Showcasing a handful of artists in the valley. From the musicians that got me into the local music scene to the ones I've been able to meet and listen to through out the years. Introducing me and others to new sounds and new places. Not just ourselves, but enjoying and living in the moment as we experience these shows or even awaiting a drop on SoundCloud or Spotify to a local artist we enjoy. If there's someone here you haven't listened to well now is the chance! This is The Valley's 2021 Wrapped and here are the artists as they share and describe a little about their work. (This is bound to also get updated with new info as the collective feature is open to any artists missed.)
Hyperlust
Hyperlust’s music stems from our desire to get out of our individual musical comfort zones. We all come from very different musical backgrounds, but we have decided to collaborate on something that was new ground for all of us. Our music aims to be a celebration of classic synth sounds, eclectic rhythms, style fusion, showmanship, and pulp story telling.
Isaiah Flowers
I would describe my music for me is an escape plan. it’s a place for me to be who I am and put these feelings and emotions in a track when I have no other way of showing it.
When I hear that people connect to my own music, It tells that I’m not alone. I do it for them, they get the picture on what’s processing through these tracks and I think that’s the beauty of it. We got each other on own our way though the music.
INNDIGOtheRebel
INNDIGOtheRebel, CEO/OWNER of Rebelz Of The Valley Records is an Artist/Musician from Alamo, Texas. He has been producing/writing music since 2011, and has been on a mission to inspire the artist community that it is ok to create art/music without boundaries. He also has sought out to build up artist from the Rio Grande Valley through his Record Label to become leaders of their own empire and provide them with the tools to succeed. INNDIGOtheRebel is a man of the people, all about Unity in his community, and spreading positivity has been his main message to give others a sign of hope.
HiMarcus
My work is all the infinite ideas, mistakes, everyday inspiration, and
pent up emotions communicated through multiple mediums and media.
The words I speak, the sounds I express, and the energy I capture are all
distilled into what I feel best represents me and my art.
Valley Swerve
Valley Swerve is a producer duo that incorporates various genres from vaporwave and future funk to hip-hop, jazz, and rock. Through films, albums, and artwork, the outfit aims to capture and reflect the musical landscape of today by combining elements of ambient soundscapes, trap percussion, and vintage wavy samples. The group is slowly becoming a staple of the alternative scene, usually hosting live events combining its ethereal artworks and tropical sounds at various venues around the Valley.
STRGHTFWRD
A genre-bending DJ/producer duo, with high energetic dance floor bangers and unapologetic style of mixing that take over the dance floors valley-wide
Planet Grim
PlanetGrim: I am a 19 year old rapper from McAllen. I have been writing and performing music for as long as I can remember and I currently am pursuing my music career in Austin. My style varies, my recent album is a gritty, southern style rap album, I also have some boom bap shit out as well as some very experimental rap on the album titled PlanetGrim. My goal is to be a legend and I’m not going to stop until it happens.
Killmori
Honestly i don’t know how to describe my work. It’s not really “work” but more of a vocal representations of me or parts of “me” I should say. A lot of artists refer to it as being therapeutic (which is true) and was the main reason why I wanted to make something. To take the thoughts that don’t exist outside of my head. And have them exist outside if that makes sense. Parts of me were hurt, others healed, hateful, and reflective of what was going on within myself and around me in the world. as-well the relationships I have within them. While having the various of genres I grew up listening too “voice” them
Isa Lux
I would describe my work as my mind using music as a way to let whatever emotion or energy I have locked up or stored away. Everything I make is based off of whatever the music commands me to feel or say. Nothing I ever do will be forced or over analyzed, I want people to here my feeling on every song I have. This is not a gimmick for me or a way to center things around myself. It’s my expression and my passion and that will always be the case.
Yruama
I would describe my music is dynamic. I try to incorporate as much of release of tension as possible. I love to build as much tension as possible so that I can release it with a beautiful feel good chorus, and I just like the feeling that doing that gives me.
Noimnotwhite
I’m based out of mission, I love making music about general problems and thoughts people can relate to. I don’t sing about money or getting high, I translate in lyrics my actual emotional thoughts if it’s to a girl or to myself. My latest project Moon and Mars was in the perspective one of my relationships of our flaws and perfections. Metaphorically she is the moon and I’m the Mars
Wallo2k
I would describe my work as new age / progressive multimedia art. Taking influence from modern American rap /pop songs and music videos which I then combine them with the same Latin Influences and culture that I grew up with-therefore creating my overall artistic purpose with music and music videos and production style as Wallo2k the trendy bilingual rapper extraordinaire and PLXYTV!* the versatile visual based channel that pushes boundaries while also supporting the up and coming artistic community.
