It's Hispanic Heritage Month, and KVRX is enthused to celebrate with...you guessed it: a show! Our Hispanic Heritage Month Showcase is TOMORROW NIGHT (10/10) at Chess Club, which is in the heart of the Red River Cultural District. Doors open at 8 pm, and you won't wanna miss it!
To learn more about the performers, read their interviews below.
AILA
9:00pm
What is the best way to describe your sound?
The best way to describe my sound- I'd say it blends acoustic pop, indie rock, some jazz chords, atmospheric synths, and contemporary production, all driven by energetic drums infused with subtle Latin rhythms. My aim is to create music that feels raw and immersive.
How long have you been making music?
I've had an on-and-off relationship with music since my first interaction with it as a child. Whenever I was apart from it being so because of circumstances or else, it still never left my life- I was always daydreaming about creating something meaningful with this passion. However, it wasn't until THAT year, 2020 that I was able (because of isolation) to submerge myself into the depths of my soul and begin creating my own music. At that moment, just me and my guitar, soon after I started to become interested in music production which led me to learn a bit about it.
What is a recent project you have been working on?
I've been working on finishing my first EP, "Tragedy is the art," which I began releasing at the start of the year, and will culminate with the release of the final song at the end of November. At the same time, I've also been developing a new chapter in the exploration of my sound, aiming to experiment with different sounds, genres, words, and beats.
What is your favorite part about the Austin music scene?
The Austin music scene has this incredible sense of community and support, There's a rich diversity in styles and genres, and everyone seems genuinely excited about discovering and sharing music. I just love how open the city is to the new sounds and the way artists from all backgrounds are embraced.
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced the music you make or made you the performer you are today?
My Hispanic heritage is an integral part of who I am and naturally flows into my music. Growing up with all these figures of the Mexican musical scene that I admire shaped my music taste and work as an inspiration every time I do music, not only about the sound, but also about the way I want my listeners to feel when they hear my music. Somehow the Latin rhythms find their way into my songs adding these representative textures and beats to it.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
I'd like readers to know that my music is a reflection of who I am at my core, constantly growing, searching, and transforming. I believe in creating songs that not only tell my story, but also resonate with those who listen, offering them a safe space to feel, reflect and connect. I'm passionate about pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to express emotions, and I would love to inspire others to embrace their own journey and experiences.
Our sound is steeped in the modes and traditional sounds and rhythms of classic, popular Afro-Cuban-Colombian dance styles of the early and mid-20th Century, but naturally, informed by our upbringing in regional styles like Mexican folkloric music, Tejano/Tex-Mex, and also African and Caribbean music, Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk, Pop, Country and Rock-n-Roll.
When did you start making music, and how did you get into it?
I started singing at church at the age of four, and, much like many of my musical counterparts, started taking music lessons at home and playing in the school bands and orchestra by middle school, and on through high school and college. And I spent countless hours of my childhood at the stereo console, playing old vinyl records and listening to the radio, getting into all sorts of music. I grew up in San Antonio, Texas in the 1970s-80s; so back then, live bands of all types were typically found at all the local family, neighborhood and community events - watching legendary, professional and inspirational musicians perform was an easily available and accessible experience. But the full-fledged start of my technical training for the singing conguero I became today took place out in the city streets, when I was in my late teens and early-twenties, learning and playing with other percussionists in public spaces like The Drag on Guadalupe Street, singing and playing for passersby.
What is a recent project you have been working on?
After the recent COVID and pandemic lockdown, the touring and recording with outside musical projects have largely, and only temporarily, paused. Since then I have lately been concentrating on hitting the stages with my group for live performances.
What is your favorite part about the Austin music scene?
The longtime working relationships and friendships I am lucky to share with many, many talented people working in and around this town’s local stage and show productions always bring me the good feelings that come from belonging to a league of like-minded artists that commit to being hard-working and solidly familial.
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced the music you make or made you the performer you are today?
Being Mexican and indigenous are at the core of my being. And having been born into that cultural heritage, experience, practice and perspective has allowed me to expand my learning experiences and explore and make a history of pathways in the art of making music. I hope others will see those creative efforts to be of unique effect and can view them as a positive and useful influence.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
Oh, yes, yes! We love and appreciate you! And the musicians with whom I am lucky to perform, are all creative and artistic geniuses, put on this good Earth to work their talents hard, for you to be entertained. I encourage you to support them with all your heart & soul, wherever you may see them playing! Thanks!
You can call our sound a lot things just not bad! Nah but we make indie alternativo regional Mexican music y está con madre cause we hit corridos, cumbias, and some real OG conjunto stuff but con sabor dream pop, psychedelic, and punk style tambien.
How/when did the group form?
Baldemar estaba chingue y chingue that he wanted to make Selena max demarco type beats so he reaches out to el werito Miguel Guzman to help him and y pos then our friends Eddy Longoria, Richie R!ch Boi Ramirez, el Frank Tovar y el Gibby Salazar wanted to help tambien and it just got outta hand!
What is a recent project you have been working on?
Al chile we've been working hard on a drinking song called “Otra Lata” pero its hard cause the lyrics pegan gacho y de repente somebody starts to cry in the studio. It’s worse live te lo juro.
What is your favorite part about the Austin music scene?
As much as we love Austin's progressive tendencies and niche interests, al chile the best part is that tiny smell of marihuanas everywhere…Picasso.
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced the music you make or made you the performers you are today?
Yes we blame our Hispanic heritage for why Juanos is like this la neta we’re tapping into all these identities as Tejanos, Chicanos, and Mexicanos; each time we drop a cumbia, sing a corrido, it's like a traditional but when we bust out the pedal power, the emo, the indie, lo nuevo, we see history come alive o algo asi
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
Yes; we want you to disfruta el momento con “MINIVAN’. Tu crushes new favorite party song coming out on October 10th, 2024 same night we play for the chess club perrillos! We also do weddings, quinces, and corporate parties.
TCM’s sound is basically the cumbias you’d hear at a carne asada, the songs that will get that tio dancing after taking a 10-second tequila shot.
When and how did this group form?
This group/movement was formed last year in 2023, and we did our first show at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard in March of last year. Nick Ulrich was the first to believe in us and give us a chance. Since then we’ve participated in many festivals including SXSW.
What is a recent project you have been working on?
Currently, our band leader released La Talibana - Dani EL LEON that gives a futuristic take on cumbia.
What is your favorite part about the Austin Music scene?
The inclusion of all peoples, that’s the best. We don’t have to seek out a specific group to bring our music to, it can be enjoyed by everyone and anyone!
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced the music you make or made you the performer you are today?
It extended our knowledge in music. Not only were we influenced by what’s on the radio, and what’s on the internet, but what our Spanish-speaking family listened to as well.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
We love cumbia and we let our musical performance demonstrate that. We guarantee you that one of our cumbias will make you dance!
