Today we’d like to introduce you to Janine Rivera.
Hi Janine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My musician journey started as a young child, listening to my uncles rehearse in their cumbia band, this is where my love for music and rhythms started. I joined the school band as soon as I could and started playing clarinet, it was my real intro into music. I played clarinet for 8 years but would always feel a “pull” from the guitar, I always gravitated towards it. After being inspired by my brother, who was playing classical guitar at the time, I finally decided to put the clarinet down and started to have a serious relationship with the guitar. I loved it so much that I decided to become a classical guitar major. Started with guitar classes, private lessons, and jumped into music theory. Everything I did was music, decided to start singing too. I joined a few choir/voice classes in school and then jumped into a professional choir. After receiving my music degree at the community college here in the desert, I decided to start playing music with my partner at hotels, bars, restaurants, and private events, All of this led me to where I am today. Currently I’m in 3 bands. Las Tias, a duo, that performs classical boleros, rancheras, cumbias, and a mix of Latin American genres, primarily singing and playing guitar. I am also part of Giselle Woo and the Night Owls where I sing backup vocals and play percussion. We play a mix of genres including, blues, rock, ska, reggae, and ballads. We’ve done great things in this band like getting to play Coachella, Joshua Tree Music Festival, and also got to play at our new arena here in the desert, Acrisure Arena. The most recent group I joined is Y La Bamba, I get to play congas and sing some backup harmonies in this group. At the moment we have an all female lineup and it’s been such a treat to play in this group, we recently got to to pen for Alabama Shakes! Lastly, I rejoined the choir I was in during my college years, California Desert Chorale. It’s been a great challenge, getting back into the swing of things. It’s always a treat to get to sing with so many other singers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Music, like the arts in general, has it’s good and hard times. But for the most part, it’s been a smooth journey. I think consistency is the key. It’s not for everyone. I know lots of people I started doing music with that don’t practice it anymore. Over the years people just tend to give up. I can’t. It’s part of who I am, a HUGE part of who I am. I keep going because my spirit and heart needs it. I will perform for anyone that wants to hear it, and that alone, has gotten me places.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Las Tías?
I wanted to talk more about my group Las Tías. We try to keep the music our grandparents listened to alive. We aim to be able to perform for your aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents. Music is the closest thing we have to a time machine. People will come up to us after a show and tell us about a memory they had with a song/songs. A memory of their childhood, or a loved one who is no longer here with us. They will go into detail about what they experienced during the set, and that alone is a reason to keep going. We want to keep this tradition alive and do it justice. We perform at parties, restaurants, hotels, events, anywhere really.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always drawn to music. I remember doing chores around the house, with my CD player in my pocket, singing loud, like I was performing in an arena. I was and am still a little shy, but I have always enjoyed making people laugh. Maybe I’ll write a comedy skit one day if I can work up the nerve to!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: lastiasmusic
- Facebook: lastias
- Youtube: lastiasmusic