Roxch
When it comes to my music, i’m just trying to articulate what i’m feeling. There’s not much else to say other than that. You’ll get the beautiful and ugly sides of my thoughts. The good and evil. The smart & ignorant. The Humble & narcissistic, etc. I don’t like to identify with a certain genre because I plan on exploring as many sounds as possible. At the end of day I want to show people who I am through my music and I’m happy with whoever resonates with it <3
Chulita DJ Ojitos
Being a part of Chulita Vinyl Club RGV has brought so much more meaning into my life. Through CVC RGV, I get to share the music that molded me growing up, records that hold different memories from all stages of my life— from my very first record I bought with my own money in middle school (The Ramones self titled album) to my grandfather’s Spanish records from the 50’s-60’s which were gifted to me after he passed. I’ve met my best friends for life through CVC; the Chulitas I spin alongside are the sisters I never had. There’s nothing more exciting than showing up to a gig, pulling out records from my personal crates, and seeing people’s faces light up when they hear a song that might remind them of their childhood, or a first kiss. Every time I drop the needle, my intention is to make people feel like they’re suddenly in their own personal movie— and my mix is the soundtrack to their experiences. I would describe my personal collection as “old school”, with bits of punk, funk/soul, jazz, and cumbia of boleros. Sometimes you’ll get a surprise instrumental from some of my favorite films. This mix from 2019 is a perfect description of my style on the decks in the link below :
Diosdelghetto
Hailing from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, Producer/DJ Diosdelghetto has in interest in experimenting with club music; with many influences such as jungle, moombahton, trap, juke, and jersey.
Riley!
Riley! is an emo band about having a good time. We try to put our own creative twist on the traditional midwest emo genre by exploring different sounds and lyrical topics that aren’t necessarily quintessential within “emo.” Whether it be writing songs about cats or communism, or writing a completely 8-bit game inspired boss fight themed interlude, we try to have fun with a genre that’s typically a bit more somber.
I had to add this one personally due to it being one of the many songs/bands that got me interested in local music scene. Listening to this on repeat in my late years of college while also working with the local community and some artists as well. It's just crazy. We have talent in the valley and a variety of sounds and styles. Even to this day it's growing. Looking back to songs/bands such as Fight Milk, Vamos Pa Mexico, Tv Flesh, Glare, Pinky Swear as examples as to what I was introduced by giving these $3 to 5 shows a chance.
Pillowsnake
Pillowsnake is a fever dream mix of psychedelic guitars, lofi electronics, distorted vocals, and somewhat catchy songs. I'm lazy and only release music sporadically now, but when something drops, it's always a good viewpoint of what's going on in my life right now.
Diseasefreak
Yo my name is leo
I make music under the name of diseasefreak and I also book shows and co run local DIY venue Sauce House.
To me, making music is a way of expressing myself that I found when i was in my younger teens. I love the feeling of creating a non tangible piece of art basically made out of thin air and still just be able to create a full physical feeling with it. I could never shake off the feeling that creating art and playing it in front of people gives me and I hope I am able to continue to do it for a long time.
My process is really simple I record every instrument one by one by myself in my little home studio, I try not to stick to genres and i don’t really know how to read music, but who even does nowadays amirite. Currently working on releasing a full band recording, and a solo tape under the name of diseasefreak on all streaming platforms soon.
Gusto Gusto
Sycamore
Dirty Motel
Born and raised in the heart of culture and vibrancy, in the midst of the diverse musical scenes found in Texas, the infamous duo “Dirty Motel” was founded. Their sound consists of an innovative combination of Hard Rock, Alternative, punk rock & Blues, known as the highlighted genres in which they were raised upon. It wasn’t until after their years of playing sports, navigating their ways through pre-collegiate years, and endless jokes about forming a band together, that the talented duo united and did just that; from friends to bandmates. Sam Hinjosa (lyricist and vocalist) and Ozzy Salazar (multi-instrumentalist) lie in perfect harmony, with the creation of each song. Experimentation is no stranger to this group. Ozzy’s focused craft in constructing colorful, unique melodies, continue to compliment Sam’s intricate and witty writing style, with each passing co-written release. When not in the studio adding ideas to their endless list of unreleased tracks, this small town derived band could be found playing on just about any open stage around the cities of Texas. Since forming in early 2017, they’ve shot two official music videos for their more popularly known tracks “Back to You” and “Kids''. A timeless group, with their sounds, strums, synths, and rhythms rooting from past and current decades, Dirty Motel continuously immerses themselves in the creation of modern rock music.
