Minero Magazine Fall 2024

Vol. 39, Fall 2024

The University of Texas at El Paso

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ON THE COVER

Director Veronica Gonzalez Assistant Director/Editorial Adviser Crystal Hinga Accounting Specialist Isabel Castillo

More Minero:

Administrative Assistant Amy Bocanegra

story by Yoali Rodriguez. photos by annabella mireles.

Minero Magazine is published by UTEP students through the department of Student Media and Publications. It is published once every fall and spring semester. The magazine is not responsible for any claims made by our advertisers. Additional policy information may be obtained by calling Student Media and Publications at (915) 747- 5161. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the University.

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W

itnessing art is inevitable when living in a magical place such as the borderland.

In my eyes, the Sun City is more than just a Border town, it is a mix of two worlds colliding and cultivating a culture of its own that has given me a chance to build a personal relationship with different forms of art. Throughout my life, I have always felt connected to the arts and the purpose behind this issue was to build a conversation that embraced the beauty of it.

For my second and last issue of Minero Magazine, I wanted to honor the colorful artistic culture the border offers.

As our city continues growing, I believe it is important to acknowledge the new generations of “creative renaissance” that have flourished from within our city.

Dominique Macias introduces readers to the controversy and evolution of traditional Chicano tattoo culture through the eyes of professional artists. Meagan Garcia dips into the world of diversity within cinematography, highlighting the mission of the film organization Femme Frontera and the importance of the undiscovered voices that live among us.

Next, the cover story, I wanted readers to see the growth of the fashion scene in El Paso,

introducing the successful young team behind the local designer brand Gaucin Couture. H.Catching Marginot writes about the stories of rising local musicians and exploring how the Sun City has inspired their love for music.

As the final magazine and love letter to my younger self, leading this publication has become the perfect peak of my career as a college journalist. I wanted this body of work to share my passion for creation. I will be endlessly grateful to be part of a publication that has let my creativity shine.

I want to dedicate this issue to my team who have made it possible. To my support system and guidance, Veronica Gonzalez and Crystal Hinga, thank you for believing and gifting me the job of a lifetime. To Isabel Castillo and Amy Bocanegra, thank you for every smile and the kindness you have given me. To my team of writers and photographers: Iziah, Catching, and Dominique, I am grateful for all your patience and hard work you each have set into this magazine. To my editors: Annabella, Meagan, and Paulina, I am in awe of all of you and I thank you for the friendship and support you have given me throughout these years. To my art director Abril, you have been my biggest gift and I thank you for making my dreams come to life, it was an honor to collaborate with you. You are a star.

Le quiero agradecer a mi familia por siempre empujarme a ser yo misma y apoyarme en mi carrera. A mis papás por creer en mí y en mis metas incondicionalmente. A mi hermana, por ser el apoyo más grande e inspiración en la vida, por ti me convertí en la mujer que soy. Y a Pedro, por siempre empujarme y darme la esperanza de seguir cada uno de mis sueños.

And to you, our readers, this issue comes directly from the hearts of the Minero Magazine team.

It was an honor,

Editor-in-Chief 4

T

he buzzing sound of the needle that leaves a permanent mark of ink is an art that many use to tell a story on their bodies. Throughout generations, El Paso has been the homeland for Chicano(a)s. Chicano people are native or descendants from Mexico that live in the United States. From their pride to their soul, clothes, jewelry, hair, and tattoos, this culture is full of symbols of self-representation.

CULTURE With a black and gray shaded rosary wrapped around her arm falling to the cusp of her thumb and index finger, Chicano and Realism tattoo artist, Linda Tirre, from Covetous Ink explains how tattoos are Chicano culture.

“I see it as a belief. My clients get the tattoo in the hope that things will get better and seeing it gives them that extra strength to keep going,” Tirre says.

Chicano tattoos are not just an aesthetic, but they are stories of life, heart and character. It doesn’t say everything you need to know about a person, but it says enough to ask more about who they are.

“THE olDEr gENERATION wITh ChicANo tATs, THEy wiLL say THEy symbolize trOUbLE (“gANg RElATED”).

