As the top of summer time attracts close to, there are solely two extra alternatives to bop the evening away at Hemisfair Civic Park for Sound Cream Sundown Classes. The free, weekly dance events and DJ showcases at Hemisfair Civic Park proceed 7:30 to 10:30p.m. every Thursday in July and finish July 25. Guests can spend household time on the Nice Garden, cool off within the springs or store native on the Texas Market, all whereas listening to tunes supplied by DJs from throughout Texas.
July’s Sounds of South Texas collection showcases types synonymous with South Texas, that includes DJs from San Antonio right down to the Rio Grande Valley. Following final week’s efficiency by San Antonio-based DJs Lzrcat and Home Arrest, the get together continues Thursday, July 18 with DJs Flacucho and Mala Mia, hailing from Brownsville and McAllen.
Flacucho (also called Pedro Rodriguez) is a DJ, cultural programmer, and founding father of the classic store and DJ hub Tropicasa, a vegan comfort retailer centered on producing social change in McAllen. Identified for its reside streams, fill-a-bags, events and number of snacks, the South Texas retailer is redefining what it means to be a comfort retailer by platforming DJs, musicians, artists and creatives. Bringing a bit of McAllen to San Antonio, of us can stay up for purchasing Tropicasa as they are going to be one of many featured distributors on the Texas Market on July 18.
In 2023, DJ Flacucho launched Radio Tropicasa, an internet radio broadcast that platforms native and worldwide rising expertise. By means of this venture, he has efficiently documented over 50 DJs on YouTube, SoundCloud & Twitch. Upholding a robust perception that artists are on the forefront of financial change and pilots for radical concepts, Flacucho has additionally helped steward greater than 175 occasions since 2020, together with gallery reveals, drag reveals, runways and reside music occasions. To take heed to a few of Flacucho’s tracks, take a look at his SoundCloud.
Equally, DJ Mala Mia (also called Oscar Becerra) has held residencies in over 10 golf equipment round Brownsville and the higher Rio Grande Valley space. By means of his involvement within the underground membership scene with events like BASSMNT and Sabrosura, he has helped create a bridge from Brownsville to McAllen. All through his profession, he has shared the stage with notable acts together with Gordo, Dos Flakos, P0110, Flamingo en Tutu, & Brenda. To take heed to a few of Mala Mia’s tracks, go to his SoundCloud.
Q&A with Pedro Rodriguez (DJ Flacucho) and Oscar Becerra (DJ Mala Mia)
Q: The place are you from and has your upbringing framed or impressed your strategy to music?
PR: I’m initially from a small metropolis referred to as Alamo and presently residing in McAllen. As a baby, my household moved round rather a lot, and I bought to expertise residing in numerous cities like Pharr, Donna, Pasadena and Batavia (Illinois). Again then, my father helped run gentle manufacturing for Tejano artist Cali Carranza (RIP), so you may think about Tejano and Cumbias bumpin’ within the background of each automobile trip and household get-together. Naturally, Latin music has run by way of my veins since I used to be a child. DJing grew to become an extension of that and impressed me to include it into my units with different underground sounds.
OB: I name Brownsville my dwelling, raised in Matamoros, South of the border, till the age of 13. My childhood’s soundtrack primarily got here from my grandma, my mother and my two tias, who I lived with on the time. There have been numerous Mexican oldies combined with tons of pop/rock en Español from the late ’90s-’00s. My teenagers have been consumed by watching clips of dance battles and tutorials on YouTube of tecktonik, home dance, b-boy and popping, in addition to going to regional occasions and even internet hosting my very own tournaments. Right now, my model of DJing consists of something from clean grooves to hard-hitting beats, and I are usually extra pushed by making individuals wish to dance. However I actually like to sprinkle some private nostalgia at one level or one other throughout a set.
Q: How did you get began in your profession as a DJ and what has stored you motivated to proceed as a creator within the trade?
PR: I first bought launched to DJing in my early school years circa 2009. Throughout that point, numerous my friends have been placing collectively events in locations like Austin, Monterrey and McAllen; this impressed me to create and type my very own initiatives like Sabrosonico, The Collective Unconscious, Love & Magick, and now Tropicasa. The Valley has given me a lot room to do all of this work and meet so many individuals alongside the way in which. I’m grateful. I couldn’t think about having accomplished this anyplace else. And although our market is small, tough and infrequently neglected, the smallest strikes right here could make the best influence. Shoutout to Soundcream Airstream, Perreo Membership, Noir777, and Loko Musik for retaining me within the rotation and exhibiting me love!