Mt.Casino
Mt. Casino is a six-piece Dream Pop band from Brownsville, Texas.
Started in 2018 by Aubrey Mueller, Michael Gonzalez, and Lance Cuellar after Michael and Lance met Aubrey while she worked as a front woman for a local cover band. The new friends quickly bonded and began writing songs in their free time that were heavily influenced by 80’s synth, modern indie, alternative, shoegaze, and many more. Each group members’ personal experiences such as the loss of love, relationships and hardships also played a part in their writing style.
Mt. Casino is a musical project born out of each member’s love for listening, creating, and performing music, with the intent to reach their audience on a more intimate level.
While no official album exists as of yet, the band plans to officially record in 2022. Until then, Mt. Casino hopes to share their music with anyone willing to attend their live shows.
This is a song by Mt.Casino
Joseph Stingley
I hope to make work that changes vastly from project to project, but across the board I’d say it’s hyper-vulnerable singer songwriter music at heart usually with a cinematic edge. Inspired by artists like jai paul, kanye, and charlixcx I hope to land somewhere a little more left field /“my own” following these up coming releases. Currently attempting to make something objectively “good” so I feel free enough to really experiment.
I’m typically a really anxious very guarded person, so there’s lots of things I don’t say in the real world that go on up here. My music is just a little window into my true feelings and hyper-emotional world.
Lucas Noah
I would describe my work as a musical log of how I’m feeling at a certain point in time, hoping people connect to it or just like the music. i try and make a lot of it pop because that’s what i grew up listening to and it feels most genuine to me. i always try and add something different to every song i make, putting as much detail as i can. my main goal, with music, is to connect to people.
Still Empty
350music
A3
If I could describe my work it would be for the people that feel too much! To let them know they are not alone and that what they feel is valid. My music and work Is to let the people know that it is okay and that this is not the end, God is faithful! I do this through alternate hip hop/ pop music!
Lost In Limbo
Our work described best in words would be a group of friends wanting to express themselves through the best way they knew which was music. We want to share a piece of ourselves with the world in the language that everyone can understand. Every member of the band has their own musical inspirations which ends up blending really well with the kind of music we make, and we think you can hear a little piece of our soul in our work whether it’s the lyrics, guitar work, bass grooves, or the tasteful drum arrangements. Every note has meaning and intent behind it to portray an emotion and help tell a story.
Ally Mtz
I’m a singer-songwriter based in McAllen, TX. I play frequently around town and can usually be found at home with my two orange cats.
😌
Mikey Dee
If I Could Describe My Work.. It Would Be.. Raw & Original, And Versatile. I'm Just Barely Getting Started And Had Been Rapping Since I Was A Kid, And Well I'll Let My Talent Speak For Itself And Hopefully Put Brownsville Texas On The Map As Well As The Lovely People From The 956.
Vice and Terror
Gesture
The main thing we want to convey with Gesture’s music is familiarity and earnestness. These songs could mean one thing to us and another thing to the listener. And no one one would be wrong. The music could be about a failed relationship or how much you hate your job or straight up being scared of getting old. These are all serious subjects, but we love to convey it with ample brevity and humor. We write music we know we’d love to hear and we know we’re lucky if anyone listens to it. And the fact that there is, is reason enough for us to keep doing it.
Common Girl
Common Girl creates music for people to enjoy but also creates music as a form of gratitude to the universe. The music itself is a tangible medium for the universe to be able to understand itself through my eyes. The songs I create are simply an insight of who I am and what I feel while existing in this vast universe of ours.
10 Foot Overhead
10 Foot Overhead is very symbolic to us. The metaphorical waves of obstacles that crash and consume us in life are what we speak on in our music. The music itself is our stand off against those waves, the act of not staying down, and the struggle to keep your head above the water. Whether its a sad ballad, an angsty pop punk riff, or even a personal/intimate acoustic piece. Our music is how we confront what the world throws at us and that is ultimately what we hope other people get from it as well.
Swayze
I would describe my music very chill to low tempo to high aggressive bass tracks. something where you can see yourself walking in a meadow to cruising down the streets at 3:00 am. I try to encapsulate the many dynamics how I feel people feel through out their day through sound.