But now, ChicANo tATTOos ARe REpREsENTED AS STORyteLLINg -wHAt THE pERsON wENT thrOUgh, OR THE REpREsENTATION OF a family membER.” - LINDA TIRRE The beauty deeply webbed in Chicano tattoos is they are for the Chicano(a)s because they are by Chicanos. They are endowed in black and grey ink, bold and distinctive with identity. When they are viewed, they are almost too striking, daring you to not look away.

As a portrait of a Pachuca fits precisely into his neck, one angle away from the word “Artista” on the back of his neck, it is the almighty holding Omar Orozco up. Realism/ Chicano artist at Sanctum Tattoo explains the Chicano significance.

“It’s because of the borderland and our families were pioneers of the culture we like to keep alive, and we can represent that through art. Also known as the Pachucos that landed El Paso, the nickname, Chuco town,” Orozco says.

He says Chicano culture and its tattoos are loud, but do not need to be shouted to be heard or need to make a scene to be seen. It is a representation of Chicanos, and throughout history, it is finally time to showcase what that title means through art and ink.

STyLE Chicano culture isn’t much without its signature style. The tattoos are shaded heavily with each stroke of the tattoo machine speaking intense truth to its identity and purpose.

It is not just lowriders on backs or bold last names across the chest. It is more than that.

It starts with the history of Chicano tattoos, which Orozco explains that its origin was in prisons.

“They watered down black to develop a grey scale. From there it’s just evolved with all the new technology and machines to get to the next level. All black and grey, portraits, realism, all evolved from Chicano style- The “Gangster” style,” Orozco said.

TESY O “There is the traditional black and grey Chicano art like “day of the dead girl, crosses, skull candies, prayer hands, Jesus Christ, Lady of Guadalupe and Pachuco(a)s portraits and much more,” Tirre said.

EN ST

CIL

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He says Chicano style tattoos have evolved and will continue to evolve. It is the realism and portrait style tattoos you see now that are so intricate.

Still, the past, present and future of Chicano tattoos are all intertwined in the matter of how well and how far the style, execution and its impact of where Chicano style will be in the next five years or the next century.

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STigma Picture this: a Chicano man with stories and art on his body, walks into a bank, job interview or even a gas station and, they feel the air get sucked out of the place because people start shifting their weight and making the space uncomfortable while watching carefully every move of a tattooed ticking time bomb; the feeling of alienation is an understatement.

The truth is, that scenario could have happened back in the 70s, yesterday or three years from now no matter the status, class or gender of the tattooed.

Orozco said he personally had never gotten into a predicament because of his Chicano tattoos. He explained he aims to flip the narrative and stigma surrounding ethnic tattoos.

Tirre also shares her input on how to not stare but ask a person about their tattoos.

“I would just say, don’t judge a book by its cover, there could be a meaning to that tattoo, all you can do is ask. We don’t bite,” Tirre said as she laughed.

“IT’s aLL FOR THE ARt AND THE cultuRE. We’RE pREsERvINg IT by kEEpINg IT AROUND AND aliVE...

I HAVE cliENTs THAt ARe docTOrs, lawyERs AND law ENFORceMENt THAt aLL now wEAr THEir (ChicANo) ARt prOUdly.”

- OMAR OROZCO 8

The more we are afraid of changing the conformed and traditional mindsets on how society views tattoos that have been set through generations, the more that scenario keeps getting rewritten with the same pen, by the same minds, in the same redundant times.

Next time an outsider finds themselves staring at the person with a tattoo of five Pachucas on their arm, or a Chicano realism piece of the Virgin Mary on their neck- take a picture, it will last longer or simply ask and never assume their story. Chicano tattoos are explicit, thunderous and dignified. Yet, it’s always the loudest person that makes an uproar because they dislike them coded as misunderstanding of the culture.

Traducido pOR Yoali Rodriguez

L

a cultura de los tatuajes Chicanos está llena de ideales falsos, manteniendo una narrativa de que no merecen un lugar en la categoria de tatuajes artísticos. Hay personas con prejuicios que al ver a los Chicanos con sus tatuajes generan un juicio sin saber el transfondo de sus historias.

Chicanos, especialmente en El Paso, tienen muchas raíces en la música, cinematografía y arte como los tatuajes que reflejan parte de la historia de nuestra ciudad y cultura.

