Chris Diaz Music

Yesterday morning, I was invited to play with the UT mariachi and conjunto ensembles at the unveiling of a monument on the grounds of the state capital in Austin, TX. It was a crazy day. I had a total of 4 gigs between the two ensembles, and spent a lot of time running around and changing in between sets. It was exhausting. So much so that I just came home last night and slept until noon. But, I had a lot of fun being part of such an event, and really enjoyed playing traditional music for such a large and enthusiastic audience.

I first performed with the conjunto ensemble, and had the opportunity to sing and play bajo sexto. We did great, and I was really proud of how we sounded together. Immediately after, I had to try and throw on my mariachi traje, and run over to the other side of the area to join that band. I was throwing gritos, singing, and contributing guitar to this group. After we warmed up the crowd, we hung around to play some patriotic music (in our own style) for the ceremonies.

Once the dedication was finished, we had two other gigs throughout the city for potential patrons and donors to the UT mariachi program. Although I will be graduating this Spring, I think that our efforts will make a difference for future generations of longhorn musicians, as the room was buzzing with talk of several thousands of dollars being donated and generated for our struggling program.

People often ask me what the importance of music is.  Had you been able to attend the tejano monument unveiling, perhaps you would not need to ask.  The sense of pride that you could see in the peoples eyes made every note sound that much sweeter.  It was a great day.

You can see me here at the 0:38 mark:

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/144924735.html

Okay, okay…I know that the title of this post is a little pretentions (especially considering the source), but I was really proud of how our band performed this year at the 13th Annual Heart of Texas Rockfest. We weren’t an official SXSW artist, but then again, I dont think that really matters. Most people in Austin that week dont care much for why you are playing where, but usually just like stumbling upon some free jams. As my family came down from DFW to support, there were also a lot of new fans in the audience, jamming along to what we were doing. I saw a lot of heads and feet bopping to the beat, and one really excited guy tried to get the lighters going in the air…it was just too windy. Our set went off without a hitch, and sounded pretty great considering we didn’t even get a sound check. I know we at least touched a few people, and we had a great time being a part of downtown Austin on St. Paddys Day.

After the show I met a really cool cat. He was a member of the 13:1 rock band out of Delaware who would be playing later that night, but he was also really enthusiastic about our set. He came and gave us so much positive feedback about our performance, and told us that we were the change of pace needed for the venue. I was worried we were a bit out of our element, but he made me realize that any music you put your heart into has a place in a rock festival. Although we didn’t stay late enough to see their show, I wish them well, and know that musicians with that kind of attitude are usually the most likely to succeed.

I know most people use their spring break to party and get crazy, but this year, I have been spending time in DFW taking advantage of the opportunity to get in as many rehearsals as possible with my band. We have a show coming up on St. Paddys Day in downtown Austin, and are trying to be as tight and entertaining as possible for the droves of people who flock to ATX during this time of the year. We have rehearsal tonight and Thursday, then we drive down on Friday to get ready for our Saturday gig. Come out and enjoy some great original music (absolutely no covers), and stop by the Heart of Texas Rockfest on the corner of 7th & Neches. Im sure it will be an awesome day!

Upon one of my many round trip drives between Austin and Dallas, I could no longer deny the utter stupidity that people display while in their vehicles.  I dont know how many times someone has made me the order of their passing, and then, of course, cause me to slow down once they are in front of me.  I’m sure of it; I’m on cruise control and suddenly have to break my steady pace in order to keep a reasonable following distance while moving at 70-80mph.  Why did you just HAVE to get in front of me if you wanted to go slower than I am?  Are we racing?  In all honesty, I just like to set my cruise control at a steady 5-10mph over the limit, throw on some Steely Dan, and try to make the best of my 3 hour solo journey as captain of my ship.  What’s the rush?  Once traffic bunches up down the line, you literally have only gained seconds ahead of me.  While on the subject…what’s the deal with following distance?  I have seen people following so close on the highway that I’m in shock when I find out that they aren’t being pulled by the car in front of them.  At the speeds we are going, they are gonna get killed.  People cut me off in spaces that are so close that they are missing my bumper by inches.  I partially blame NASCAR.  I do live in TX…for the moment.  I dont think it is much better anywhere else in the country, but the way people drive is the ultimate expression of selfishness and self-centeredness.  I can not understand how willing they are to risk lives in order just to go a litte bit faster, or to be in front of another driver…especially when it yields absolutely no time saving.  Having said all of that, I have decided that I reject the socially accepted rules of the road, and have adopted my own.  They make the most sense, and I propose their role as a replacement to what we have now could save lives and save time.

1.  Just because you want to go ridiculously fast and ride my tail, does not mean that I should get out of your way.

Who are you, and why should I submit to your desire to drive like a fool?  Im steady at 10mph over the limit…you wanna go any faster than that? YOU should be the one to weave through traffic.  I dont see why I gotta bounce all over the highway, just because I dont want to drive like a madman or drive 55mph in the left side trapped in a field of semi trucks.  Besides, the constant changing of lanes is the dangerous aspect of the behavior.  If you wanna drive fast and don’t mind that danger, go all the way, cowboy up, and weave all over the place while the rest of us kick back to a little Aja.  At the very basic heart of the argument is the collective contribution to the ridiculousness of someone else’s actions.  If you want to drive 20-30mph over the limit, why should we as society help you break that law?  I think we should keep you down where we are, instead of enabling the problem and getting out of your way.

2.  Following space laws need to be just as enforced and fined as speed laws.

I literally feel like I’m just trying to keep myself alive sometimes when I’m on my way home. People don’t understan that I dont tailgate by choice, and dont feel like I have to direct the speed of the drive.   When they are constantly jumping in my space, I can not maintain what is safe and have to slow down.

3.  Cruise control is mandatory, if you have it on your car.

If you are committed to a long drive, there is no reason to think you have to drive as aggressively as you do in the city.  If everyone just kicked back at a steady pace, traffic would move so fluidly, that we would ALL save more time with less accidents, and a more steady rate of motion among those on the road at that time.

Thats my rant for now.  Perhaps I’m getting old…then again…perhaps I’m just getting wiser

For the first time, this year, I attended the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX.  Being only an hour away in Austin made it somewhat of an inconvenient commute, but when I arrived, I knew that it was all worth it.  The best way I could describe the venders area would be as guitar center times 1,000.  Every single instrument, whether band, classical, or digital was there, and lots of new products that I had never seen.  I imagined that it would be something like NAMM, but with a focus on EVERY single thing musical possible.  So many different string producers, horn makers, and drums.  There were software programs designed to let marching band directors plan their marching plans on basketball courts and football fields.  There were automated vehicles for handicap musicians.  It was inspiring to see so many different things that could provide so many different ideas as an educator.  I also decided to sign up for TAME (Texas Association of Mariachi Educators).  I hope to have as much information as possible ready to go when I graduate, so that I may start a program wherever I land.  There were so many clinics that I couldnt even begin to try to see them all.  I sat in on a few, and went on looking at all of the products and technology available.  I got a lot of cool ideas that Im going to take with me, and no matter where I live, Im thinking this will be an annual trip for me from now on.