now?

 At first, I love when people ask me questions, is steeped in the subject that is talking  about and this is the case. It's all correct what you  are saying.
That album was recorded and meant to be released  in 2003. It was the continuation of my full album recording career.
The big problem we had it with the record company. Since they had troubles with  the  recordings at that time with producing and mixing. A problem completely unrelated to the musicians in question (in this case me).
And unfortunately for all this, the record company denied to us all  the release of this Album. And as you say were in legal troubles. Because over time,that album become nothing.
Anyway, now after almost 7 years. We are in discussions with the producer of that album and are trying to reach a settlement, personally speaking, to see if we can release it.
But this is still not yet solved. It is simply a warm conversation we had booked for this year. My hopes that the album  be released  are still valid and would be nice for the fact that on that album,participate not only excellent and large national and international musicians, such as those you name it correctly, but also for the music.
Also had my first experience recording 5 tracks of my composition with a symphony orchestra of 33 musicians from Argentina. It is very shocking to hear your music with a director accompanied by an orchestra arranger with so many musicians. And when the sound that you hear is what you wrote It really fills you with pride and makes you realise what great achievement is it, hopefully people can enjoy it some day.

It appears that you have circumvented the problems with ‘Space Without Limits’ by creating your own record label for subsequent releases, Beto…(and you also seem to have a good-looking retail outlet in Buenos Aires)…

 In the case of Flying Towards the New Horizon, when I saw that SWL, did not come out and they continued delaying and diluting everything. It was very simple  in my head  the path i should follow for  try to get out with  my own record company or disappeared from the market. Therefore the delay you name from album to album is correct and couldn't do anything because I stile hoped  for release that CD.
But when i saw that it was not happening, I began to write automatically.
And I would have only one way, starting again from 0 or retire myself from music, so I started again, and that was the story of the launch of Flying Towards the New Horizon.
Sales in Buenos Aires, are, very, very well. Because even the distributors buy me a box of  closed CD’s and even got contacted to try to license it and distribute it overseas. That is why I can self support me now, and just now with  Darkmind I can take for granted that I have a sounds and a production of international quality.

Tell me about your first release on your new label, ‘Flying Towards The New Horizon’.  Once again your band was joined by a number of guest vocalists and musicians

Exactly what I can tell you is that this album was created with much love. Because almost came from the heart and with few resources available to us at that time,as we had nothing else to do with the previous record label ,not  we received any support of any kind ,in fact I repeat, the release  of that album was enough reason for everyone to realize why stopped working with that label.

About the people I’d invited to participate, was very well received the invitation to participate and collaborate on that album, like both Sonia and Anti or Aldo and everyone who participated and there were many. All worked from the heart and with the will of helping us get this new album  out thus I had to managed to create my record label.

For the composition of the album I started  tried not to make a music so fussy or so classified as metal ballads, but something that  were gothic and more power at the same time, it was taking one more step in other direction .Make new changes to my projects for not been classified in one style.
In fact if SWL get released, people will see there is a marked difference  between albums and  that SWL is much more power and gothic .And that would be interesting for people to listen as shows how music evolves between each album.
I can name you some songs of Flying towards the new horizon, such as Secret that Sonia is singing, which has a very strong letter content and very adult, who is for people of a certain kind of society does not accept ideas and has some barriers in terms thoughts.

O Star Loser fact that this a funny heavy song, which I dedicate to people that ( especially the lyrics) that wanted to put obstacles and rocks and sticks on my road,for prevent me grow. To all of them,people ,producers and musicians themselves, they are the Star Losers of life, they're own poison ends killing themselves, according to my vision. And so the song ends with a very funny effect.

Or I can name you also the most complex composition I’d made so far, I think. Which is * Tales of the Black Tower* is a sort of rock opera, composed in 4 chapters ,begins with a very dark story but ends very successful, with narration and classical interludes in between.

The name of the album, FLYING TOWARDS THE NEW HORIZON simply because if you look at the album cover, you're going to realize that as birds are asleep, there's one that takes off and goes toward the new horizon, this was the state of the band for me, when I wrote the album. As  the band was sleeping, but we had to take over and take the step to repositioning ourselves, to let people know we were alive as a band.

‘Darkmind’ is your most recent album release, and features no fewer than eight female voices! My friend Russ Elliot over at ‘Musical Discoveries’ (www.musicaldiscoveries.com) – which focuses upon female artists and female-fronted bands – has provided a detailed review and I would at this point encourage the readers of ‘Fireworks’ to go and have a look at what he has to say in his 5 star appraisal!