Artistas de tatuajes, Linda Tirre y Omar Orozco dedican su arte a mantener los tatuajes Chicanos vivos en la frontera. Ellos han tratado de normalizar este tipo de arte cultural, mencionando que durante sus carreras han visto como estos tatuajes han evolucionado en su significado. Tirre dice que en un principio los tatuajes Chicanos se utilizaban para designar a que pandilla pertenecían, hoy en día, estos tatuajes son utilizados por la mayoría para representar sus historias, religión, cultura y familia. Orozco menciona que ha visto movimientos como el realismo que han impactado diseños de tatuajes Chicanos, inclusive hay algunos que asemejan una fotografía e incluyen colores.

Ante esta situación de estereotipos, Tirre propone una alternativa la cual consiste en tomar el interés para conocer la historia de tras de estos tatuajes en vez de crear algún prejuicio.

Omar Orozco is a Chicano and Realism tattoo artist from Sanctum Tattoo.

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WRITER

MEAGAN GARCIA

PHOTOGRAPHER

L

a frontera es rica en cultura y talento, y el cine está rápidamente ganando terreno en la escena creativa. Adaptaciones de libros o cómics como “Aristotle y Dante Descruben Los Secretos Del Universo” o “Blue Beetle” están ambientadas en El Paso y han sido ampliamente reconocidas por el público de todo el país. Una organización que también está tratando de crear espacios en la industria para los cineastas Latinos es Femme Frontera.

Un grupo compuesto principalmente por mujeres, personas LGBTQIA+ o no binarias cuyo objetivo es centrar sus experienciasen regiones fronterizas.

El grupo ha realizado múltiples shows que resaltan estas voces y tocan temas muy importantes a través del arte del cine. Hay historias de curación, desamor, feminidad, vida fronteriza y luchas queer, cada una modelada desde una perspectiva o experiencia personal única.

Gran parte del equipo también tiene talentos específicos y se concentra en su trabajo

IZIAH MORENO

para ayudar a amplificar el mensaje de cada una de sus cortometrajes.

Si bien hay muchas personas involucradas en la organización, hay dos personas de esta región que han causado sensación con su trabajo y han ayudado a cambiar la escena cinematográfica local. Co-directora y gerente de apoyo a artistas de Femme Frontera, Ryan Rox y la co-directora de participación comunitaria y coordinadora de giras, Jaqueline “Jackie” Barragán.

“Femme Frontera nació de la necesidad de representar en la industria cinematográfica la voz de las mujeres, personas de género NO binario, transgénero y específicamente voces Latinas e Indígenas”.

- Jaqueline Barragán La representación es algo poderoso en el mundo, no sólo puede inspirar a las personas a ver rostros e historias como las suyas en la pantalla grande, sino que también puede educar a las personas sobre la belleza de ciertas costumbres y culturas. Estas también pueden corregir cualquier ideologias que sean erróneas, negativas o peligrosas.

“Nuestra ex directora ejecutiva, Angie (Tures), siempre menciona el ataque ocurrido en Walmart en El Paso como ejemplo amargo de lo importante que es la falta de representación de la comunidad Latina en la frontera”, Rox dice. “Los puntos de vista extremistas suceden por como nos reflejan las noticias y 11

El mensaje que muestran estas historias toca muy de cerca a Rox, quien también aceptó su identidad de género debido al aumento de medios que retrataban positivamente la homosexualidad y transición de género, sin las narrativas dañinas que han sido normalizadas por algunos hombres cisgénero en Hollywood.

El trabajo realizado por Femme Frontera ayuda a mejorar y cambiar el cine en la zona fronteriza, han ofrecido sistemas de apoyo los cuales se traducen en oportunidades de aprendizaje.

lo has hecho (cinematografía) antes, es lo que te hace una persona única y nos interesa oír tu historia por que tiene que ser contada”.

- Ryan rox El cine en la zona fronteriza continúa creciendo bajo la guía de personas como Barragán, Rox, Góngora y grupos como Femme Frontera. Para enfatizar la importancia de las historias en torno a la vida fronteriza, las mujeres y las voces queer estas han creado un entorno saludable y seguro.

Mariana Góngora, co-directora y ex becaria del laboratorio documental de Femme Frontera describe cómo contribuye a este trabajo.

“Fui la primera becada del laboratorio documental en Femme Frontera,” Góngora explica. “De ahí se me dio la oportunidad para trabajar como la representante de la frontera por esta beca. Ahora a las nuevas becadas se les han ofrecido quince mil dólares más en fondos para campañas de mentorías que han tenido un impacto social y comunitario de una manera que no se esperaba, pero ya se está logrando”.