Lure Division
I guess i would describe it as just experimental, at least everything I've put out. this new project ep I'm putting out has been the first time I've actually discovered my sound. all of my other songs have been purely experimental and what id say for that is that it holds a carefree, fun, sorta theme that really doesn't stick to a certain feeling. i put out a small album of songs that i just made at random times, and i kind of released it impulsively, without actually taking time to mix it and master it or even add features like i first planned, its really raw, but i guess for it being more of a carefree sound, it works out as its not perfect. ive had days where i want to delete all of my previous releases before daze and downer, but something has kept me from doing that. as for my newer project, i can say ive found my sound, and overall mood i'd like to stick with, and i look to putting that out soon, like really soon.. My newer songs have more of a meaning, they've had soo much thought put into it, and i feel as though this is what i wanted to do, i guess i just got really lost in the experimental way that i didn't know what sound to stick with or which route to take. but it took me months to figure that out, now I'm ready to put out another project, and I'm ready to push it out there.
L@s Skagaler@s
L@s Skagaler@s is a ska punk band from the border region of the Rio Grande Valley whose songs give voices to the unheard in efforts to raise awareness towards marginalized/oppressed groups in our community, as well as other communities worldwide. These powerful messages disguised as New Tone SKA make for some high energy live performances, and nights for the ages.
Garden Seeds
What type of band are we?:
Garden Seeds is a band about the music, some would say we are a party band- others say we are a chill vibe for any venue.
However we are a band about self discovery an enjoying the journey to get there.
We play music that is reminiscent of 90’s punk pop, while also being soaked an drenched in nostalgia of a different time with a modern tongue.
Monodyssey
Ezekiel Rae
I tend to write very earnestly even if it's not exactly 100% based on true events. My lyrics are often very escapist and tranquil with the word painting but I often juxtapose that with more urgent, louder sections. Lately, I've been a lot more direct in my lyrical storytelling which can be scary, but I think it's a natural progression from those earlier, more hesitant tracks. Musically, I am very inspired by acoustic driven indie music and I mirrored that pretty closely in my early days, but in the last few years, I've really started dabbling in electronic sounds, weird ambient noises, and sound scapes.
Jam Club
JamClub is a Harlingen based eclectic project created by local musician and music educator Sadie Hernandez; known for being the trombonist for L@s Skagaler@s and Housebound Ska Collective. The project has one main goal, to provide an environment for musicians to collaborate and “jam” together creating whatever happens in the moment. Electro bedroom pop punk with inspiration from literally everywhere this new band is something to look for this year! Active in the local music community, you’ve met Sadie somewhere, and JamClub reiterates that music can and should be inclusive and accessible to everyone and anyone no matter your experience. The band is currently mixing & mastering their first EP for release, featuring an array of local musicians who have joined “the club”, the valley is always ready to jam.
Fb: JamClub
Insta: JamClubRGV
Soundcloud: JamClubSounds
Don B
I would describe my work as a musical painting. I take djing and producing as I would painting a picture. this picture I’m painting is to have people enjoy the colors I use (sounds) and experience certain feelings with different palettes I choose. I can compare my different styles I enjoy as different palettes/certain colors I use and the paint brushes as the different techniques I use to bring everything together. At the end of it all I want it to be this painting that brings out certain feelings and for the listener to listen to whatever it is as a whole and see the story I’m trying to tell.
Royal Angst
Jackie Rose says "I would describe my music as my diary. A raw, personal collection of thoughts and experiences told through soft and hard rock."
The Culture
I would describe our music as a release of my real self. It's the only place I feel comfortable experimenting and talking about what's really going on with me without a fear of being rejected. It's also a way to bond with my best friends and others out there going through similar situations, with the end goal of leaving a positive impact on people. We take influences from everywhere and we're always thinking of new genres to tackle, putting our own spin on it. Over all I would describe the culture as some idiots making music for fun.
Edwin Voyager
Something along the lines of abstract along the lines of indie rock indie pop along the lines of psychedelic and existential dread along the lines of fever dream along the lines of the lines that were crossed the boundaries I had to step out of in order for it come into fruition, this album is a time frame of a certain state of mind (and out of mind) experience. how sonic textures correlate with colors and the images projected within every day life, along the lines of what one can do on their free time. By no means is this a masterpiece, far from it, but a very raw introspective look into a double-edged-sword kinda thought process.
