In the heart of Asunción, in the San Roque neighbourhood, Hernando Francisco Duré García was born, although most people know him simply as Nando Duré. With a playful smile, he often jokes that music keeps him young: “I am 51 years old, although many do not believe it. It must be the effect of music because it rejuvenates the soul,” he says with a laugh.
His love for music began in childhood. His parents often took him to traditional Paraguayan asados (barbecues), where musicians played boleros and folk tunes. Little Nando would clap after every song, completely enchanted. Seeing this, his father bought him his first guitar. That was the moment that changed everything. “From that day on, I never put the guitar down,” he recalls.
At the age of twelve, he discovered his true calling after watching the Burning Heart video by Survivor, from the Rocky IV soundtrack. “That energy struck me deeply. I realised that this strength could only come from rock. That was when I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to music.”
From EOS to Odisea: Finding his own voice
At sixteen, Nando joined his first band, EOS, in 1991. “It was wonderful because it was my first time on a big stage. We played at a major festival called Evolución 2000, organised by Radio Primero de Marzo,” he remembers. “However, it was also challenging because it was not my own band, so I did not have much say in the decisions.”
That early experience prepared him for what would come next. In 2003, he founded Odisea, a band that remains active more than twenty years later. “Odisea was born to bring back the classics that inspired us to become musicians,”
Although some dismiss cover bands, Nando firmly defends their artistic value. “When someone sings a Beatles song or performs a traditional Paraguayan polka, that is also a cover. It is paying tribute”. In 2016, Odisea released an album with original songs, proving that they could create as well as reinterpret.
Dangerous: A tribute to Roxette
After two decades performing with Odisea, a new idea emerged. Together with Simone Tavares, Nando formed Dangerous in 2022, a tribute band dedicated to Roxette.
“With Odisea, we used to play some Roxette songs and people loved them. Then someone suggested that we create a full tribute, and we thought it was a great idea.”
They chose the name Dangerous after one of Roxette’s biggest hits. “We gathered some amazing musicians, and from then on, everything clicked. Audiences tell us our interpretation sounds very authentic”.
For Nando, performing Roxette’s music is pure joy. “Their songs are timeless, and when we play them, something magical happens.”
Changes in Asunción’s music scene
Having started his career in the 1990s, Nando has witnessed major changes in Paraguay’s music scene. “Back then, rock was everything, but there were few ways to promote your music. There were only two television channels, and you had to be lucky to get invited to perform”.
Today, the internet has changed everything. “Now, anyone can record a video on their phone and show their work to the world”.
Yet, he acknowledges that the rock genre faces new challenges. “Commercially, rock is at a disadvantage because reggaeton and cumbia dominate the market. Still, social media provides opportunities that did not exist before. You no longer need a record label to reach people.”
Among his fondest memories are the tours across Paraguay and the connection with fans who truly love rock. However, not all experiences were positive. He recalls a charity event that turned out to be a scam: the organisers sold all the tickets and never appeared. “We felt cheated. Since then, we have been more careful about these things,” he admits.
Despite the ups and downs, Nando’s passion for music has never faded. “There is nothing that compares to seeing people enjoy what you do. No amount of money can buy that feeling”.
Nando Duré in the present and the future
Today, Nando balances his career as a dentist with his lifelong passion for music. He continues to perform with Odisea and Dangerous, keeping the spirit of classic rock alive. “As long as there is someone who wishes to listen, we shall keep playing”.
For him, music is not only a profession but also a way of life, a force that keeps him inspired, youthful, and grateful. “Music does not simply rejuvenate the spirit. Music gives life its meaning.”
