This quarantine family band in Charlotte is ‘Livin’ La Vida COVID’ with music videos
Charlotte musician Tony Arreaza had long dreamed of forming a family band with his wife, Ailen, and their two sons, Lucas and Paulo. Quarantine during COVID-19 became his best opportunity to make it happen.
Tony plays guitar in UltimaNota, a five-person Latin American band. He’s also an event planner, coordinating festivals such as the Latin American Festival in Charlotte. He’s used to practicing weekly with his bandmates and playing gigs on the weekends.
The Arreaza family self-quarantined a full 10 days before Mecklenburg County’s stay-at-home order was in place on March 26. They were concerned about Tony’s type 1 diabetes; he’s at a higher risk for severe complications associated with COVID-19.
This isolation has been rough on him.
Ailen is deputy director with the nonprofit Parents Together. She also wrote the “Give Me Libertad” column in Creative Loafing from 2013-2016. She proclaims not to have musical talent but enjoys writing the silly lyrics and getting help with rhyming and phrases from Lucas, 10.
“Music has always been a big part of our lives,” Ailen said. “But I don’t think we’ve ever made music together before.”
Since April 6, the family has performed popular songs by Ricky Martin, Oasis and others. The changed song titles and lyrics – “Tan Solitos,” “Cuarentena,” “Wonder Fall” and “Livin’ La Vida COVID” – reflect the sign of the times: quarantine, stay at home and don’t drink bleach.
“I have been dreaming of this moment,” said Tony, 46. “Having her (Ailen) come up with these lyrics and songs is super cool for me.”
The videos are public. You can follow them on Instagram at @mujerconsombrero or find them on Facebook pages for Ailen Arreaza and Tony Arreaza.
With a few incentives (read: bribes), the kids agreed to dance and sing in the family music videos, too. They started with a Spanish song, “Calma” by Pedro Capó, and changed its title to “Quedate en tu Casa” or “Stay Home.” A line about turning off the screen, grabbing a beer and heading to the beach inspired Ailen to write new lyrics.
“Now, the only way you can see the beach is on the screen,” said Ailen, 36. “I changed that lyric to: ‘if you want to see the beach, you have to open the screen.’”
It takes four to five tries before the family gets something they’re willing to post. Although Ailen practices her lyrics in the shower, Paulo said she sometimes forgets them.
“It’s kind of hard for everyone to do everything in one try,” said Paulo, 7. “We mess up a lot.”
Positive reactions from family and friends near and far have kept them motivated to continue their Saturday routine. They’re planning a special project for Mother’s Day, too.
“I feel like it’s a little joy,” Tony said. “Some say, ‘Man, this is the only good news I saw on social media today.’”
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 11:25 AM.