Según un artículo del 2022 de la Universidad Estatal de San Diego, solo el 22% de las mujeres ocupan espacios cinematográficos en las 250 películas más taquilleras. En un artículo de Hollywood Reporter del 2023, solo el 5.5% de los personajes que hablan en la pantalla son Latinos o hispanos.

Rox se suma a este proyecto con la esperanza de alentar aún más a las personas que encajan en estas identidades que quieran dedicarse a la cinematografía.

“No importa si tienes una capacidad diferente, eres una persona de color, o nunca 12

Translated by Meagan Garcia

E

l Paso is a city that is rich in culture and talent, with filmmaking quickly making its rise in the creative scene. Femme Frontera is an organization primarily comprised of women or non-binary individuals whose goal is to feature women or LGBTQIA+ experiences in border regions through short films.

The group has held multiple showcases that highlight these voices and touch on very important topics through the art of cinema.

There are stories of healing, heartbreak, womanhood, border life and queer struggles, each modeled from a unique perspective or personal experiences. Femme Frontera Artist Support Manager, Ryan Rox, and Director of Community Engagement and Tour Coordinator Jaqueline “Jackie” Barragan speak to what this group has done for filmmakers in the area.

Barragan said that the organization was born out the necessity for representation in the film industry due to the lack of female, non-binary, transgender, and Latinx and Indigenous voices being heard. Rox shares this sentiment, mentioning that if these communities do not tell their stories, misinformation in the media will prevail.

Filmmaking in the borderland continues to grow under the guidance of people like Barragan and Rox and groups like Femme Frontera. The goal is to help create stories and a safe space to showcase the reality of underrepresented communities.

Muses:

ieves Clouds N and larza Jesus Ga

[Top to bottom] Claudia "Clouds" Nieves and Jesus Galaza are the female and male muse for the brand GAUCIN Couture.

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WRITER

YOALI RODRIGUEZ

PHOTOGRAPHER

ANNABELLA MIRELES

S

exy, Futuristic, and Risk-Taking: Those are three words fashion designer Jose Gaucin expressed that encapsulated the aura of his brand GAUCIN COUTURE. From launching the brand from inside his bedroom to partaking in El Paso Fashion Weeks, the ‘GAUCIN effect’ has taken the Sun City by storm.

er:

ign Des

e Jos ucin Ga

Jose Gaucin is the owner and face of the brand GAUCIN Couture.

Starting his career as a designer at the ripe age of 16-years-old, Jose Gaucin began to pursue a fashion-filled life during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

“It all started in quarantine, I remember at the time I wanted to make these pants and I loved how they looked,” said Gaucin. “From there, I started making pieces that not everybody had.”

He says that his initial love for fashion had always been there, but by pushing his creativity into designing real pieces changed his life forever.

GAUCIN COUTURE made its debut in 2021 with the Autumn/Winter collection. His first line consisted of custom coats, pants, balaclavas, and even a cushioned purse inspired by traditional bandanas. As a designer, Gaucin has found himself drawn to create both couture and ready-to-wear lines that find a sweet spot between his unique sense of personal style and his Mexican heritage.

“I love to take a risk in everything I do clothing wise,” said Gaucin. “For sure it has helped me within my culture, like bringing Mexicans to high fashion.”

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Now at 19-years-old, Gaucin’s passion has allowed him to build relationships that have helped him grow his brand.

“I started becoming friends with people on and off, then we started dressing together, and I just became really close to them,” Gaucin said.

Presently his team is made up of a second seamster, two stylists, his female and male muses, and some trusted models.

Even though his creative mind is the motor of the brand, his team has fused into the DNA that runs the machine of Casa GAUCIN Couture.

Female muse and model, Claudia ‘Clouds’ Nieves has witnessed the growth of the brand since he first began to sell his

“We all love fashion, we live our fashion.”

- Jose Gaucin

original pieces on the website ‘Depop.’ She described how their relationship began when they used to model together for the local agency Bazaar.

“We were both assigned models, practiced our walks, and we became friends randomly one day,” said Nieves, “we began discussing our future goals for us getting involved in the fashion industry.”

