Mendoza to rock the Artisan
Published Feb. 16, 2007
Energetic St. Louis-based singer/songwriter Javier Mendoza describes his acoustic, roots-rock sound, gathered on the streets of St. Louis and the Spanish coast, as "trans-national pop, very rhythmic." He will bring this distinctive combination of pop rock, folk, soul and Spanish rock to the Cherry Street Artisan for an intimate live show at 9 p.m. today.
Mendoza is a musical sponge, drawing from not only his background but from British psych-rock and American country standards as well.
"Pink Floyd is a huge influence of mine," Mendoza said. "I grab from so many people. Lately, Johnny Cash has really inspired me for the new album."
On his new album, due out next month, Mendoza broadened his horizons not only in his sound but also in the recording process, which included flamenco artists and a flamenco producer.
"Actually, what was really interesting about it was I wrote my most, I think, 'American' folk-pop because I started listening to Johnny Cash, a lot of Ray LaMontagne," Mendoza said. "And when I went to Spain, we blended that American folk-pop with flamenco and electronica."
Originally from St. Louis, Mendoza found his niche in the Midwest because he felt he provides a distinctive sonic experience and cultural blend that is not often seen in this part of the country.
"I don't know of anybody (in the Midwest) that's doing any kind of Spanish rock music," Mendoza said. "If you hear Spanish, it's going to be salsa or meringue or some other folklore kind of thing."
Mendoza plays mostly in intimate club venues or in college environments such as Columbia. He said there is a distinctive college crowd that finds his sound appealing.
"Where I play, you do have that college crowd that is looking for something a little different, a little more eclectic, and I think that's where I come in," Mendoza said."
In addition to tours around the Midwest, Mendoza has played with heavy-hitters including Ben Folds, Los Lobos and the Roots.
"Ben Folds was amazing," Mendoza said. "His show was just phenomenal. And Los Lobos was just an amazing experience because we played in front of about 30,000 people."
But perhaps Mendoza's most significant brush with fame came in 1999, when he played a concert for Pope John Paul II. He recalled feeling enthralled by the former pontiff's presence.
"When he came in, he had something," Mendoza said. "He had a different energy. He definitely was enlightened, so it was a really powerful moment for me and a privilege to be able to do that."
Although Mendoza will continue to play club and college shows in the Midwest, he will also kick off a larger tour after the new album's release on March 30.
"The highlight right now is the CD release," Mendoza said. "It's the album that's taken me the longest because I've worked on it in two places, and it's been such an experimental experience that it took about a year to complete."
Patrons can expect to hear some material from the new album tonight. Mendoza said he almost exclusively performs original material, and when he chooses covers, often they are still from more obscure artists.
He said fans can expect a show with "a lot of energy, a lot of lyrics, and just a lot of power, I think, in the music."