{{short description|Spanish band}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Nena Daconte | image = Nena daconte en directo Vistalegre.jpg | caption = Mai Meneses, leader of Nena Daconte (2013) | image_size = | background = group_or_band | alias = Mai Meneses | origin = Madrid, Barcelona | genre = Pop | years_active = 2004–present | label = Universal Music Spain | website = [http://www.nenadaconte.com www.nenadaconte.com] | current_members = Mai Meneses (Vocals, Composer & Writer) }} '''Nena Daconte''' ({{IPA|es|ˈnena ðaˈkonte}}){{efn|In isolation, ''Daconte'' is pronounced {{IPA|es|daˈkonte|}}.}} is a Spanish pop band created and led by singer and composer Mai Meneses in Barcelona circa 2005. The band takes its name inspired by a character from the short story "The Trail Of Your Blood On The Snow", by Gabriel García Márquez.
==Early years==
Fanlo left the formation and Mai Meneses continues as the lead singer and songwriter of Nena Daconte. Before the creation of Nena Daconte, Mai Meneses participated in the second edition of a Spanish TV singing contest called "Operacion Triunfo".
== Discography == === He Perdido los Zapatos (2006) === left|thumb|"Retales de Carnaval" tour (2008) Nena Daconte's first album was titled ''He perdido los zapatos'' (I've Lost My Shoes) and it was edited and produced by Daconte Music, the band's own record label, in 2005. Shortly after, Nena Daconte signed with music label Universal Music Spain, and the album was released and sold to the public on 27 March 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.los40.com/musica/album/he-perdido-los-zapatos/musica-album/1244336.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315015846/http://www.los40.com/musica/album/he-perdido-los-zapatos/musica-album/1244336.aspx |archive-date=2013-03-15 }}</ref> The music and lyrics of the record were composed by Mai Meneses,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elepe.com/nena-daconte/he-perdido-los-zapatos/|title=He perdido los zapatos de Nena Daconte|website=Elepé}}</ref> based on early drafts written by her during previous years. right|thumb|Nena Daconte performing live (Barcelona 2011) ''Idiota'' (Idiot) was their first single. Later editions of the album included a new version of ''Idiota'' produced by Carlos Jean and mastered in New York City. ''Idiota'' reached number 25 of the Spanish billboard charts.
The second single was ''En que estrella estará'' (In What Star Will It Be). The song was selected to be the official theme for the ''Vuelta Ciclista a España'' (Spanish Cycling Tour) of 2006. For this promoting event, Nena Daconte filmed a videoclip<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/nena-daconte-protagoniza-junto-a-antonio-banderas-el-spot-de-la-vuelta-2006/nota/1285880.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> along with Spanish Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas. ''En que estrella estará'' reached the number 1 position<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/nena-daconte-consigue-su-primer-numero-1-en-los-40-principales/nota/1286880.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> on the Spanish billboard charts for 5 weeks.
Nena Daconte's debut album went Gold in Spain. Later on that same year, Nena Daconte was nominated for an MTV Europe Music Awards.
In 2006, Nena Daconte was awarded the Premio Ondas (Spanish music Award) for Best Spanish Breakout Artist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/10/25/comunicacion/1161790414.html|title=TVE, 'Buenafuente', 'Aída', 'Salvador' y Shakira, Premios Ondas 2006 | elmundo.es|website=www.elmundo.es}}</ref>
In 2007, Nena Daconte released a luxury edition of ''He perdido los zapatos''. The luxury edition features new bonus tracks, including acoustic versions of the songs ''Engáñame a mi también'' (Fool Me Too) and ''Pierdo el tiempo'' (Wasting My Time), as well as a cover of Bob Dylan´s song ''The Mighty Quinn'', which featured in the Spanish TV spot of Codorniu.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.periodistadigital.com/old/514006.shtml |title=Codorníu evocará clasicismo y modernidad en su anuncio para la próxima Navidad :: Salud :: Periodista Digital |access-date=2013-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181714/http://www.periodistadigital.com/old/514006.shtml |archive-date=2016-03-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aside from these new songs, the luxury edition also included a DVD with updated artwork, pictures and interviews.
The ''He perdido los zapatos'' tour featured more than 100 concerts throughout Spain. The band also played live in Berlin (Pop-Konn Festival) and Paris.
=== Retales de Carnaval (2008) === Their second album, titled "Retales De Carnaval", was released in Spain on 30 September 2008, two years after the debut record. As with the first record, this second album was entirely composed by Mai Meneses.
