Some people rely on Myspace to make thousands of new friends, including some guy named Tom, in less than an hour. Others use it to get discovered. Los Hollywood, a trio including Heidy (vocals), Gustavo (drums), and Marcos (guitar/bass) decided to take a high school hobby they shared and show it off to the world. The group’s fusion of British rock, Spanish pop, and girlish, heartbreaking vocals captivated the public in June 2008, when they won a battle of the bands and became sponsored by Myspace Latino. They’ve since shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning Mexican artist Ximena Sarinana, and are currently planning their highly anticipated album launch, a summer tour, and an exclusive performance at the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) in New York City.
Before Los Hollywood hit the road, nocheLatina.com had the chance to speak to two of the three members (Marcos mysteriously disappeared during the threeway phone conversation). The duo discusses their relationship with Myspace, Heidy’s obsession with boys, and why they’re ready to be rock stars.
nocheLatina: How did you guys get started as a band?
Gustavo: Marcos and Heidy used to go to school together and I later met them. We just started jamming and we clicked, so when I was asked to joined the band, I said ‘Of course!’ How could I pass up this chance?
nocheLatina: I noticed that your music has a lot of British rock influences. Why did you choose to go in this direction?
Heidy: One of our influences is The Beatles. We love The Beatles! I think we’re going in that direction because Spanish is my first language, so we want to go with a Latino sound and then go for a crossover. I mean, we’re Mexican, we’re Latinos, but we love British rock as well.
nocheLatina: For those who have never heard your music before, how would you describe it?
Gustavo: It’s hard to explain, but, I will say that it’s a rock, Spanish, English, British, indie-kinda thing going on with some pop in the mix.
nocheLatina: Did you face any challenges as a band starting out?
Heidy: I think we’ve been a very lucky band since the beginning. At first we used to just play rock en espanol or punk, ska, and reggae. Now, we changed our music and people still like it. As a band struggling and making it through the music business? Yeah, there are some ups and downs, but we’ve been lucky on that too. We won the Myspace Latino contest and we’ve been getting a lot of support from Myspace.
Gustavo: The reason I think we’re doing good is because we work hard. We try to put the best show out there every time and we give it our all.
Heidy: We’re going to play at LAMC this year!
nocheLatina: LAMC is a really big deal. It brings huge crowds everyday. How do you feel about that?
Gustavo: We were going to go anyway because that’s the place to be if you’re a Latino artist, but when they told us that we got invited to play, we were so excited.
nocheLatina: Tell me a little more about your experience in winning the first battle of the bands, and getting sponsored by Myspace Latino.
Gustavo: It was a contest that anybody could enter.
Heidy: We were one of the chosen bands, out of eight.
Gustavo: There were four different contests and we were the ones that won in the west coast. After that, the four bands that were chosen had a battle of the bands at the Knitting Factory, and we won! In the next two months we’re going to do a tour with Myspace.
nocheLatina: How do you two feel about the upcoming tour?
Gustavo: It’s going to be our first summer doing this. As a band that’s been together for almost three years, we’re ready to take part in the whole rock ‘n’ roll experience. We’re ready for whatever it takes.
nocheLatina: Where did the inspiration for your single 'No te Aguites' come from?
Gustavo: The song is more of Heidy’s thing about boys and how she falls in and out of love every two months.
Heidy: Oh my God! Actually, the second single is also going to be about another boy, and we’re really excited about recording the video.
nocheLatina: Since nocheLatina.com is all about celebrating nightlife, what are your favorite places to party?
Gustavo: I usually go to a bar with music, those are the best places to check out the local music scene and have a good time.
Heidy: All three of us always hang out with each other, so I’m usually there with the boys.
Gustavo: It’s amazing how we don’t get sick of each other!
nocheLatina: Tell me something that few people know about you guys.
Heidy: For me, it’s hard because I express myself to the fullest. Everyone knows everything about me.
Gustavo: That’s very true! As for me, all I know musically is drums. I tried guitar, but it’s so hard. I guess I’m not that patient.
Heidy: I used to sing ranchero music. When I was a child, I used to hate rock!
Gustavo: Now she can’t live without it.
