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[title]Ten years of growth in which they have established themselves as one of the leading proposals for quality content for children. With original music, thought-provoking lyrics, and lovable characters, Pequeño Pez has made its way into the children's world as an invitation to enjoy but also to learn, explore, and expand knowledge.
They are Cecilia, Iván, Fran, and Juan, and they spoke with Time Out about their present, their past, the challenge of speaking to the little ones in their language with respect, and of course, the excitement of celebrating this special birthday with their audience at the Gran Rex with two amazing shows on April 27.
Starting to Swim
Cecilia always knew that art was her calling, and she never stopped searching. With a broad education, she studied theater, music, bass, singing, composition, visual arts, and production. Finally, after graduating with a degree in dramatic arts in late 2009, she founded Pequeño Pez as an original theater company. In 2015, with the addition of Iván, Fran, and Juan, it became the band we know today. The magic was set, and the growth was rapid.
They say that when creating for children, the central goal is to ensure that the music is respectful, made with love, and with responsibility. "We like to provide quality content that is age-appropriate, music that awakens all the senses. Songs that parents will want to listen to with their little ones, or even on their own."
"We like to provide quality content that is age-appropriate, music that awakens all the senses"
With seven albums already released, there are recurring themes they most enjoy discussing: self-recognition, the environment, empathy, care and respect for animals, nature, the planet Earth, and love. These themes often serve as triggers that lead to endless stories to compose. Like the beloved dinosaur, who is very different from the rest of his species because he loves books and has a canary as his best friend, or the magician who lost his magic and, after searching for it everywhere, discovers that it was inside him all along.
The rhythms of their songs are very varied. What is the composition process like?
“We are from a generation that grew up playing on the sidewalk, with the group of neighborhood friends, camping, and lots and lots of music. From Fito, Spinetta, Cerati, and Charly to The Beatles and María Elena Walsh.”
“We are from a generation that grew up playing on the sidewalk, with the group of neighborhood friends, camping, and lots and lots of music”
"We started playing in bands where we explored rock, Latin, reggae, and ska, so fusion was inevitable. But little by little, we began incorporating native rhythms like chacarera and carnavalito, adding murga and candombe, which bring fun. The idea is to convey diversity for all tastes and make the album or show rich in every way."
"We like to provide quality content that is age-appropriate, music that awakens all the senses"
They admit that what they enjoy most about interacting with children is that, with their innocence, love, and lack of prejudice, the kids always push them to do their best and make them feel like kids again for a while.
They’ve become a reference for quality content for children with a playful yet educational touch. How do they work that mix?
"We're not teachers, we're musicians with plenty of experience working with children, with many years of leading theater, clown, and art workshops. Spaces where play is the fundamental pillar of teaching, and that helped a lot. We found in music the piece for a perfect mechanism to combine education, art, and play."
Pequeño Pez, a Viral Phenomenon
Just looking at a few numbers shows the scale of the Pequeño Pez phenomenon:
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Over 750 million streams on YouTube and Spotify
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A 2024 tour that included 50 concerts in different countries
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The first children's group to sign with Universal Latino
However, they say they don’t focus on what they generate because their effort is focused on improving every day. "Of course, it makes us happy when we see the streams grow because it confirms that we are supporting millions of families around the world and that we can be there for children with autism, speech difficulties, motor problems, or even unique illnesses."
"We found in music the piece for a perfect mechanism to combine education, art, and play"
Oscar the octopus, Tobi the dog, Romario the dinosaur, and Kuki the monster are the characters that accompany them on this playful journey and have already won the hearts of children. Cecilia reveals that they come from the songs: she creates and draws them as she writes the songs. Sometimes the character comes first, and then the story, or vice versa. With the sketch in hand, it’s digitized for content on platforms, videos, or books, and brought to life as a puppet, marionette, or figurine for live shows. Children are grateful because they can share songs and learning with their favorite characters.
What are your expectations for the show at Gran Rex?
“We want to fully enjoy it because it has been a long journey to get here, and we want families to do the same: have fun, spend that time playing with their little ones, and live the Pequeño Pez experience full of happiness. We want it to be a unique opportunity to play and dance as a family and for everyone to be moved by the music and the experience of enjoying a concert with the youngest, who in many cases are attending their first live show with us. And we want them to remember this show forever because it’s going to have lots of surprises!”
When and where: April 27, Teatro Gran Rex. Tickets available here.