Getting To Know...
Jackie Mendoza.
Jackie Mendoza has shared a new single / video ‘Mucho Más’, from her debut EP LuvHz. out now on Luminelle Recordings. The accompanying video for the track presents Mendoza swirling with effervescent colors and warping, bright images.
Born and raised in the border city of Chula Vista, California, Jackie Mendoza blends the cultural influences of her hometown and her motherland of Tijuana, Mexico, creating eccentric pop, Latin-driven dance beats, and vibrant soundscapes.
Mendoza’s LuvHz EP is a 6-track exploration of love and relationships. Throughout, Mendoza uses both personal experiences and observations, delving into online unrequited love, the indecisiveness in a new romance, and the toll that being away for long periods of time has taken on her relationship with her home. The LuvHz EP was recorded with Rusty Santos (Panda Bear’s Buoys). Both have lived in Los Angeles, New York, and Mexico and have an appreciation for Latin producers and Reggaeton artists, sounds that perfectly translated into Mendoza’s music.
We had a quick chat with Jackie all about the new EP, her influences and more. Read the Q&A below.
What led you to make music?
“The earliest memory I have of wanting to sing and perform is when I saw the movies Annie the Musical and Pippi Longstocking. I would belt the songs around my house and I would make my younger brother sing along with me. I took a few voice lessons in grade school and joined the choir, I did musical theater all throughout high school, and taught myself to play guitar, piano, and ukulele. It wasn't until I moved to New York that I started writing more original songs and learned how to produce music. I had a lot of time in between classes and kept to myself a lot my first year. I would spend hours and hours writing and making beats; there were nights that I didn't sleep at all because I was having so much fun. After I joined my previous band, Gingerlys, I never wanted to stop making music and playing shows and that's what I've been doing since 2014.”
How would you describe your sound? Who or what has the biggest influence on your music and songwriting?
“My sound is sporadic and genre-bending electronic pop. Music is the easiest way for me to express everything at once; my thoughts, feelings, and identities. I think if I had to choose the biggest influence on my music it would be showtunes. Whenever I make a song I feel like I'm conducting an orchestra and leading a chorus into song. I like using many voices and harmonies like ones you would hear in a Broadway musical. I like storytelling and writing songs that are direct, as if the story were developing right in front of you. My sound is a mix of these elements with Latin beats, Spanish vocals, electronic beats, synths, and electric ukulele.”
You recently released the video for 'Mucho Mas'. What was the inspiration behind the track and it's visuals?
“’Mucho Mas’ was originally a poem I wrote to myself on a day where I felt too depressed and anxious to leave my bed. I had to encourage myself to face my fears and I wrote these words as a pep talk to myself. When I was in the studio recording LuvHz, Rusty and I wanted to try some cool effects on the ukulele and we arrived at this rumbling bassy harp sound. It started with ukulele, Rusty made a beat on top of that, and I free-styled on top of it using that poem I had written. I tried doing it again but the first take sounded the best! I knew the video had to be as strange and psychedelic as the song; but also vibrant and optimistic. I shot scenes around Brooklyn and a Holographic studio in Manhattan, and I sent the footage to Juli Williams (Glitchybb) to edit her visuals into the video.”
‘Mucho Mas' is taken from your debut EP LuvHz which was released last last month. What's the story behind the record? And what kind of things have you learned during the process of making your first EP?
“Some songs from the EP were written as far back as 2015 and others were written last summer in the studio. When I started writing and producing songs, I would automatically upload them to Soundcloud or release singles using different distribution platforms. For years, I did everything myself and thought that the bravest thing an artist could do was to be independent. Soon after I first spoke with my manager, Walter, I realized that a braver thing for me to do was to accept guidance and help from other people. I started gathering songs and ideas and I did my best to produce the music myself. Walter then connected me with Rusty and we decided to work together to construct the final form of the EP. We met in LA for 5 days and we connected instantly and managed to finish the EP and write 3 new songs in the studio too. When Luminelle came into the picture, I knew everything had fallen into place. I've learned that collaboration is important and that you can find inspiration when you least expect it.”
Finally, what's next for Jackie Mendoza?
“I have a few tours planned in the coming months. I'm excited to play outside of the US and to meet people who have connected to the EP in some way. I'm writing songs for the album and I hope to tour even more after that.”
LuvHz is out now.
