exclusive interview 2010 con Los X$

Exclusive interview 2010, con Los X4.
Cchwnn.
Walking inside somewhere at casa Blanca national park.
Laredo, TX. Hello again raza, I am Blanca Blanch Blanco; here I am on our Texas tour, on chingos de new interviews. This week I am in Laredo, TX. At la casa Blanca national park, here to met up con Johnny Oliva, accordionist/ vocalist for Los X4 conjunto. Now, let’s get to that interview.

BBB: como esta Johnny Oliva and thanks for giving us some time to conduct this interview here at la casa Blanca Park?
JO: Hey Blanca, I’m doing good here and gracias a usted for giving us this interview.

BBB: one of the newest bands in la onda, can you gives a bit of background on how you dudes met up?

JO: Mira Blanca, Los X4 had already existed as Los Cuatro Reales and had been performing around, under Joey Records but like most bands, some musicians come and go. I got called by Salvador Rodriguez our bass player to play accordion, I ended up being the singer and accordionist of the band bringing a new style, therefore a new change and a new name.

BBB: I notice on some of the information I dug up on you guys, and I found out that they call you “al puro gople” is this a band you jam before or a nick name given to you?

JO: "Al Puro Golpe" is a band out of San Antonio, TX. I worked with and struggled with for almost 3 years in keeping it together. When we came out with a CD in 2009 in which we all pitched money to make the album, it was going good. Then suddenly the manager decided to replace me with a new singer, I got lucky and joined Los X4.

BBB: being a conjunto that is established along la Mexican border, does the music from northern Mexico have any influences on your new style of music you guys have going now?

JO: Claro que si, of course. We have many influences such as Ramon Ayalas music, Los Tigirillos, and not to mention Los Cadetes De Linares in which we will be including a poppurri of their music on our newest album.

BBB: I noticed you guys have lots of plans on traveling the country and some in Mexico. What differences do you find with the different audiences that attend your dances, us vs. Mexico folks?

JO: None, I feel both audiences enjoy our music. Even if only one person shows up (which has never happened) but it doesn't matter, if we made someone feel good, we did our job

BBB: what’s the hardest thing you find having a new band, selecting band members, selection of songs, dates to perform and what to wear and on?

JO: Mainly song selections, deciding which songs to practice. We all put our input in song selections when we practice. Robert and I write songs; Robert and Salvador tend to pick more traditional songs as for Jerry and I tend to pick out more modern music. But it all works out good.

BBB: How much time do you guys have to devote to practice?


JO: I would say about 5 hours, every two days in the weekend. But we don't practice in the evening; we practice in the morning due to our busy work schedules. Even though it’s hard because our drummer Jerry sometimes doesn't want to get up from bed. (Laughing)

BBB: what do and your band members want from Los X4?


JO: Work, work, work and keeping our fans happy but the most important is keeping the conjunto/tejano music culture alive for other generations to keep the tradition going.

BBB: I am sure you have heard this question before, where would you like to see los X4 in five years?

JO: We just wish to be around with our fans and making music, si Dios quiere.

BBB: finally, if you were given the chance to speak to young people what would you say to them?


JO: Never give up on a goal. When things don't go your way, it’s only to make you stronger and never wait for an opportunity, create the opportunity.

BBB: I want to thank you for giving us time to conduct this interview and from our hearts to you sir we wish the best of luck con la onda? And give my regards to Salvador, Jerry, and Robert, the other band member of Los X4.

JO: No, al contrario thank you Blanca for this interview saludos a nuestros fans and we invite you all to check out myspace.com/losx4 and we invite you all to check out myspace.com/losx4 and real soon we will be bringing you new music, once again muchisimas gracias. p.s. Jerry said hi from his bed.

BBB: thank you sir, as I prepare to walk back to Kingsville, TX on foot I really did enjoy being back in Laredo, TX. For Chicano cable hot wired news network I am Blanca Blanch Blanco.