Nieves mentioned how they felt an instant bond as they had similar desire to become a part of the business side of the industry. She described how in their four years of friendship the trust gradually grew through their creative drive.

The designer’s muses have helped him blur the lines between male and female silhouettes, cultivating a style that transcends the concept of gender. GAUCIN COUTURE has shed a spotlight and a fresh outlook that pays homage to punk and grungy culture.

“He was selling clothes [on Depop] and he told me he wanted to make clothes for me, and I was like I really want to see how I look in his stuff because his aesthetic was very new for me,” Nieves said. “I really saw something in his work that was really special to me, after that he would take photos of me every Sunday and it got to a point where all that I would wear, even now, I at least have to have one piece that’s his.”

Gaucin says that when he was sketching out and building designs, he maintained his essence by trying to create something he would personally wear.

The stylist, seamster, and model for the brand, Alexis Aleman, has collaborated with the designer since 2021 after also meeting each other through modeling.

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He mentioned how their natural bond for fashion was born through common tastes.

“A year into meeting each other, we had the same ideas, aesthetic, and kind of style in fashion,” Aleman said. “When I started buying pieces off him, I straight up asked him if I could be his stylist and ever since I’ve been working for Jose.”

Aleman mentioned that at the beginning of their professional relationship, Gaucin became a figure of mentorship for him that solidified a congruent creative eye between them for the brand.

“I would go over to his house for like two weeks straight and stay very late creating pieces,” Aleman said. “He would teach me some hack he does for sewing and easier ways on how to do everything.”

Aleman expressed the ‘GAUCIN effect’ opened a new renaissance for the fashion scene in El Paso. Since the brand’s recent growth in popularity, the pieces are now managed solely through online sales on their website, or physically in the downtown shop ‘IM NOVELTIES.’ He mentioned that they have been allowed bigger opportunities because of the influence of Gaucin.

Nieves stated the designer has dedicated himself to building an atmosphere that feels authentic to the fashion world by operating heavily on the front lines and behind the scenes.

She described Gaucin as the glue of the brand, creating an environment that mutually generated opportunities for each member of the team.

“We’re being led by a 19-year-old and it’s insane that we have managed to pull this much attraction in the time frame that we did, we get attention from very important people as a couple of kids from El Paso,” Nieves said.

The GAUCIN Couture designer expressed endless gratitude for the team that he watched flourish from his bedroom to ruling the local fashion scene.

“I believe that I contributed to help people express themselves within modeling and designers,” Gaucin said.

“But I thank my team so much for always being there and the passion they have.”

As of the brand’s launch in 2020, Gaucin has various runway events under his belt throughout El Paso and has collaborated with businesses such as IM NOVELTIES, Church Bar, and WHOLE LOTA DENIM to display his designs to audiences. The designer also plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to strengthen his talent as a designer.

J

ose Gaucin diseñador de El Paso, tomo la decisión de crear su propia marca durante la pandemia. En el 2020, el diseñador de apenas 16 años y tuvo el acierto de crear GAUCIN Couture.

ed by

Translat

Yoali z Rodrigue

El menciona que se encontró inspirado en crear piezas que reflejen su estilo provocador, alternativo y que honre su patrimonio mexicano. Actualmente a los 19 anos, la pasión del diseñador lo ha llevado crear amistades que lo han ayudado a crecer su marca. Gaucin expresa que ellos aman y viven su moda.

La familia GAUCIN Couture está conformada por un segundo costurero, dos estilistas, su musa femenina y masculina y algunos modelos confiables. Aunque el genio del diseñador se clasificaría como el motor de esta marca, su equipo se vuelto parte del ADN que impulsa la máquina de GAUCIN Couture.

Alexis Alemán, segundo costurero de la marca expresa que el diseñador introdujo un nuevo estilo en El Paso. Claudia Nieves, musa del diseñador, menciona como Gaucin se ha dedicado a crear una atmosfera autentica al mundo de la moda estando al frente de la marca, así como tras bambalinas. También se dedica a generar oportunidades para todo su equipo.

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[Left to right] Jessamine Lasala ("Apple pie"), Jezreel 'Jez' Lazala ("Sweetie Pie"), and Jasmine Lasala ("Honey Pie") are all part of the band The Pie Sisters.

