Luz Mendoza [Interview]

Today’s interviewee is a person who I have long admired, and have been wanting to have featured on the site since the inception of Trainwreck’d Society. Luz Mendoza is an absolute genius in the world of indie folk that I have held to such a high accord for so long, and have been covering since my early days as a lowly music blogger, all the way up until now during my days as a lowly music and film blogger. She has a perfectly apt and brilliant ability to sincerely write the fuck out of a song. That is without a doubt her strongest trait. Throw on top of that a brilliant set of vocals and a being a powerhouse musician, she is the real deal people.

As I said before, I have been watching this amazing musician grow so much over the years, and have been lucky enough to indulge in every amazing Y La Bamba project she has given to the world. Each and every completed work that Luz has consistently been the best work of that given year. The singular track “Fasting In San Francisco”, now several years old at this point, is still registered as a classic in my personal listening songbook. I seriously cannot say enough great things about this amazing artist.

So, I will simply just shut up, and let you enjoy some amazing words from the great Luz Mendoza! Enjoy!

When did you decide you wanted to join the world of artistic expression? And has music always been your focus when it comes to creating your art?

My expression has never felt like a desicion I made, but rather a decision to embrace the fact that I have been in the world of artistic expression, aka sharing vulnerability. Music has been a large focus on how I create and move energy, as well as other things that extend from that such as my visual and performance art projects and social activism.

And when did Y La Bamba come into play? If you are so kind, can you give us a little background on this amazing band/project that you have been curating for all of these years?

The band started as myself in 2006. I brought a band together and since then its been a on going colaboration with friends and other talented musicians that I have had the honor of playing with as I keep growing in my expression.

As a mastermind behind the craft of beautiful songwriting, I am curious to know some things about your process. Mainly: how do you know when you a song is complete? Is there an exact moment or feeling you are looking to experience to know that a song is complete?

Songs are conversations that change and evolve as we go that or nor complete or limited. I like to encourage creative freedom with others.
I expierence that feeling of freedom when I let go of the pre conceived pressure around finishing a song.

Speaking of beautiful songs, you wrote a song that has remained at the top of my hypothetical “single’s list” since I first heard it, entitled “Fasting In San Francisco”. I still have it in rotation to this day. Would you be able to give us a little insight into this track? Where did the idea for this lovely track come from?

What a flash back! that song was written when I was so sick  10 years ago in my room learning how to record myself for the first time as I was listening to Laura Gibson, and Coco Rosie and Violeta Parra.

I was in a place of surrender, and that song is the documentation of my growth. That reflection is so important to me. It was about love and war the innocence behind my healing.

You have been working with our old friends at Tender Loving Empire for quite some time as well, releasing 5 wonderful records, including your latest entitled Ojos del Sol. So how did you manage to team up with Jared & Co. to create such amazing art together? And what keeps you working with TLE after all of these years?

Tender Loving Empire have been my Rock through out the years.
I love them dearly and support them.

Y La Bamba live @ Picakthon 2012, photographed terribly by yours truly, this is Luz and my OG blogging inspiration Ben Meyercord, a.k.a. half of Y La Bamba in 2012.

It has been 5 years since I last saw Y La Bamba, live at Pickathon in Happy Valley, Oregon. I understand you were just there again this last summer? So how did it go? And what is it about Pickathon that keeps you coming back?

I have always loved Picathon they are good to there people and the environment. I love going back and sharing those moments with friends. We played a couple of shows. There were definitely some moments where i felt ex seen and heard in my cultural identity as a latina female in this day in age then before it was however still a reminder of how out numbered women of color are in the music industry over all and often mis interpreted or un heard. It was nice to have productive conversations about things that have made me feel marginalized for years.

Pickathon tends to be a large scale event.  But, you have also done some more low key and intimate shows. Do you enjoy the large scale with packed audiences, or the intimate showings? 

I am sensitive to any crowd.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers? 

My future as an artist is using my medium to connect and grow and heal because we really really really need eahother right now and not get into the petty overly self righteous culture that isolates us from compassion and understading.

I will hopefully record a new something something soon.

I am on a journey this year to also tour with Hijos De La Montaña in Europe.

I anticipate a lot more un expected but predictable social changes and I am trying to stay strong for myself and my community. I recorded an EP on cassettes called Red Earth in which all proceeds go to Adelante Mujeres a non profit that provides holistic education and empowerment oppurtunities to low income latina women. Below are some links and would love to encourage everyone in donating to this organization! Its so key to reach out to your community and arriving with support because help is needed.

http://adelantemujeres.org

https://tenderlovingempire.com/pages/generous

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Awe I smiled at this amazing white fluffy dog this morning! that looked like  it came from another planet. As it was crossing the street it seemed like it was floating right by. Like that moment in that movie where everything slows down when the most beautiful angelic thing you have ever seen is passing right by you.

It reminded me of life.