The album “Hotel Caracas” by Mau Y Ricky is an ode to the family

Although some celebrities stand out from the subject of their famous parents, this has never been the case for Mau Y Ricky. The authors-composers-Venezuelan interpreted are the sons of the Latin pop icon Ricardo Montaner. However, the talent of the Montaner family does not end with Mau, Ricky and Ricardo. Mau and Ricky’s sister, Evaluna Montaner, and their brother-in-law, Camilo, also have an impact on industry. If you listen carefully, the voices of the Elder Evaluna and Camilo can be heard on the new album of Mau Y Ricky “Hotel Caracas”, which also marked the return of the brothers to Venezuela for the first time in more than a decade. The family and the community are basic principles for the duo.

“There is no obvious hiding place,” said Ricky Montaner about his famous family. “I am proud as a family that we have been able to raise each other, inspire each other and connect with people in this way. It’s beautiful and special.”

Having grown up in Caracas, Mau and Ricky saw their father made great successes like “Tan Enamorados” and “Besame” on closed counters. He even brought them on stage to sing with him from time to time. Ricardo also had a record company with the Venezuelan brothers Servando and Florentino. They often repeated at home and showed young Montaner Brothers that a duo of brothers and sisters in Latin music was possible. Now the sons invite their father to sing their songs. In a hidden functionality of the song “Muriendo de Miedo”, Ricardo’s voice harmonizes beautifully with his sons.

“This is the complete loop,” says Mau Montaner. “I have the impression that he should be there. We are very grateful to what he said for us as a father, obviously as support in the first years and as an influence. It is like paying tribute and thank him musically for all that he meant for us and honor what he did.”

Despite Montaner’s connection, Mau Y Ricky still had to work hard alone to gain respect for the industry. While developing their musical act, they also trained a collective for writing songs which included the longtime collaborator Jontheproducer and their future brother-in-law, Camilo. They helped pen tubes like “Sin Pijama” by Becky G and Natti Natasha, “Pineapple” by Karol G, “Sale pa ‘Ca” by Ricky Martin with Maluma, and their own breakthrough “Desconocidos”, which served as a launching ramp for Camilo’s pop career. Mau y Ricky CowRorot A song on Camilo’s recent album “Cuatro”, and their brother-in-law is also presented on their song “Karma”.

“It’s pretty crazy and wild to think back to what we have been able to accomplish who started to be these fucking of four hopeful children who had a big dream to make it in music,” recalls Ricky, referring to himself, Mau, Camilo and Jontheproducer.

“We did it in our own way, and it was in a collective with people we love,” said Mau. “Being able to meet and having these little moments of creative affair is magnificent. We have created part of my favorite music alongside Cami.”

“Hotel Caracas” reports a new era in Mau Y Ricky’s music. He marks the first release of the album on their own label, Why Club Records, in partnership with Warner Music Latina. The LP also comes to the heels of Mau y Ricky expanding their own family. In 2022, Mau and his wife Sara Escobar welcomed their first child, Apollo, and Ricky later married the Argentinian model Stefi Roitman. It is their most personal and daring album, with songs on romance, sorrow and sex.

“Being married and starting our own families gave us a feeling of security,” said Ricky. “At this point, my wife knows me exactly like me, and I can tell the stories I tell, and many of them talk about my past or my past. With this feeling of security, I say to myself: ‘I have lived all this, and I must say it because I know that it can help someone.’ “”

To promote the album “Hotel Caracas”, Mau Y Ricky organizes bar concerts with intimate hall in the United States and Latin America. The brothers also plan to hit the road with a visit at the end of the year. Mau admits that he adapts to the juggling to be a father to Apollo and to live his dreams as a pop star with his brother.

“To be honest, it’s difficult, but it’s also super fun,” he said. “Let’s say in 60 years, I love to know that these songs [on ‘Hotel Caracas’] are part of his childhood. I love the idea that he learned to say certain words and that he learned to play simulation drums or pretending trumpets because he heard these songs. They are part of its development, and music has more development in the brain of children than we even think. “”

“Hotel Caracas” also marks the return of Mau Y Ricky to their country of origin, Venezuela. The songs plummeted with a Venezuelan boastful and use the local slang. The 15 clips for the album were shot in cities in Venezuela, with a next documentary that has captured their experience. Mau Y Ricky worked with more than 200 crew members based in Venezuela for the project.

“We had to reconnect,” said Mau. “We had the impression of going through this identity crisis or the lack of feeling part of somewhere. For a long time, we felt it, and as you mature, you start noticing these little wounds that you have to heal. [wound] When we returned to our country. It was three months to know our country in the best possible way, in addition to filming videos to represent the beauty of Venezuela. “”

Lucas Villa is an American Mexican music journalist who covers pop and Latin music. More than 11 years old, he interviewed pop queens and Latin music superstars for places like PS, Elle, Rolling Stone, Billboard, MTV News, Paper, W Magazine, Vibe and LGBTQ Nation.