Jesse Santoyo » pilsen

Props.

jessesantoyo — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:20:11 +0000

As a new artist and songwriter in a new city it is highly important to learn the local culture. Not so much to conform to it but to be aware that there are tons of successful artists and writers who have created the local music scene. Many countless hours have gone into their craft of creating art and music for their city. I knew many people who spent time in Chicago going to shows only to critique the performance and ramble on about how much better they are. Don’t vibe with that tribe! Do the opposite! Head out and try a catch a few shows on a monthly basis to support your local talent and also network with them. Don’t be afraid to network and say “hey”. Once upon time they were just like you! Many will be open for conversations about the road, others just won’t. It is what it is. The key is…”PROPS!”

Give PROPS to those who have been out there writing and performing. PROPS to those who are grinding it out for the sake of passion. PROPS to those who have paved the way for new artists like yourself. Giving PROPS always returns to you 10-fold. Soon enough you’ll be put on a bill in your city to share what you have to say. My gut feeling says you’d love to sing and perform to a full room full of people supporting your musical journey, rather then a crowd of strong opinionated voices wondering why you are on stage and not them. Right?

Stay true to what you do. Your art will find it’s home.

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Lost in Nashville.

jessesantoyo — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:43:54 +0000

Sometimes I sit back and over analyze things. Sometimes I wonder if there is other Raza in East Nashville? Sometimes I look around the room at 3Crow and wonder what life is like for the strangers all around me. Are they singers, writers, actors? I always hear of all these picture perfect family trees. Father was a touring musician and now you happen to be a touring musician. Parents were both Doctors and now you are on your way of becoming a Doctor. Father was a Pastor and a preacher and now you inherited the pulpit. Or maybe you were given an inheritance worth 2 life times. My parents came to Chicago with the clothes on their back, worked in factories and city jobs just to make ends meet. They never really said I could be anything I put my mind to. They never really told me to dream. They never really knew I loved music till I was about 18. They did teach me one thing. It takes hard work and dedication to be successful at anything you put your mind to. Even tougher when you are a latino. Tough love was the only love I knew…

When I came to Nashville I was warned of the overwhelming amount of singers and songwriters that are here. I was told one of 2 things would happen, I will either work my tail off and become the best songwriter/artist I can be or I will quit. I knew I needed to be in a city where art and music flourishes and dreamers dream the impossible. I would be lying if i said I don’t get intimated by the amazing talent here in Nashville, but as a song writer myself, I believe I have something worth sharing thru my music. Something happens in a town like this though… You can easily be swallowed in the status quo culture that exists amongst a few. In Chi town that gets old, I am sure it does here to… You’re cool by who you know and not so much by what you can offer. I realize that sometimes you need to know the right people to enter the music ent/social pipeline but I truly believe the best ground work for a successful artistic career is staying true to YOU. Don’t buy into the hype nor lose yourself to it. Be who you are and create what is in your mind, heart and soul. I enjoy being inspired by those who have worked hard and have overcome the challenges of being a new artist. I always reach out to those that are influencing our culture today in hopes that I can learn… Some will reach back out, frankly others don’t give a crap…

I don’t have a glamorous background nor a wealthy family tree but I do have simple dream. A dream I’ve carried inside since I can remember. Growing up in the Pilsen was pretty tough on the soul. It was hard to dream, but I knew inside there is always something more then the hood. I’ve been blessed with some amazingly talented and genuine individuals that have encouraged me & my crew on this new journey in Nashville. With just a year into Nashville, I was ready to bail on why we came here in the first place. But I am forever grateful for the friendships that continue to pour life into who we are as creatives here in Nashville. I’m also grateful for those who haven’t given me the time of day! You are the fuel that keeps me going. I wouldn’t have it any other way…

For all the young artists out there in pursuit of a dream like myself, don’t be discouraged nor afraid. Do what you do best! You may feel lost in the city where you dream, but it’s meant to be that way for a season. You can’t find something that isn’t lost. I’ve been knocking on the wrong doors and hitting up the wrong crowd… As long as you do the work of creating, sometimes you just gotta let God orchestrate your steps and the people that are meant to be part of your journey. It really works out better that way. I am learning that as I go. I am so glad to be lost in the city of Nashville! I love this town.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre…

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Pilsen

jessesantoyo — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:27:08 +0000

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Cinco De Mayo

jessesantoyo — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:41:57 +0000

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

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If…

jessesantoyo — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:40:15 +0000

If I could collaborate musically with anyone right now, I would have to choose between Ruben Blades and Robi Draco Rosa… Can anyone out there make it happen?

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If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?

Arte…

jessesantoyo — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:08:32 +0000

I love being surrounded by it.

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What do you like being surrounded by?

Don’s Grill in Chicago…

jessesantoyo — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:12:25 +0000

When I was just a few weeks old, my parents tell me that I suddenly stopped breathing. My brothers Carlos and Luis ran to the local diner to call for help. That diner still stands there in Chicago, Don’s grill. It has the same menu, same counter and the same original stools… Possibly a few of the same cooks.