WRITER 18

H. CATCHING MARGINOT

PHOTOGRAPHER

ANNABELLA MIRELES

T

he year is 1929. Pedro Flores, a Filipino immigrant, officially set up financing for his toy, the “yo-yo.” Big-time Chicago gangster Al Capone was arrested, and most notably, the United States stock market crashed, which would bring about the Great Depression. However, something else had occurred in the large border city of El Paso in the sweltering month of July.

Brothers Dempson and Denmon Lewis (the Lewis Brothers) traveled to El Paso to record four songs for the Victor Company in the old Baptist Church building. Denmon played the Washburn Guitar, and brother Dempson specialized in the Fiddle. The duo hit the scene with fast ragtime tunes in a ballroom. The recordings and activities of the Lewis Brothers are some of the first traces of music history in El Paso, Texas.

Now, in 2024, 95 years later, the music scene of El Paso has never been more diverse and ever-expanding, with many famous artists recognizing the magic of the 915. Through its hunger for live music local music venues have become bigger and more popular, nurturing and pushing the scene in a positive direction.

Julian Saucedo is a UTEP Pharmacy student and the keyboardist for the former Indie Rock band Melancholy 10, Minerpalooza’s 2022 Battle of the Bands winner.

“I use music to contextualize, enhance, and resonate with my emotions when I’m overloaded with work or enjoying the calm in between.” Saucedo said. “I remember watching my brother’s band play back in 2012 and recognizing how the song at the time evolved, and I still hear some of the local bands of today pay homage to the golden era of indie music.”

Saucedo spoke about his experience with Melancholy 10 in El Paso and the community’s response to their music.

“When Melancholy 10 was frequently playing shows in 2022, I saw many venues such as The Range, the Lowbrow, and 501 Bar & Bistro work collaboratively with the bands and vendors to help support their art,” Saucedo said.

He mentioned how 'The Battle of the Bands' brought awareness to local bands and gave the winners an opportunity to record their music at a studio.

As established musical acts of the borderland continue to flourish, the

local downtown music venues like Lowbrow Palace do as well. Lowbrow Palace was established in 2011 and has hosted much talent over the years and is uniquely known as the place where musicians are encouraged to play their own sound.

Ancient the Illfigure is an electronic Psych Rock band composed of Alex Huereca on vocals, David Valles on lead guitar, Luis Renteria on rhythm guitar, and Ricky Dominguez on drums. The band started when Huereca, fresh out of the military, was contacted by his friend and eventually temporary keyboard player and manager Albert to start a band. Like a fire to a tree, a team of talented strangers from all over the borderland area joined together, figuring out a sound they wanted to show El Paso and the world. One of their big songs, “Mauna Kea,” shows the creative strengths a band like theirs can bring, a sound with vibrant instrumentation and psychedelic-style vocals sprinkled about.

“I see ourselves like Freddie Mercury or Michael Jackson. They might have their rock theme, but every song is different,” lead guitarist Valles said. “Where you’re not seeing the same song over and over, we kind of make what comes out of all of us.”

Members like Renteria talk about growing up listening to the local station “95.5 KLAQ” with his father and how he started getting close to music in that genre. Huereca says the closeness of cities to El Paso and the idea of the border contributes to the music scene.

“I think coming from a border opens the doors for multiple influences.

I remember growing up listening to all these Spanish artists, but I also liked the Black-Eyed Peas on the same radio. We may not necessarily show it, but we’re a Mexican band, and we’re trying to embrace that as much as we can.”

- ALEX HUERECA 19

Julian Saucedo was the keyboarding for the former local band Melancholy 10.

Presently he is pursuing a solo artistic career.

Drummer, Ricky Dominguez, is a teacher from San Elizario. Dominguez speaks to the sound of the band and says he gains support from his students when performing at the competition.

“That’s the cool thing about the mixture of culture here at El Paso; we all blend in together and are accepting of all the different kinds of music here. I had some technical difficulties, but some of my students were there, and I threw my drumsticks at them. So, I hope we start releasing more cool stuff and put out what we think is our sound to people.”

As many bands in El Paso begin their musical journey, other bands have found success in the area and continue to put out their unique sound. There is no better example than this than the funk, soul, and R&B group the Pie Sisters. The Pie Sisters are a musical outfit composed of four sisters (oldest to youngest): Jezreel “Jez” Lasala (Sweetie Pie), Joanna Casillas (Cutie Pie), Jasmine Lasala (Honey Pie), and Jessamine Lasala (Apple Pie). The group, each nicknamed for their unique personality, shines with their beautiful acoustic harmonies and varied lyrical writing.