OB: Going again to these highschool years discovering self-expression by way of motion, I bear in mind seeing all of the dope DJs at these occasions and it actually piqued my curiosity. Naturally, my library was stuffed with all kinds of music present in these occasions and movies. And so, with a cracked model of digital DJ, I began messing round with studying the right way to combine them. Quick ahead a few years, and I discover myself doing DJ streams on Fb throughout the lockdown. When this was lastly lifted, a few residencies got here my means in addition to beginning a month-to-month get together “BSSMNT” the place the primary purpose was to provide DJs of various expertise ranges an area to play something their coronary heart wishes, and for individuals to come back and dance. That venture has made it potential to satisfy and community with so many artistic individuals all around the valley that I’ll not have in any other case, and seeing what these guys are doing down within the valley for what they love is unquestionably one thing price being attentive to.
Q: DJing gives people with a possibility to change into extra engaged of their respective communities by way of attending varied occasions. All through your expertise as a DJ, what have you ever realized in regards to the significance of group?
PR: Group is essential and at all times altering. I believe recently with the rise of social media and id politics it’s change into troublesome to navigate group due to the competitors, in-fighting and divisiveness on the web. As DJs, it’s essential to acknowledge this and construct dancefloors that don’t alienate. I’ve skilled and witnessed actions fracture as a result of there was a lot emphasis on phrases and id markers however not on the precise which means and objective of “group”. I’d wish to see the world and DJ tradition be much less disposing of each other. Group is essential once we are practising it and doing the troublesome work, not simply advertising it.
OB: I’ve realized the true which means of group is greatest proven when somebody who types a part of that group goes by way of some hardships of their life and different members make an effort to alleviate a few of these hardships in the easiest way they will. I’ve skilled it, and I’ve seen it. It’s easy. A real group doesn’t depart no one behind, they elevate one another up.
Q: What’s a venture you’re presently engaged on that you’re enthusiastic about?
PR: I’m actually excited in regards to the fill-a-bag collection I’ve been internet hosting at Tropicasa each Sunday. It’s a fairly cool setup: you pay a small charge ($5-$10) and get to dig by way of bins of curated classic garments whereas listening to completely different DJs. I invite a particular visitor DJ every time which makes it a enjoyable and funky expertise as a result of they get to play what they usually wouldn’t within the membership.
OB: DJ Mala Mia: There are two huge issues occurring quickly! I’ll be backpacking round Mexico in September and October with out an intention to the touch any decks in any respect. I wish to be merely a fan on the dancefloor. I wish to search for inspiration for future initiatives. I wish to discover new recent sounds. After that, I’ll be going again to highschool, in Austin (ACC). I’m wanting on the music/enterprise program to be taught extra in regards to the behind-the-scenes and trade requirements in a correct setting for the primary time.
Q: What’s a false impression you assume individuals have about DJing which you can discredit?
PR: DJing has come a good distance with new environments like listening rooms, radio broadcast areas, and sober areas. The membership has been outgrown! Publish-club is now a factor. Whereas some may assume DJing is nearly alcohol, partying, and forgetting, to me it’s truly about forging new friendships, rising, educating and studying extra in regards to the world round me. With DJing being extra accessible than it was again then, it’s additionally simple for nearly anybody to be taught. It’s not as troublesome because it appears, and everyone seems to be welcome. Play any style you need; the dancefloor is your backyard!
OB: The checklist of misconceptions about DJing is lengthy and it varies relying on who you ask. I consider numerous us might fall into a few of these at occasions if we’re not paying consideration, I do know I’ve. It’s simple to get blinded by the lights, particularly for those who’re not surrounding your self with the appropriate individuals. One of the best ways to discredit misconceptions is by doing the work, taking a step again, and really taking the time to self-reflect and lock in with my targets – keep away from getting complacent and stay grateful that I get to do what I do.
What can individuals count on to expertise at your set on Thursday and what are you most enthusiastic about in acting at Sound Cream Sundown Classes?
PR: I’m coming in with some sizzling vitality so be prepared. A lot of new international membership sounds particularly from South America, plus some enjoyable blends. I’m actually tremendous excited to be again in San Antonio’s embrace; the town at all times receives me with such constructive vitality and y’all actually know the right way to work a dancefloor.
OB: I hold listening to the dancefloor vitality is insane on the market. Unbelievably, this might be my San Antonio debut! Anticipate to get bouncy with it and take just a few left turns with me, don’t be scared to swerve into them!
Upcoming lineup
July: Sounds of South Texas