I Killed Techno!
A cry out of the dark over stalking drums and raging synths. The kind of music you would hear in a horror film made by a punk rocker with a fixation on death, horror, politics and 80’s Italian synth scores. All of this paired with a live performance that demands the attention of its audience.
Toro Bravo
Lazer Hog
Lazer Hog is the musical expression of a friendship between 4 dudes. Many of the themes and ideas came out of inside jokes and the general attitude of taking the music seriously without taking ourselves seriously.
Cannon The Dealers
Cannon the Dealers is all about taking our ups and downs as people and packaging it into this really cool and punchy rock sound. We take inspiration from bands like the arctic monkeys, the strokes, and sticky fingers so we’re always trying make these catchy tunes in the studio that have a different kind of energy live. Cannon live shows are all about the intensity and seeing how crazy we can make things. We’re always trying to take it further and further with our music just to put on a more badass show than before.
Lov3rboy
After years of working on my craft, I've seen my love for music as an escape from my reality to express my emotions to make something good out of my thoughts cause growing up, I was never considered popular or anything special. I was just a regular good kid who was always to himself and did his work, but once I had found the love of making music, I made myself feel important. Especially when I started gaining supporters and plenty of compliments from people calling me talented, which is just the best feeling in the world but I never wanted to feel like I'm in a box and only do one style of music because everyone has a different taste, and I wanted my voice to be able to appeal and be loved by as many people as possible and have at least one song that suits their ears. That helps me get out of my comfort zone and experiment more to become a lot more versatile/ creative, so I can go from doing boom-bap to melodic, Lofi, and hype songs to put my pin game to the test and still get my message across.
B11ce
My art & music are very frenetic and energetic. I love creating psychedelic and immersive experiences, and have a special interest in bass-heavy/danceable rhythms in my sound. Though I can sometimes convey a sense of dizziness, it’s ultimately grounded in funky & heartfelt songwriting. I usually produce & songwrite all my music in order create a unified other-world to tap into.
Italia
Dramadict
Wavphiles
Our music allows each band member to have an out to express our emotions in a creative capacity. We are drawn to the raw intensity of blues, hard rock, punk, metal, while similarly eager to explore the softer intricacies of LoFi and ambient music. From varying influences we try to best reflect who we are as musicians and as people. We hope that our music connects with listeners on some level to provide an escape, or inspire a passion for healthy, creative expression.
Our members are:
Gilberto Guerra-Vocalist/Guitarist
JP Cuellar-Drums
Leo Vasquez-Bass Guitarist
Worst Behavior
FrankKing / FRUíZ
My sound is a tasty musical charcuterie of variety. No one song sounds like the one before, yet they all also hold a certain element of unity. From lyrically driven, to hard sound, uplifting, or just laid back, there are no limitations to the craft. I simply pour my heart into each and every piece, and let it shine through to every person's ears for their own interpretation. My goal isn't to hold back or explode, but to sonically implode with my experiences and let the music tell itself. That's all I've ever wanted, and that's what I'll always intend to do
Risky Patterns
If I had to describe my art, I’d use the word “infinite”. My work is a direct extension of my creative imagination and is therefore unlimited, without bounds, and forever existing long after I’m gone. Music is a medium that I use to freely express myself and ultimately what I’ve decided is my purpose in this life. Sharing it with the world is how I’ll leave behind a legacy.
High Regard
I would describe High Regard and our music as fun, energetic and heartfelt. We’re a 5 piece band full of chill guys who like to hangout and get to know more people. Our only goal is to have as much fun as possible and play the sounds that we grew up listening to while writing about experiences that we’ve personally gone through in a way that people can relate. We’re currently in the process of finishing our debut EP with 8 tracks on it that should be out sometime this summer. We’re a pop punk band!
Common Error
Our music is heavily influenced by early punk, and the older valley scene. Lots of our music is based off real experiences we went through growing up. We touch up on topics like family, friends, romance, self-worth, and self expression. We use our music to voice all the common errors we’ve made in our life.
Lunar Heart
We make music for ourselves as we enjoy playing and sharing our music in front of a crowd. It really drives us to experiment with our music and evolve to create a sound that we really want. We want to keep improving our sound and incorporate styles that we really love such as pop music with catchy vocal melodies and synth based music mixed with guitars. Our new single “Former Friends” captures that in which we have changed our style slightly to something more that we want.
Twin Tribes
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