The group is from an immigrant family whose parents and the oldest sister, Jez, came from the Philippines. The rest of the family soon grew up in El Paso and were introduced to music through their local church with their dad.

Valles also spoke to the power of local music venues, like Lowbrow Palace.

“Music and the art scene are like the salt of the earth; they give taste to life and let you slow down a bit,” Valles said. Life is very fast-paced, and I feel like when you go to these venues and have new local music, you kind of just forget what’s going on in life.”

Although relatively new in creating their style and sound, the band knows the beautiful feeling of having their art connected with anyone whether on social media or locking eyes with someone feeling the groove at a live show.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Renteria said.

“With media, you’re getting exposure with people who aren’t even there, and people from New Mexico or Las Cruces can hear about you and say, hey, I’m going to check these guys out in El Paso. It’s an amazing feeling when you’re playing in front of people in person, and they’re catching the vibes.”

The band says their participation in the Lowbrow Palace “Battle of the Bands” competition was one that came with many technical difficulties throughout their performance, but even then, they still managed to lock down the house.

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They say with much practice and the idea to form a band, the Pie Sisters officially started their music journey in 2019 and fully kicking the band off in 2021, booking their first gig at an local artisan market.

Guitarist and singer Jez Lasala says the dynamic of having siblings as bandmates was unmatched because of their chemistry.

“They know all the major and minor details of your ins and outs, so when doing something as personal as music that requires extreme vulnerability, it allows us to tap into our individual vulnerabilities and lets us connect in that manner.”

The sisters’ sound is ever-changing as they experiment with style and genre-blending.

They also emphasize the lyricism of their songs.

“Our music and tastes are everchanging, but a lot of it is lyricism,” Jez

TRADUCIDO POR YOALI RODRIGUEZ

Lasala said. “We started off acoustic from the beginning, and connecting with other incredible musicians has only enhanced and highlighted what we love, so R&B songwriting is our wheelhouse right now.”

The Pie Sisters know that although sharing art with an audience is essential, it’s also important not to be disingenuous. The band knows their success is partly due to their incredible fans and appreciates the El Paso community.

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“El Paso has been underestimated for a number of years. They see hubs like Austin, Houston, and Dallas. I honestly think because of years of progression as people come and grow, we are getting a myriad of cultures and heritages that aren’t just the borderland.”

Julian Saucedo, estudiante de la escuela de Farmacología en UTEP fue ex tecladista de la banda Melancholy 10 del género indy-rock. En el tiempo que participo con la banda, Saucedo menciono que centros de eventos como The Range, Lowbrow Palace y 501 Bar apoyan a artistas locales.

- JEZ LASALA What connects all these bands in El Paso to the years past of the Lewis brothers is that the music stems from them.

Regardless of recognition, they play because that’s what their souls want, and through their music, they bring a community together. A borderland community whose heart will never lose its flame for local musical art.

[Left to right] Alex Huereca, Luis Renteria, and Ricky Dominguez are all members of the band Ancient the Illfigure.

difusión y diversidad de la música de El Paso representa y ofrece un espacio a varios artistas locales guiando la escena musical en una dirección positiva. a

La banda local de rock psicodélico, Ancient the Illfigure está compuesto de Alex Huereca vocales, David Valles guitarra, Luis Renteria guitarra rítmica y Ricky Dominguez en la batería. Renteria narra como creció escuchando “95.5 KLAQ” con su padre y esto influencio a acercarse al género de música que ellos tocan hoy en día.

La banda Pie Sisters dedican su música incorporando sonidos funk, soul y R&B. El grupo está compuesto de cuatro jovenes Jezreel “Jez” Lasala (Sweetie Pie), Joanna Casillas (Cutie Pie), Jasmine Lasala (Honey Pie), y Jessamine Lasala (Apple Pie). Jez Lasala menciona como El Paso se ha convertido en un centro cultural donde ritmos diferentes coexisten.

Lo que conecta a estas bandas es su pasión por la música. Aun reconocidos o no, ellos saben que tienen el respaldo de la comunidad fronteriza, ya que esta representa el alma de nuestra cultura.

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List of Words / Lista de Palabras

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