“Ah-tare-see-oh-pey-la-dos” means the Velvets. The name comes from a reference by Simone de Beauvoir to “the velvet flower of passion.” It also describes the texture of lead singer Andrea Echeverri’s distinctive voice. Over the course of several albums their original punk-rock sound has been infused with traditional Latin and Caribbean styles and instrumentation. After 20+ years, the group remains one of the most adventurous and influential Latin Alternative bands.