The first single to air on the radio was "Tenia tanto que darte"" (I Had a Lot To Give You), and it premiered in August 2008. On November of that same year, "Tenia tanto que darte" reached the number 1 position on the Spanish billboard chart (40 Principales), clinching it for two consecutive weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/todos-los-numeros-uno-de-los-40-a-la-venta/nota/1292904.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> For the video of the single, Nena Daconte worked along with producer Marc Lozano of Nanouk Films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nanouk.tv/home-2?lang=es|title=nanouk.tv — Nanouk Films}}</ref>
"Tenia tanto que darte" was certified 2× Platinum twice in 2008, for digital downloads and ringtones.<ref>{{cite certification|region=Spain|type=single|digital=true|certyear=2008|certweek=52|access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref> Likewise, record sales made the album become Platinum in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.promusicae.org/files/listasanuales/canciones/Top%2050%20CANCIONES%20%20ANUAL%202008.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709223341/http://www.promusicae.org/files/listasanuales/canciones/Top%2050%20CANCIONES%20%20ANUAL%202008.pdf |archive-date=2013-07-09 }}</ref> The song's music video has over 5 million views on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IzfnhVLuuE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/8IzfnhVLuuE |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Nena Daconte: Tenia tanto que darte|date=25 August 2008 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
"El Aleph" (The Aleph) was Nena Daconte's second single for this album. The title of the song was based on the book written by Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges in 1949.
The videoclip for "El Aleph" aired on 26 February 2009. It was directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (director of ''The Impossible'' and winner of the 2008 ''Premio Goya'' for ''El orfanato'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2008/01/cultura/goya/nominados/bayona_juan_antonio.html|title = Premios Goya 2008 | elmundo.es}}</ref> and filmed at Barcelona's Meridiana district. This song reached the number 5 position in the Spanish billboard chart (40 principales).
The third single was "Ay! Amor" (Oh! Love) which came out almost simultaneously along with Nena Daconte's collaboration with Argentinian composer Coti in the song "Perdóname".
The ''Retales de carnaval tour'' featured more than 150 live shows throughout Spain, including performances at the Teatro Español<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jenesaispop.com/2009/05/26/nena-daconte-en-directo/|title = Nena Daconte en directo|date = 26 May 2009}}</ref> in Madrid and the Palacio de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona.
=== Una Mosca en el Cristal (2010) ===
In 2010, Nena Daconte released its third album titled ''Una mosca en el cristal'', produced by Alejo Stivel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/noticias/20101123/54074769498/mai-meneses-asume-sola-y-fuerte-ante-el-vendaval-el-timon-de-nena-daconte.html |title=Mai Meneses asume sola y "fuerte ante el vendaval" el timón de Nena Daconte |website=www.lavanguardia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816020439/http://www.lavanguardia.com/cultura/noticias/20101123/54074769498/mai-meneses-asume-sola-y-fuerte-ante-el-vendaval-el-timon-de-nena-daconte.html |archive-date=2013-08-16}} </ref> The single ''No te invite a dormir'' (I Didn't Invite You Over)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/por-que-no-te-invite-a-dormir-lo-nuevo-de-nena-daconte-protagonizara-del-40-al-1/nota/1339277.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> reached number 17 on the Spanish billboard charts (40 Principales).
In February 2011, ''Perdida'' (Lost) was released as the second single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/perdida-el-nuevo-single-de-nena-daconte/nota/1357592.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> On that same year, Nena Daconte started an acoustic tour throughout Spain under the name ''Nena Daconte Club''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.conciertos10.com/seccion/nena-daconte/ |title=Nena Daconte | Conciertos 2012 |access-date=2013-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312204408/http://www.conciertos10.com/seccion/nena-daconte/ |archive-date=2013-03-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Likewise, in late 2011, Nena Daconte participated on a tribute album for Antonio Vega, giving voice to the song ''Tesoros'' along with composer LA (native singer from Mallorca).
In 2012, Nena Daconte took a role in the single ''Pero si tu no estás'', which was the main theme and soundtrack of "La Fuga", a Spanish TV series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telecinco.es/lafuga/Nena-Daconte-interpreta-central-sonora_0_1344000058.html|title=Nena Daconte interpreta al tema central de la banda sonora de 'La fuga'|date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
=== Solo muerdo por ti (2013) === On 30 April 2013, Nena Daconte released in Spain their fourth studio álbum titled “''Solo muerdo por ti''”.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.chueca.com/musica/nena-daconte-creo-que-solo-muerdo-por-ti-es-mejor-disco-que-he-hecho-nunca.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-09-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617000047/http://www.chueca.com/musica/nena-daconte-creo-que-solo-muerdo-por-ti-es-mejor-disco-que-he-hecho-nunca.html |archive-date=2013-06-17 }}</ref> It was recorded in Madrid at estudios Sonobox and produced by Manuel Colmenero and Jabibu Carretero (Vetusta Morla, Eladio y los seres queridos).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.popelera.net/nena-daconte-cuarto-disco-solo-muerdo-por-ti/|title=Nena Daconte publica su cuarto disco, 'Sólo muerdo por ti' | Popelera|date=30 April 2013}}</ref>
