Hi my name is Carmina Vanessa Gonzalez or you can call me Carmina. I'm 17 years old and currently a Senior. I've been in the Music Industry for about 3 years but just recently started taking it seriously. I love all music genres, but I personally sing Pop, Rock, or Tejanas.
A solo music project by guitarist and songwriter Esteban D. Espinoza, currently based in Boston, MA
Just moved to Austin to the summer to get my music out there in the world. Been a closet writer for 4 years but now I'm finally ready to spread my wings and show everyone what I can do!
My family was always very musically inclined because my parents and siblings had a church band, though I love the church, I was never into church music. I stuck to photography, making videos, and graphic art. I loved Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, System of a Down, and Metallica. I wrote poems and post them on social media and people would ask "what song is that?". I thought the words were too dark to put in any song but when I heard people like Lil Peep, XXXTentacion, and Juice WRLD, I thought I can make something completely different but still give the same feelings those songs did for me. I saw what they did to me, they inspired me to express myself and create. Now I combine my visual talent with my ability to create music to try to hit all the senses. To put others in my head, one song, one album cover, one music video at a time. All at once. I'm glad I was also able to inspire some close friends to make music of their own, as well as some people who tell me my music helped them cope with feelings they kept to themselves as I did, and to even express it. That's my goal, to inspire.
By Victoria Canales
Happy Make Music Day! This morning, Mayor Pete Saenz made an official proclamation for June 21st to be designated Make Music Day (and he put on a great show for us as well). As the festivities continue, Laredo Music Scene will be co-hosting a live music event at Frontera Beer Garden tonight, and we’ll be joined by the talented Drew. H. We sat down with him this week to talk about his upcoming shows and how he built his self-confidence.
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What have you been up to? Any new music on the way?
I’ve just been at my friend’s house, recording new material, and just getting ready for the show in July! As for new music, there’s for sure going to be new music coming soon. I just want to make sure that the timing is perfect and that it’s solid for release. There’s definitely going to be a new song coming out soon though, and I’m actually gonna perform it live on Monday and in the [Artist of the Week] video.
You mentioned working with your friend. Do you like to collaborate often?
For sure. It honestly feels like I have a team! Like, I can record at my house, but my friend produces. We’re really in sync and we have the same idea of what we want to do. When we work, he usually chooses the vibe, since we both think that it’s best for producers to be the ones running the night. My friends are honestly a great help; I recorded the [AOTW] videos at my friend’s crib.
Why did you decide to put together the “internet friends” show?
Well, I really like throwing shows. This is probably my tenth show that I’ve thrown, and I have to say, this is also probably my favorite lineup. I mean, I’m pretty close to like 90% of the lineup, so it’s cool to work with them. I think this lineup is really unique with a lot of different vibes going on, like rap, R&B, pop, all that. And it’ll be my first time seeing some of these artists play live!
What was your journey to self-confidence in music like?
The most important thing was putting myself out there, getting my foot in the door. Honestly, just start! I once heard a quote that went like, “for creatives, 90% of the battle is just putting yourself out there, and actually being creative is the other 10%.” If you don’t start, you’re never going to know what your potential is. In my case, I’ve had to deal with a lot of vocals, a lot of takes, a lot of rough mixes, and it can get tiring. But it shows that I was willing to go the extra mile to do what I need to do.
What are your musical goals? Do you plan on staying in town or moving out?
I’m actually going to move to San Antonio in August! It’s definitely going to be a new experience. And I do feel like music is going to be a career for me. I mean, over there, I can do a lot with audio engineering, and I’ll be able to collaborate with other people and other studios. Regardless of what happens, I know music is going to be a career for me. It’s going to be awesome.
By Victoria Canales
“There’s nothing to do in Laredo.”
It’s a sentiment most of us have heard and said countless times, and it’s a statement most of us believe to be true. Sure, Laredo doesn’t have nearly the amount of people, events, and businesses that nearby cities like San Antonio or Austin do, but is it really accurate to say that there’s nothing to do in Laredo? As in, nothing at all?
I’m going to go ahead and argue that there’s plenty to do here. In the past few weeks, there have been live music events at Cultura Beer Garden and Frontera Beer Garden, and the Farmer’s Market has presented yummy and healthy foods for us to try. Our friends at Wonderlounge just opened the place up, and Phoenix Bookstore had a visiting author. Gloria’s Coffee Bar had its soft opening at Golondrina, Los Olvidados has continued its “Coffee and Tarot” Thursday night series, and Laredo Center for the Arts does its “Art & Yoga” event every Saturday in June.
You know what’s missing at these events, though? People. Because of either a lack of promotion or city-wide apathy, there are always fewer people at these events than we’d like. People in Laredo are begging for something to do, but they aren’t coming out and supporting local vendors, musicians, venues, artists, writers, bookstores, coffee shops, libraries… the list goes on.
And believe me, I know what it’s like to live in a bigger city. I’m a student at UT Austin and spend most of my year going to concerts and hanging out downtown with my friends, rarely going to the same place twice. I know Laredo has the same potential for great nights out and calm mornings in, but we need to support the people and places that are trying to make things happen.
Next time you catch yourself lamenting that “there’s nothing to do in Laredo,” check your Instagram, Facebook, or local music blog for a fun way to spend your Friday night!