Since I can remember my Dad always took me to Don’s grill for cheeseburgers. I have yet to find a cheeseburger that tops Don’s grill! In my recent trip to Chicago I made sure I took my son’s Diego and Zion for cheeseburgers…Even though they preferred pancakes It was a memorable moment for me to be able to sit at the same counter where me and my Dad once sat for cheeseburgers. It was a pretty rad Father moment for me…

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Is there a place with many great memories for you?

Hats

jessesantoyo — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:41:43 +0000

I’m known to always wear hats. I am not bald, I don’t have a funny shaped head and I am not trying to cover up another bad hair cut. I just enjoy wearing them. I sometimes forget what I look like without a hat. Hat’s are just part of my everyday life… I just hope it ain’t the reason why my hair feels thin! Being a father, a husband and a professional requires a hat. I recently took on a temporary project for a pretty cool company in town and I love the fact that I can rock my hats while I work! Diego has been following in my footsteps by wearing hats too!

The other hats I wear are as an actor, producer, filmaker, writer, leader, musician, Campus coordinator, songwriter and editor…to name a few. The constant battle I have is which one to wear the most of. There are a few that I wear often and others I’ve kept on the shelf. I’ve been on a journey discovering more of who I am, and what I was created to do. I am very passionate about the hats I wear, and I am sure as this journey continues I will find others. My creative process of hat decisions is very chaotic…But after all is said and done, I can’t have one without the other.

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What hats do you wear?

A must.

jessesantoyo — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:16:03 +0000

These are a few of the essentials in every Latino home.

What are some essentials in your home?

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Fuser y Alejandro…

jessesantoyo — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:04:08 +0000

In 2004 I began writing new material and I called it “The Saturn Project.” My younger brother Alejandro came on board as the drummer of the band. Since then we wrote tons of music and eventually took those songs to the Chicago Music scene. I remember having to sneak my brother into the clubs because he was not of age to be performing at bars and clubs. By 2006 we had built a subtle reputation with a faithful following of supporters. In 2006 we were nominated by the Chicago music awards for “Best Rock Entertainer”, which for us was a huge deal. In 2007, I made one of the toughest decisions of my life. I left Chicago to live and work in Miami. It was a decision I had to make for my family and It was one of the best decisions I ever made…My band stood behind. I didn’t know what was going to happen with a move like that. All I could do was hope for the best. Within a year after that, my brother Alejandro decided to move to Miami. It wasn’t something planned, it just happened! Somehow we were in the same city again and of course, eventually writing more music.

Within a year in Miami we brought on a long time friend living in West Palm to be our guitarist and found a bassist deep in the Florida Keys. The band pieced itself together again. By 2009 we went into a studio in Atlanta to record our first record. After careful thought and consideration, we decided to give away our music for a whole year. We partnered with an Organization with humanitarian efforts in Cambodia. It was called the relocation project… So for every $1,000 that the band sold in CD sales that year, the Government of Cambodia would build a house and relocate a family living in poverty into a brand new home. We were very fortunate to have flown to Asia to see this project take place, right before our eyes. It was an amazing cause to be part of. So much that we have continued to worked on creating a non Profit organization to aid Cambodia through music and art.

After some touring in 2009 my brother Alejandro decided to return to Chicago…And again, we were separated by many miles…During that separation I began writing songs to what would one day be a Solo EP. Alejandro began writing songs for a solo project as well, while in Chicago. We figured we’d given The Saturn Project and Fair shot and were ready to move on to other creative adventures on our own. In December of 2010 my wife and I decided to leave Miami and relocate to Nashville TN. Considering this is music city, I figured I would try to dive into the local scene and try to become a better singer/songwriter for myself. The thoughts of having a band again pretty much deminished… But In the Summer of 2010 My brother Alejandro came to Nashville to visit and ironically never returned to Chicago… So here we are in the came city again…We figured we’d do what we’ve always done. Write music again. With the band members being in different cities and states, my bro and I were strangely reunited again. Ever have that gut feeling you were meant to do something? Well, I kind of have that gut feeling my brother and I are destined to make music together. At what capacity? I don’t think either of us know. So we’ve decided to write a new project(in the making) and hit the studio very soon to begin it’s process. We’ve had what seems to be a super long journey of ups and downs, triumphs and failures, fights and celebrations. We’re kind of like the Oasis brothers…That’s probably not the greatest comparison. We feel it’s just the beginning again. That’s the cool thing about being in a band with your little brother. We’re always going at it and somehow able to write cool tunes together. Well, at least we think so. I look back and think to myself, not bad for 2 latino kids who were born and raised in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The music is a representation who we are and where we come from. We were never good at being anyone else… Let’s see what happens next. Stay tuned.

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Special thanks to those who have been with us since day 1. Abrazos!