Indie music in Venezuela has been part of the culture of the younger generations. Its emergence was nothing more than the desire to create art during difficult circumstances, at a time when there were no plans to make music due to the crisis that Venezuelans were going through.

It all happened thanks to young musicians who gradually came together to make music, just with the idea of expressing their feelings. That's how it all started.

Discovering artists from different countries can be one of the best decisions we can make as listeners, and certainly, Venezuelan indie music is very important due to the great number of artists and bands that have emerged since the 2000s.

If you are interested in getting to know what the indie music scene in this country is like, you have come to the right place.

But first, you should get to know the "Nuevas Bandas" Festival inaugurated in 1991. It started as an event with few spectators who wanted to support the new generations of Venezuelan musicians where all kinds of genres such as pop, rock, and metal were covered. However, over the years it has become the greatest festival in Venezuela, and most importantly, indie bands and artists have come out of it.

Also "Cusica" is known in the Venezuelan indie culture, as a company that is responsible for disseminating and selling music by Venezuelan artists. In December 2022, "Cusica Fest" will be held, a festival that will feature more than 25 international and Venezuelan artists.

La Vida Bohème

So, these are some of the best indie bands and artists that can be found in Venezuela.

1. La Vida Bohème

La Vida Bohéme is one of the best-known indie rock bands in Venezuela. They were formed in 2006, and in the following year, they released their first EP called "La Vida Bohéme" which consisted of three songs.

They were winners of the "Nuevas Bandas" festival in 2008 and in 2010 they released their first album called "Nuestra". Since then they have been nominated numerous times for the Latin Grammys. In 2022 they announced a tour in Europe and Latin America.

Americania

2. Americania

Americania was a band founded in 2008 with influences ranging from indie to alternative. They were also winners of "Nuevas Bandas" in 2009 and in 2011 they released an album with the participation of other Venezuelan artists called "Sigo".

In 2013 they made their last album "Fiesta del Rey del Drama" and then announced the end of their musical career. Although they are no longer together, they are great exponents of Venezuelan indie music.

Irepelusa

3. Irepelusa

Irepelusa is one of the most influential artists in Venezuela. She was in an indie rock band called Polyman in 2016, then she decided to pursue her musical career as a soloist. A few years later her first single "Carledos” was released, achieving good reviews.

Throughout her career, she has written songs in both Spanish and English, but in 2022 she started a tour in Spain and Latin America where she is accompanied by "Motherflowers".

4. Viniloversus

Viniloversus is an indie rock band formed in 2004. In 2007 they released their first music video called "Directo al Grano''. During those years they visited Spain and the United States giving concerts constantly. In 2010 they released their most famous album ''Si No Nos Mata'' which was nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2022 they toured Venezuela and the United States.

5. Okills

Okills is an indie pop band founded in 2010. In that same year, they released their debut single "Querido Loco" which had great diffusion thanks to Venezuelan radio stations. In 2011 they released an EP called "Reiniciando Transmisión".

A few years later they were invited to participate in the album "La Herencia" by Simón Díaz, one of the most important artists in Venezuela. For 2023 they announced a Tour in which they will visit Spain, Argentina, Venezuela, and Chile.

6. Todosantos

Todosantos was a group formed in 2003 with electronic and indie influences that allowed them to participate in some Venezuelan cultural events. They were known for creating striking percussion elements that gave an exceptional touch to their songs. In 2004 they participated as guests in the aforementioned "Nuevas Bandas" Festival, allowing them to be nationally known.

In 2005 they had their debut with the album "Aeropuerto", currently the most famous and mythical album of the band due to its great acceptance. Nowadays they continue making music, but with other influences and a different project.

Difficulties of making music in Venezuela

Making music in Venezuela has been a challenge for thousands of musicians over time, as it is a constant state of uncertainty. Some have decided to leave the country, but others have stayed to go against the tide, and constantly struggle.

Many bands and indie artists have seen no other way to preserve their art than to look for new spaces outside the country. A perfect example is all the bands in this article that gradually developed their music in other places such as Mexico, Colombia, and the United States.

Due to the economic crisis that Venezuela was going through, concerts ceased to exist for a couple of years. But since the end of 2021, concerts have started again, where bands such as Viniloversus, La Vida Bohéme, and Okills have performed in Venezuelan cities.

Most of the time, Venezuelan bands become nationally known after playing with foreign artists who come to the country, which is an excellent opportunity.

To capture the attention of the Venezuelan public you have to give concerts constantly and motivate people to listen to your music. In the city of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, there are many bars, clubs, restaurants, discos, and cultural centers where artists can perform to make themselves known. It is a slow process, which often takes years, but success and gratification are worth it.

We hope you now have information to delve deeper into the indie music of Venezuela. If you found this article helpful, please share it with other musicians so they can get to know the music of this country, and help to promote it.