Artist We Love: Javier Trejo
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(Photo by Marshall Franklin Long)
Age: 34
Hails from: St. Paul, Minn.
On why he chose to play guitar: Of course growing up with MTV and seeing rock stars on the stage playing guitar made me want to play myself. But really it was just that with the guitar I could play and sing at the same time, and I’ve always loved singing.
On his guitar playing style: One night I’ll play rockabilly Americana, and another night I’ll play Latin jazz … I love the possibilities involved in all genres. What I’ve been calling my music lately is Mexican Americana, which means rock-n-roll on the radio, but tortillas on the table.
On his musical influences: Growing up, my music was strongly influenced by my parents. My mom listened to early, early country western music like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson. My dad liked ’60s rock-n-roll like Duane Eddy, Santo & Johnny and Roy Orbison. At the same time, my whole dad’s side of the family is Mexican, so there are mariachis and boleros going on, too. I’m part of a generation of people who were raised in our Mexican culture but at the same time, we’re totally immersed in American culture.
On how his Mexican heritage inspires his music: It’s in my style. When people hear my country songs, they can hear the Mexican influence in the flair and rhythm. It’s subtle, though, not in-your-face. And that’s something I struggle with. My music is too white for the browns and too brown for the whites, you know? If I end up playing Mexican songs all night long—which I could do—I’d lose that crowd. But if I play just to the other crowd, I’d lose my Latino fans.
Songwriting inspiration: Heartbreak.
Biggest challenge to overcome as a performer: Not drinking. I’ve been clean for four years, but I’m around alcohol all the time; that’s what the industry thrives on. I’m pretty much paid to keep people drinking. So having to go to bars every day and watch people drop off into oblivion all the time can be challenging. But realizing that I can still be a musician, do what I love, and have the rock star lifestyle without the partying is hugely rewarding.
First gig in the Twin Cities: The Turf Club on Tuesday nights when I was in 11th grade. And the next day I would have to go to English class.
Javier Trejo performs on 3/26 at Station 4, 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul
Hails from: St. Paul, Minn.
On why he chose to play guitar: Of course growing up with MTV and seeing rock stars on the stage playing guitar made me want to play myself. But really it was just that with the guitar I could play and sing at the same time, and I’ve always loved singing.
On his guitar playing style: One night I’ll play rockabilly Americana, and another night I’ll play Latin jazz … I love the possibilities involved in all genres. What I’ve been calling my music lately is Mexican Americana, which means rock-n-roll on the radio, but tortillas on the table.
On his musical influences: Growing up, my music was strongly influenced by my parents. My mom listened to early, early country western music like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson. My dad liked ’60s rock-n-roll like Duane Eddy, Santo & Johnny and Roy Orbison. At the same time, my whole dad’s side of the family is Mexican, so there are mariachis and boleros going on, too. I’m part of a generation of people who were raised in our Mexican culture but at the same time, we’re totally immersed in American culture.
On how his Mexican heritage inspires his music: It’s in my style. When people hear my country songs, they can hear the Mexican influence in the flair and rhythm. It’s subtle, though, not in-your-face. And that’s something I struggle with. My music is too white for the browns and too brown for the whites, you know? If I end up playing Mexican songs all night long—which I could do—I’d lose that crowd. But if I play just to the other crowd, I’d lose my Latino fans.
Songwriting inspiration: Heartbreak.
Biggest challenge to overcome as a performer: Not drinking. I’ve been clean for four years, but I’m around alcohol all the time; that’s what the industry thrives on. I’m pretty much paid to keep people drinking. So having to go to bars every day and watch people drop off into oblivion all the time can be challenging. But realizing that I can still be a musician, do what I love, and have the rock star lifestyle without the partying is hugely rewarding.
First gig in the Twin Cities: The Turf Club on Tuesday nights when I was in 11th grade. And the next day I would have to go to English class.
Javier Trejo performs on 3/26 at Station 4, 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul
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