mau y Ricky’s “Hotel Caracas” Album Is an Ode to Family & Venezuelan Roots
Mau y ricky’s latest album, “Hotel Caracas,” represents a important evolution for the duo, marking not only a new musical era but also a deeply personal one. released on their own label,Why Club Records,in partnership with Warner Music Latina,the LP is a testament to their journey from hopeful young musicians to established artists and growing families.
The brothers’ musical beginnings are intertwined with fellow artist Camilo,whose early career benefited from their collaborative spirit – notably through songs like “Tutu.” They’ve continued to support each other, with Mau y Ricky co-writing a track on Camilo’s “Cuatro” album and featuring a brother-in-law on their song “Karma.” Reflecting on their shared history, Ricky remembers the improbable beginnings: “It’s pretty crazy and wild to think back on what we were able to accomplish that started from being these four hopeful kids that had big dreams to one day make it in music.”
“Hotel Caracas” is especially meaningful as it allows Mau y Ricky to create within a supportive “collective” with loved ones, as Mau describes, fostering “little moments of creative bonding.” This sense of security extends to their personal lives. Both brothers have expanded their families recently; Mau and Sara Escobar welcomed their son Apollo in 2022, and Ricky married Argentine model Stefi Roitman. This newfound stability has empowered them to explore vulnerable themes in their music.
“Being married and starting our own families has given us a sense of security,” Ricky explains. ”at this point, my wife knows me exactly as I am, and I can tell the stories I’m telling…Before, we might have been like, ‘You’re not going to say that.’ With that sense of security, I’m like, ‘I’ve been through all this, and I got to say it because I know that it can help somebody.'” The album delves into themes of romance, heartbreak, and intimacy with a newfound openness.
Beyond personal growth, ”Hotel Caracas” signifies a reconnection with their Venezuelan heritage. The album is infused with Venezuelan slang and “swagger,” and all 15 music videos were filmed across various cities within the country.A documentary capturing their experience during this filming process is also forthcoming. the project employed over 200 Venezuelan crew members, demonstrating a commitment to supporting local talent.
Mau emphasizes the importance of this return: “We needed to reconnect. We felt like we were going through this identity crisis or lack of feeling a part of somewhere…That was one of them. It was lovely when we got to heal that [wound] when we went back to our country.”
Looking ahead, Mau y Ricky are promoting “Hotel Caracas” with intimate Lobby Bar concerts in the US and Latin America, and plan a full tour later in the year. Mau acknowledges the challenges of balancing fatherhood with his career, but finds joy in the prospect of his son growing up with their music. “To be honest, it’s hard, but it’s also super fun,” he says. “Let’s say 60 years from now, I love knowing that those songs [on ‘Hotel Caracas’] are a part of his childhood.”