BVI now includes a permanent female voice in Jessica Lehto (whom Fireworks readers should know from the Factory Of Dreams album ‘Poles‘ that I reviewed in Fireworks, and where the more observant amongst you will have noted my first reference to ‘Darkmind’). She is also has her own solo project, Once There Was. 

This leads me into exploring with you how you discovered Jessica, and indeed how you now unearth the increasingly more obscure female voice guests. For instance, on Darkmind you include Sandra Schleret (Elis), Manda Ophuis (Nemesea), Ivana Anic Lara (Angelseed) and Sabrina Carrion (Heavenfalls) amongst the contributors…

I can say  that Jessica is brilliant, she came to me and then my proposal was  that she remains permanently in the band because her work is excellent.
About the singers that I choose, I'm actually listening to music online ,both new bands and not so new ,and I get to see the texture and colors of the voices and then I have ideas for who will be better in this or that song .
All the singers you mentioned in the question have different textures of voices. Some more darker, others more sopranos. And if you listen to each song you'll see that each one fits perfectly.
Is about how much the singer fits perfectly with the song, no matter the style or color of the voice.

This brings me to your latest project – a double CD – that is planned for a late 2010 release. What can you reveal to me about this? Is it, for instance a “conceptual album”?

Actually it's a double album that somehow underline the creation of this project, and is  unconventional to release something of this magnitude for my albums.
In fact the first 1000 copies will be numbered in an  very impressive edition,Digipack and deluxe presentation. The limited edition will contain a sticker of the band and,will be sold through our web shop, also our edition will come accompanied by a promotional poster with all the guests musicians.
Is a concept album from the title * Existence * and the lyrics has stories that apply to any concept that has to do with human existence, and secondly there is also more personal stories that are narrated in the form of songs.

You seem to be casting your net ever further for the contributing guests, Beto, and amongst the female voices this time will be Gaby Koss (ex Haggard),  Lady Angellica (Forever Slave), Melissa Ferlaack (ex Visions Of Atlantis) and Sonya Scarlet (Theatres Des Vampires) and I’m starting to think the new album will be a very dark and heavy affair…….?

The album is actually very rich in terms of compositions. They will be able to appreciate great classical music mixed with metal and listen to many singers  that people do not know, all those discoveries will dazzle more than one person, because, more than be hunting on the net,I love to recognize when someone has a talent and a gift with this very special instrument that is the voice.
Beyond that I think I also have to be grateful because the times that I had sent a friend request, never got a denial back. On the contrary the words that I receive back are always great. I  use to ask if they know my project and they all do, which that to me makes me very proud. And makes me realize that yes I am known outside my country. And as we talked in the beginning of this report, that was the initial idea for the project.
But I don't only hunt on the net, I am so fortunate to receive offerings and invitations to hear singers to be taken into account in my next albums.

Hence many pearls discoveries that will be heard on this new album.
So I think it will be very rich in quality , including, musicians, music, graphics and content.
And not just in terms of female artists, as this new album is double and has over 20 songs, luckily I was able to incorporate male singers with excellent vocal qualities for the delight of people who also like that kind of voices.

Well, thank you, Beto, for talking about your music with me.  At the moment, the releases on your own label are very difficult to acquire in Europe except via the web shop at http://www.betovazquezinfinity.com.ar/webshop.htm and I am wondering by way of conclusion of our discussion whether you are hoping to conclude any licencing deals to make your music more easily and more widely available. After all, the map showing web hits on your my Space site shows a huge concentration in Europe…

That's right, frankly nothing would make me happier than labels contact me directly through my official website and talk directly with me because I am completely willing and open to license the entire album in Europe.
Is not that complicated to talk directly with me that I am the executive producer and at this time. Of course I would love to be released in more places.
I do say thanks to people who come to the official web shop and buy the record and support  the project.
It has a plus with Darkmind, as is Argentina edition,goes to the buyer with the limited promotional poster that is for each unit.
So thanks to all who give me a hand by buying and supporting me, because thanks to the fans, I keep working on ,in making better products, with more quality and better sounds and graphic art and I can give them back something more complex, thanks to them.

Thank you for your time in helping me assemble this feature, Beto. I hope (and expect!) interest in your music to grow even more quickly now.

c. Paul Jerome Smith, Fireworks Magazine 2010

Thanks to you Paul for the interview, I am very grateful to the people who are interested in this case as you.
So that people worldwide can read and learn a little more about this project that is like a  kind of puzzle,and also music is our passion which I believe is what unites us all.
A big hug
Beto Vazquez.