The album contains 13 new songs<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/nena-daconte-tiene-nuevo-disco-solo-muerdo-por-ti/nota/1536779.aspx|title=LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> (plus two more tracks in their digital edition), all composed by Mai Meneses. The album takes its title from the nursery rhyme that she composed for her son (track number 13).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jenesaispop.com/2013/04/24/nena-daconte-creia-que-despues-de-ser-madre-solo-podria-escribir-nonerias/|title=Nena Daconte: "Creía que después de ser madre sólo podría escribir ñoñerías"|date=24 April 2013}}</ref> On the same day of its debut, ''Solo muerdo por ti'' became number 1 in sales in iTunes Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/s%C3%B3lo-muerdo-por-ti/1445700236|title=Sólo Muerdo por Ti de Nena Daconte|via=music.apple.com}}</ref>
According to Mai Meneses “''I feel that this album is more mature and I have meditated each phrase for almost two years… there is nothing left to chance, everything is measured: every lyric, step, there is lots of work''.<ref name="auto"/>”
As per the critics, the album is “''clear and direct''”. As for its sound, it is as genuine as the origins of Nena Daconte.<ref name="auto"/> The first single is title “''Dispare''” and it aired for the first time on 5 March 2013. The music video was recorded at the abandoned factory of Pegaso, at the outskirts of Madrid and produced by Zoo and SevenSenses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muzu.tv/nenadaconte/dispare-music-video/1812826/ |title=Nena Daconte - Disparé music video on MUZU.TV |website=www.muzu.tv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404234047/http://www.muzu.tv/nenadaconte/dispare-music-video/1812826 |archive-date=2013-04-04}} </ref>
=== Suerte ... (2019) === After living for some years in Dallas, Texas with her family, seeking rest and inspiration, she resumed her musical production.<ref>{{cite news|title=El regreso de Nena Daconte tras su desintoxicación vital y musical|url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/03/22/gente/1553265283_091481.html|work=El País|date=23 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019|issn=1134-6582|language=es|first=Maite|last=Morate}}</ref> In March 2019, the band´s fifth studio album, titled “Suerte”, was released, produced by well-known Spanish pop producer, Paco Salazar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2019/03/16/358101/nena-daconte-suerte/|title=Nena Daconte / suerte...|date=Mar 16, 2019|website=jenesaispop.com}}</ref> in Madrid, Spain. The album has 7 songs.
==Awards and nominations==
{| border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="top" class="sortable wikitable" |+ align="center" style="background:DarkSlateBlue; color:white"|<big>'''Awards & Nominations'''</big> ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Year ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Song ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Album ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Award |- |2006||''Entire album''||''He perdido los zapatos''||'' 2006 MTV European Music Awards Nomination'' |- |2006||''En que estrella estara''||''He perdido los zapatos''||''Number 1 song on Spanish Billboard Chart'' |- |2006||''En que estrella estara''||''He perdido los zapatos''||''Premio ONDAS'' |- |2006||''Entire album''||''He perdido los zapatos''||''40 Principales Award for Best New Band''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.los40.com/actualidad/noticias/mai-de-nena-daconte-en-portada-de-vanidad/nota/1294418.aspx|title = LOS40 - Todos los Éxitos}}</ref> |- |2006||''Entire album''||''He perdido los zapatos''||''Certified Gold record'' |- |2008||''Tenia tanto que darte''||''Retales de carnaval''||''Number 1 song on Spanish Billboard Chart'' |- |2008||''Entire album''||''Retales de carnaval''||''Certified Platinum record'' |- |2008||''Tenia tanto que darte''||''Retales de carnaval''||''Premio de la Música Award for Best Videoclip'' |}
==Singles==
{| border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="top" class="sortable wikitable" |+ align="center" style="background:DarkBlue; color:white"|<big>'''Singles'''</big> ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Year ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Song |- |2005||"Idiota (song)" |- |2006||"En qué estrella estará" |- |2007||"Marta" |- |2008||"Tenía tanto que darte" |- |rowspan=3 | 2009||"El Aleph" |- |"Ay! amor" |- |"Perdóname" (with Coti) |- |rowspan=2 | 2010||"No te invité a dormir" |- |"Perdida" |- |rowspan=3 | 2011||"Son niños" |- |"El halcón que vive en mi cabeza" |- |"Pero si tú no estás" |- |rowspan=2 | 2018 |"Amanecí" |- |"Mi Mala Suerte" |}
==Other projects==
{| border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="top" class="sortable wikitable" |+ align="center" style="background:DarkSlateBlue; color:white"|<big>'''Other Projects Involving Nena Daconte'''</big> ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Year ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Artist ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Song ! style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Record |- |2004||''Inma Serrano''||''Mi amor''||''Soy capaz y pequeñas joyas'' |- |2009||''Coti''||''Perdóname''||''Malditas canciones'' |- |2010||''Marta Sánchez''||''Soy yo''||''De par en par'' |- |2010||''Ana Torroja''||''Sueña'' (written by Mai Meneses)||''Sonrisa'' |- |2010||''Luis Ángel Segura (LA)''||''Tesoros''||''Tribute to Antonio Vega'' |- |2011||''Airbag''||''Tráiler''||''Manual de montaña rusa'' |- |2012||Soundtrack to TV series ''La fuga''||''Pero si tú no estás''||Soundtrack of ''La fuga'' |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051013061049/http://www.nenadaconte.com/ Official Site]
{{Operación Triunfo}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2006 Category:Spanish musical groups