Alyssa
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
Deer Vibes, a San Antonio band, is taking the city by storm. This year they won Best Indie Rock Band and this Satuday, they will be performing their latest album, “The Nature of…” with YOSA, the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio. We sat down with Michael Carrillo, aka Mikey Vibe, to talk music, inspiration and San Antonio.
Photo Credit: Brandy Rae Perez
Left to right: Stephen Flores (trumpet), Joseph Erik Montano (viola), Devin De Leon (guitar), Darian Thomas (YOSA alum), Troy Peters (YOSA director), Jordan McCarthy (bass), Michael Carrillo (vocals /guitar), Courtney Jeanette Sanchez (vocals), Kirstian Barboza (drums)
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
Twenty Something SA: Tell us about the partnership with YOSA. How did it come to be?
Michael Carrillo: The compositions I’ve written for Deer Vibes have always been intended for a larger ensemble. We’ve performed for years switching out string and brass section members, and as an “Indie Rock” band we don’t necessarily need to rely on those elements being there one hundred percent of the time. With the recording of our album, however, I got to include all of the musical parts that aren’t usually heard in a live performance. Making the album come to live on stage was my next task. Reaching out to YOSA, I was grateful to learn Troy Peters (the director of YOSA) was interested in working with local bands as well. Troy had set up a Radiohead tribute show at the Tobin Center this year involving a handful of local bands performing alongside YOSA for the event. When we had the opportunity to meet to discuss my idea it all fell into place really quickly! The integration of the local music scene and the classical side of music in San Antonio was the driving force behind making this collaboration work.
20SA: What are you most excited about for the event on Saturday?
MC: I’m really excited about this project coming to life on stage. Finally being able to represent the music and band as I’ve always intended is really so overwhelmingly great.
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
20SA: What do you think the San Antonio music scene is missing?
MC: Personally, I’ve watched the San Antonio music scene grow in a lot of ways over the past few years. We’ve got great venues, great production companies, a new standard of what a “good” band is, and a lot of individual creatives making their own moves for their own projects. At this point in time it’s hard to complain! If I did have to decide, I’d probably say what we are lacking is larger agencies and management for bands. There’s tons of issues that will come with that sort of thing, but right now a lot of bands feel they have to go “outside” of SA to be recognized. In a way that’s true. Either way more change is definitely coming.
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
20SA: What inspires you as an artist?
MC: I really can’t say. I feel like the music I write for Deer Vibes is already inside of me, and whether it’s emotional circumstances, or something as cliche as the weather, when it hits me, I write like it was there all along.
20SA: What’s next for Deer Vibes?
MC: Deer Vibes is on the next big event YOSA will be having, a tribute to The Beatles’ Abbey Road album, which will also take place at the Tobin Center. Other than that, we’re just hoping “The Nature Of…” is well received and may make plans to tour again in spring. I’m going to continue to write on my own time and hopefully make music for a short film or two!
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
20SA: What advice would you give to an aspiring musician in the city?
MC: If you truly decide that music is something you’d like to make a part of your life, something that isn’t just a hobby- take care of the business side of things immediately. Anyone can be in a band, but these days especially, the fate of any musician relies on their own hard work and dedication. It’s a hard road to go down in general, but you have to decide to apply yourself, and get yourself where you want to be.
20SA: Anything else you’d like to add?
MC: Come out this Saturday! It’s truly going to be a once in a life time experience and I hope you can make it!
Photo Credit: Joe Turner Photography
Deer Vibes will be taking over then TwoTen Empire series on Saturday, December 12th at 9 p.m. The local band will debut their first full-length album “The Nature Of…” with members of YOSA providing the backing ensemble. Special guest, Brandon Cunningham Music, will be opening the show. Tickets are $10 and available at the door or at twotenempire.com.