Since the release of their debut album in 1995, Lucybell has established itself as a prominent force in the "Rock en Español" movement. The band’s distinctive sound has resonated widely, making them a household name in Chile and a significant contributor to the genre internationally.
Lucybell's music features a harmonious blend of electronic, acoustic, and rock guitar elements, drawing comparisons to bands such as Blur, Catherine Wheel, and Radiohead. Their critically acclaimed debut album, Peces, garnered the Best New Group award from the Chilean Association of Entertainment Journalists (APES). The band's second album, Viajar, released in 1996, propelled them to international recognition, with several singles featured on MTV and extensive tours throughout Mexico, the U.S., and Colombia. They took a significant step in their production journey by establishing their own studio to create their third album, which they mixed in Buenos Aires and mastered at London's Abbey Road Studios with engineer Chris Blair, known for his work with The Beatles and Radiohead.
The release of their fourth studio album, Amanece, solidified Lucybell's status as one of the leading Latin rock bands in Chile and Latin America. Their live album and DVD, Sesión Futura, along with the Sálvame la vida EP, earned them the Best Group APES award in 2003.
Lucybell has become the best-selling rock band in Chile, boasting six gold records and a dedicated fan base. In pursuit of a broader audience, the band relocated to Los Angeles, California, in April 2003. The subsequent months were spent writing new material in their Burbank rehearsal studio, where they connected with British sound engineer Adam Moseley, who shared their vision for their new sound. Moseley was chosen to produce the first single from their upcoming album, recorded and mixed at The Boat, the studio owned by the Dust Brothers.
The Sálvame la vida EP was released in Chile as Lucybell continued to work on the remainder of the album. They recorded and mixed 12 additional tracks at The Boat with Moseley, completing the project by the end of 2003. This album, titled Lúmina, showcases a more mature and experimental sound, highlighted by the elegant lyrics of guitarist and vocalist Claudio Valenzuela and the intensive production efforts of bassist and keyboardist Eduardo Caces.
In 2005, Cote Foncea joined the band, having a long-standing relationship with Claudio and Eduardo, which facilitated a smooth integration. The band toured extensively across America, with regular stops in Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia, and the USA.
After nearly a year of live performances, Lucybell began producing their eighth studio album, Comiendo Fuego, co-produced with their longtime friend and producer Adam Moseley. This album reached number one on the Chilean charts, marking the start of a full year of touring and promotion.
Lucybell later settled in Mexico City, where between 2006 and 2007, they completed a new EP titled Primitivo. This ninth production, characterized by a heavy rock mood, comprised six songs, with Cote, Claudio, and Eduardo overseeing both production and composition. It was recorded in Chile at Estudios Foncea and mixed in Mexico at Jarpa Estudios.
The year 2008 was particularly busy for the band, as they recorded a live show over two days in a studio filled with an audience of 200 people per show, capturing the energy and music with nine cameras. The outcome was SESION PRIMITIVA, their second live album, featuring 13 live tracks and two new studio songs, produced by Lucybell and executive-produced by Cote Foncea, Christian Rojas, and Pablo Ayala. Directed by Los Felipes (Felipe Foncea and Felipe Sepulveda), the album was set for release in November 2008, with simultaneous launches in Chile, Mexico, and Peru.
Stay tuned for more of Lucybell's evolving story.