What could be better than being brought up by a family who always had a genuine interest about music? Nicolás Lazo Zubieta, who was born on a 15th of may in 1984, started showing musical interest, and even musical devotion, at a very early age. His first steps were taken in Viña del Mar, Chile, but he moved to Sweden when he was just a little child. That would be a crucial event in his life, which would set a core stone for his thoughts and feelings about music diversity in general.
When he was six years old, he started playing English flute. Later on, when he was back in Chile, he began singing at school, where he actively participated in different activities, such as the students’ choir, instrumental workshops and a various range of students’ festivals. Aiming to fulfill his dreams he began a career in Music and Pedagogy at the Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV). During this period, while Nicolás studies song and follows the Cathedra of clarinet at the Conservatory of Music at the same University, he also participates in a bunch of music projects, among them “The Choir of the Music Institute of the PUCV” and the association called “Lakitas del Araksaya”, group dedicated to play and rescue the traditional music of the north of Chile, in which he played the Siku (panpipe from the Andes).
Together with some well renowned musicians from the neighboring tracts, he takes part in the group “Filarmónica Santa Cecilia”, a project that seeks to rescue the music interpreted at the beginning of the 20th century in Chile. It is worth noticing Nicolás’ participation in the recording of this bands’ first record (‘Mandolinas y violines, Filarmónicas del Puerto y la Pampa’), as a clarinetist and singer.
In 2006 he forms part of the group “Sereno”, in which he plays the clarinet creating an interesting mix of classical music and andean folkmusic
Taking new paths in life, Nicolás moves back to Sweden in 2008. Back in Stockholm, he begins playing latinamerican folkmusic in the bands “Trova del Sur” and “Wayras”. In these two bands he plays percussion, clarinet, and a wide range of traditional instruments, such as charango, tiple, venezuelan cuatro and panpipe, among others.
Seeking new musical experiences, he gets involved with the band “Charkikán”, a musical enterprise that embraces rhythms such as cumbia and psychedelic rock, and which has become very popular among the latinamerican residents in Stockholm (Charkikan's album on Spotify). Besides participating in this former band, Nicolás has also being involved since 2009 as a leader singer in the emerging band “Sona Vivaz”, group that is characterized by being a mix of various musical styles, such as ska, reggae, latin and funk. Together with this band, he participates in diverse festivals throughout Sweden, and also in a series of concerts in well renowned scenarios in Stockholm and its surroundings. Worth noticing is the gig offered by Sona Vivaz on the TV show ‘Nyhetsmorgon’, on the Swedish national channel.
Nicolás has also accompanied a bunch of important artists in Sweden as a guitar player, among them, Arja Saijonmaa, Finish singer widely known for her political and musical commitment to South America.
Later on, in 2011, Nicolás Lazo Zubieta was invited to take part of the iranian pop band “Abjeez”. Since then he has been playing keyboards and singing choirs around Europe and USA, delivering an interesting mix of pop, reggae and flamenco.
Nowadays he is actively involved in the artistic scene of Stockholm, and in music tours throughout the country and also outside Europe.