THE SANTO DOMINGO CHICAGO CONNECTION IN PARTYWATCHER’S DEBUT ALBUM

“To me, the ideal definition of being American represents the values of hard work and determination in order to overcome obstacles to create opportunities for myself and my family.” - Jochy Saldivar “partywatcher”

Dominican artist, partywatcher, just debuted the single, “Si Tu Te Vas,” a preview track from his upcoming EP, MORENO. From the sound of this single, there’s no doubt that being surrounded by Caribbean music, as well as pop and R&B hits from the 80s and 90s, have influenced partywatcher’s interpretation of Latine music.

Jochy Saldivar, the man behind the partywatcher moniker, is based in Logan Square and was kind enough to answer some questions for ROC Magazine. I thought it was important to speak with someone who hasn’t lived their entire life in this country and ask about their perspective on nationalism for this issue.

partywatcher, who doesn’t shy away from using his songwriting to shed light on topics that are personal to him, like mental health challenges, answers our Q&A about music, life in Chicago after leaving his home in the Dominican Republic, and how we can best support his project.

Listen to “Si Tu Te Vas” while you read our conversation.

Tell me about your life before moving to Chicago?

I was raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At an early age, I became very active in the Dominican rock scene playing in many bands in diverse genres. In 2009, I decided to leave for Dallas, TX to attend school and major in the music business. That’s when the idea of partywatcher started to form and I played various open mics.

Where does your interest in music come from?

Without a doubt, my interest in music comes from my parents. Growing up, I had the best of both worlds. My mother would always play 80s pop and 90s R&B. My father would keep me in tune with my roots of Dominican music (bachata & merengue). It’s safe to say that partywatcher is a tribute to them.

How has being in Chicago affected your music, or has it? What has your experience been within Chicago’s music community?

It’s funny because I feel like I’ve grown to have a new appreciation for certain genres being here. I grew up a punk kid in my teens. Moving out here (I have some friends in that scene - La Armada) I reconnected with the punk genre that way. At the same time I gained a greater affinity towards Latin alternative and R&B. There’s just something about the vibes of the city neighborhoods that relate to the Latin alternative and R&B genres.

The city has 100% affected the sounds. Working on this new EP, you can imagine being in Chicago deep in winter with one song, then the next being set in a

more tropical vibe like back home.

What is something you thought about Chicago before moving here that turned out to be true or untrue?

Before moving here I always heard how this was the Windy City and boy that is no joke! Completely not prepared for the winter. I also had people tell me how similar the city is to NYC which I found to not be the case. We got that Midwest love out here, the people are so nice!

What are some of your music goals?

I have many goals as partywatcher. The biggest of them all is to be able to constantly drop new music and content and to be able to perform live as much as we can. I truly believe that our live show is a unique experience unto itself and would love to see more opportunities come our way. Ruido Fest, you got my number hahahah.

What are some of your favorite Chicago music venues?

As a performer, it’s definitely Sleeping Village. Everyone there is so good to us and the vibe of their stage is perfect for what we try to bring each time out. Shouts out to them.

As a spectator, I enjoy the Riv. I’ve been to many shows there and love how intimate that big venue can be.

What do you think of the current state of Latin music in Chicago (and in general)?

The scene keeps growing, more venues are opening their doors to Latin acts of all genres. Having festivals dedicated to us like Ruido Fest is a game-changer as well.

We are living in a time where people, no matter what their language or background is, are vibing to songs in Spanish and in Spanglish. The sky’s the limit from here on out.

What do patriotism/nationalism mean to you?

It’s a complicated answer. I do feel proud of where I come from and the places I call home, but still able to see the injustices and problems that surround us in those same settings. I like to say that I practice conscious patriotism.

How would you define being ‘American’ and/or how do you define ‘America’?

It seems like the word has gained a negative context in the last few years. I would say America is a place dependent on who you are and what you believe, opportunities vary. To me, the ideal definition of being American represents the values of hard work and determination, in order to overcome obstacles to create opportunities for myself and my family.

What is your process for creating music - do you write lyrics first or do you think of the sound first, etc, etc.

It depends. Every song starts out differently. Sometimes I’ll have something written down and not come up with music for it until months afterward and vice versa. With the new songs for MORENO, all came out at the same time. All the songs are very beatoriented. I came up with drums in the demo process first and everything else came afterward.

What is the best way people can support your music?

The best way is to follow partywatcher on your platform of choice and share them with your friends. “Si Tu Te Vas” is available on all streaming platforms and you can follow us on Instagram, FB, and Twitter.

I just released “Si Tu Te Vas” which serves as the first single off of my debut EP called MORENO, which will be out later this year. Any sharing and listening helps!

WRITTEN BY SANDRA TREVIÑO PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY ARTIST

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