PEÑA
ABOUT
PEÑA is the dynamic musical project led by Nico Peña, a Chilean-American artist celebrated for his eclectic blend of influences and prolific output. Originally from New Jersey and now based in San Francisco, Nico's music is a fusion of his East Coast roots and the vibrant cultural melting pot of his West Coast home.
Singing in both Spanish and English, his unique sound is a rich tapestry of genres. Seamlessly weaving together Latin jazz rhythms, soulful vocals, introspective emo themes, sun-soaked surf rock vibes, the smooth allure of bossa nova, dreamy textures of shoegaze, and the intimate, raw aesthetic of lo-fi pop.
Nico self-produced his first few releases at his home studio during a turbulent time in his life, nearly moving away from SF but was forced to stay put during the Big Lockdown. He emerged with two full-length albums under his belt in 2020 - ‘no rain, no flowers’ and ‘nothing new’.
In 2022, PEÑA birthed its live band form and has captivated audiences all around the Bay Area ever since, including performances with Pearl and the Oysters, Vinyl Williams, and Thee Sinseers at notable venues like The Chapel, Bottom of the HIll, and Rickshaw Stop. The live EP ‘EN VIVO’ was recorded at Hyde Street Studios and released in 2023, featuring him and his bandmates performing a range of songs from his back catalog.
Producing the most recent album ‘para ti’ involved a slight departure from his usual workflow - inviting a more collaborative experience, recording with friends and bandmates layering themselves on top of his isolated foundations. The album explores profound themes of self-growth, navigating anxiety, embracing leadership, the complexities of love, and the journey towards maturity. It’s also his first project sung completely in Spanish - a long-held goal of his since he wrote the lullaby ‘Salud’ under his old musical moniker comfort back in 2017. Mixed by Will Chason (Ye) and mastered by Jason Kick (Mild High Club), ‘para ti’ marks a new era for PEÑA - with an illuminating sonic clarity the ambitious songwriting deserves.
Singing in both Spanish and English, his unique sound is a rich tapestry of genres. Seamlessly weaving together Latin jazz rhythms, soulful vocals, introspective emo themes, sun-soaked surf rock vibes, the smooth allure of bossa nova, dreamy textures of shoegaze, and the intimate, raw aesthetic of lo-fi pop.
Nico self-produced his first few releases at his home studio during a turbulent time in his life, nearly moving away from SF but was forced to stay put during the Big Lockdown. He emerged with two full-length albums under his belt in 2020 - ‘no rain, no flowers’ and ‘nothing new’.
In 2022, PEÑA birthed its live band form and has captivated audiences all around the Bay Area ever since, including performances with Pearl and the Oysters, Vinyl Williams, and Thee Sinseers at notable venues like The Chapel, Bottom of the HIll, and Rickshaw Stop. The live EP ‘EN VIVO’ was recorded at Hyde Street Studios and released in 2023, featuring him and his bandmates performing a range of songs from his back catalog.
Producing the most recent album ‘para ti’ involved a slight departure from his usual workflow - inviting a more collaborative experience, recording with friends and bandmates layering themselves on top of his isolated foundations. The album explores profound themes of self-growth, navigating anxiety, embracing leadership, the complexities of love, and the journey towards maturity. It’s also his first project sung completely in Spanish - a long-held goal of his since he wrote the lullaby ‘Salud’ under his old musical moniker comfort back in 2017. Mixed by Will Chason (Ye) and mastered by Jason Kick (Mild High Club), ‘para ti’ marks a new era for PEÑA - with an illuminating sonic clarity the ambitious songwriting deserves.
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