I want to say that I was able to see Torti live at Sauce House at the uuudied show awhile. I went with my friend Killmori who was also on the set list for the night. The amount of energy Torti has during a set, but also having the energy to make the audience in between caught my attention. He is not only funny, but is rather witty when it comes to his lyricism in his music. It's just everything he projects onto the crowd from as mentioned the humor, the music, riling them up with the amount of love he has for The Valley. This is Torti, @iluvtorti
Torti shares with us what he's been enjoying as of recently,
"Lately I've been hanging out with who i can say is my people, as my people have grown up in the same city of Pharr and San Juan TX." Love for the homies out in San Juan and Pharr for real.
Any shout outs Torti would like to give out?
"Shoutouts to everyone who showed luv since the day I stepped into the door my homie Doza opened for me. It all started at the bummershed when id sell hotdogs. After that i got connected with Eric and oliver, they put in word for me to perform at the All Star fest they threw (my first show) shoutout to them. After My first show, UUUDIED hosted a show at the SAUCE HOUSE (my second show) where I Introduced my music to the city of San Juan. Shoutouts to Leo for making that night happen. Shoutouts to carlos for seeing my potential. Shoutouts to Gambinoo for letting me perform at his private party! shoutouts to leo who let me perform a secret set at the end of a sauce house show as he pushes my music career out. Thats why i luv that vato. Shoutouts to 37th universe for being a big support of my music."
Who is iluvtorti? What can you tell us about yourself?
"Iluvtorti is a title I gave myself after I achieved spiritual Awakening. I use to go by Juan Tortilla in high school, where I was going to pursue video production. Music was just a hobby for me at the time. I would focus more on creating content. When covid started, thats when I started tapping into 'who is torti'" I used to edit when I was in school. I was a reporter for UTRGV TV before going into radio. A lot of news editing and typing has been engraved into my brain. I haven't been editing...I have a lot of backed up videos. Sorry for getting off topic? Well I guess in a sense this news stuff wasn't for me and I pursued my hobby. I had my "who is ram" moment, which is normal. It's a tough moment for sure, but we need that awakening. It happens to us, huh? From video production to Torti showcasing his music in front of a crowd.
How would you describe your music? What songs would you recommend to someone to check out who hasn't listened to your work?
"I'd Recommend the bummershed night pt 1 demo thats on my soundcloud, as it contains an unreleased track and my top 2 tracks from what I've seen. I feel like music is my soul expressed into words, as music is the language that'll live on forever. I still don't know what genre i'll consider myself to be in as I try to experiment." I wanted to ask about "genres" but I didn't because I also didn't want to base it off the #hiphop or the #s on your SoundCloud. I started with Monday because at Sauce House you were smiling while jumping to this song. You looked very happy and in the moment. When I read the title it just hit me. So that was the first song I clicked into. I like that Killmori knew a lot of the lyrics too haha.
Where does your love for the local d.i.y scene and the 956 come from? The way you represent The Valley especially in person. What is the importance of this to you? "VALLEY BORN & RAISED HOMIE!!! The valley is my people so there's love in every part of the valley. The only thing that scares me is that even tho the valley is one big location, its all categorized into different cities. Thats why I try to get tight with the people i come across, still representing my city with luv to yours." With how I may come off or how I may look there is certainly love from Palmview. From me to you. I was born in Reynosa la maldosa ahhhh haha, but for real being able to travel to these cities is worth. Getting out our little bubble to see what's happening especially in Brownsville. They got something HUGE in December! I know people who don't leave and it's like man there's something going on! It's cool to see people conviviendo juntos.
When it comes to you performing live you really put yourself out there. Especially with music, but also the humor. How is it that you mix these 2 together?
"It's all natural, If anything i use my anxiety to get me through my performance. I'm a people's person so i show luv, and my luv happens to be expressed through humor." As Torti says "it's all natural" and that's good. Better natural than for it be forced. Seeing it happen live it was funny and enjoyable. It's like 2 performances in one, 2 shows in one combo.
When it comes to your music is there a part of yourself or any sentiments that you implement into your music? Could you give us an example or two as well
"Yes, as I say in my song Kill It Mom, It's a Fantasy 'every time i feel a type of way i put it in a song'. I can't make music whenever i dont feel a type of way. A lot of my music is usually freestyled and fixed up into whatever is going through my head. The song Schizophrenic Gold Mine is about a period where i felt paranoid about a lot of things going on in my mind. My music is basically me preaching Tortilations." Man really said "Tortilations" and honestly I love when an artist can create their name for their work. Fuck the labels, it's this and that. Like yes we use them to understand what "style" or "genre" it may be, but there's something about just making something up to define yourself that just hits harder. I better see #Tortilations on the tags on SoundCloud. It's a preach, a telling of a man's inner emotions.
Listening to your music there is songs that are "heavier" Schizophrenic Gold Mine , She finally Found her Worth, IG I'll Become a Pimp while some are also "slower" songs that also show a "softer" side with songs such as Monday, Kill it mom, It's a fantasy, Mesmerized. Do you mind explaining your process in making music? Is it based on emotion or what went through your mind when creating some of these songs? "I spit a lot about my stress or sometimes I just let my mind roam into wordplay. There's a few tracks on one of my instagram pages called musicaltorts where i post a lot of unfinished songs that probably wont ever get touched again, as they tell how i felt in those exact moment." As he mentions "wordplay" it can be brought back to the "freestyles" he says his music is usually "freestyled." Just spitting what's on his mind on paper or the voice memo. Do you think that's the best way to do it? To release what's within? I enjoy writing little poems. While I may not do it all the time. I have a tendency to do it on the spot. If don't have my pencil or phone on me the thought will go away which sucks, but I'm glad I had it. Like Torti, It's a lot I won't publish or touch again.
Do you have a favorite song you've created? If so, which one and why?
"I luv all my published song, the song magical lego is one of my favorites as i talk about staying in the valley instead of leaving to kingsville for college. After that song, I told myself i need to pursue my music career a bit more along with my other hobbies." I'd say while pursuing music that it is important to purse other hobbies as well. Video production is an option? Do you think you need college for that? Even with pirating adobe premiere as we all should lol there's definitely classes online. Videos for yourself or even your friends, That's certainly a step to take or even just consider. I almost left the valley 3 years go or so after Graduation to be honest.
How do you wish to continue with your music along with the shows you perform in as well? "I plan on coming out with a cd with a good 12 tracks to potentially sell at shows. People have asked me for Iluvtorti merch and i happen to have a few designs so i might just make it happen. Marketing wise, I plan on just doing me and see how that goes. I have a lot of visions that I know i can make come true." Man I love CDs so if that comes true let me know! I'll make sure to get it signed as well.
Are you looking forward to opening up at Bummershed? How does that feel?
"I am, i'm excited for the fact that its going to be my 5th show so i'm going to perform 3 unreleased tracks that'll be in my cd. I'm exited to perform with DiseaseFreak as they the homies. And exited to perform with SKA because they went to high school with me, it's lit to know that my locals are really out here putting in the work." All the homies together for one show! I fuck with that. THIS FRIDAY! PULL UP!
What are your thoughts on the local valley scene?
"For me, the local scene is Sauce House as its been around for a while and i consider San Juan my city as well since i live in the border between Pharr and San Juan. I Luv the sauce house family as they took me in. "
Any final comments you'd like to add?
Thank You for whoever read through this article. I luv yall
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