Dutch version

Biography

After a two-year hiatus El Pino & the Volunteers presents their sophomore effort. On ‘The Long-lost Art of Becoming Invisible’ the band seeks adventure, changes colors and eventually reinvent itself in the process.

On ‘The Long-lost Art of Becoming Invisible’ the band deals with a variety of subjects: anonymity & change, being on the road and in the bar, hope & dispair, love and (in)finity. What started out as a project besides frontman David Pino’s punkrock endeavors has become a first class indiepop band.

During spring and summer of 2009 El Pino & the Volunteers heads out to Katwijk aan Zee to once again work with producer Reyn Ouwehand and a fistful of guest musicians – amongst whom are Room Eleven’s Janne Schra and Kyteman violist Sietse van Gorkom – on the recordings of the ‘always tricky’ second album. End result ‘The Long-lost Art of Becoming Invisible’ turns out to be a passionate and fresh album. A fitting second chapter in which the Americana flavored sound from Molten City makes way for the experiment.

When Molten City is released in 2006 the pace for El Pino & the Volunteers shifts into second gear. They win the prestigious Essent Award, are nominated for 3voor12’s ‘Album of the Year’, go on tour with renowned Dutch popband Johan and play sweltering shows at festivals like Lowlands, Noorderslag, Metropolis, De Parade and Oerol. The sudden rise in attention and busy tour schedule leave their mark on the band, eventually resulting in the departure of band member Harm Goslink Kuiper, who currently pursues a solo career.

Instead of trying to fill the void left by multi-instrumentalist Goslink the band finds pianist Job Roggeveen, who joins the band and becomes a full-time Volunteer. In September 2009 drummer Wouter de Waart also leaves the band. His place is taken by Jeroen Kleijn (Daryll-Ann, Johan, Spinvis).

El Pino & The Volunteers had already been around for several years when they release a four track EP, titled ‘Cougar’, in 2005. Following that release a certain buzz starts to build up around the band. Various labels make an offer and the band eventually signs with Excelsior Recordings.

The Long-lost Art of Becoming Invisible will officially be presented to the public November 12th at Rotown, Rotterdam, and December 10th at Paradiso, Amsterdam. Next up is an extensive tour throughout the Dutch venues.

***

For more information please contact niels@artisticvice.com.