Meet Daniel Reyes and Chris Magallon of Duderella in East LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Reyes and Chris Magallon.

Daniel and Chris, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Dan: Growing up I always felt connected to music; dancing at family parties, singing along to the Disney movies and whatever was on the radio. And that passion has never let up. I had a couple bands since graduating high school and Duderella is the latest frontier for me as an artist.

I started this project in 2013 alone with a bass and drum machine. This project began in response to my band at the time crumbling I needed music I needed to create and perform. It wasn’t until 2017 that Chris Magallon got involved in terms of creating with me. He’d always recorded me and other musicians and artists. We recorded “chrysalis” (our last album) together and I was performing the tracks over speakers whenever Chris couldn’t play some of the shows.
I like what I was doing and what I was exploring as an artist but I also wanted to perform with someone something was just missing. An energy. Since then Chris and I have been playing and making music together.

We’ve had a lot of help from the queer community and I’m very blessed for that. It’s like this family thing I can’t really describe it. Olivia (runs queer as punk) has helped us in so many ways. her and queer as punk have done so many great things making sure everyone has a safe space to express themselves. Other artist and curators that have helped us are Jordyn Kramer and Peter Kalisch (who run queerspace la) These two amazing beings have always shown us support as well as so many other performers in LA.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Dan: (laughs) definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing especially in the early days of  DUDERELLA My band prior to this broke up in a messy way  I felt like an outcast for a while I still do.

Getting shows after that was severely difficult for me I don’t know if people just didn’t understand or if that person had a helping hand in that but it was pretty demoralizing. As a performer it feels like limbo sometimes waiting to hear a yes.

Chris: I always saw the vision Dan had for himself and sometimes it was beyond him at that moment and for me. But as long as you have vision and most importantly drive then you can make the most happen with very little. That’s what I’m all about and decided to have both feet in with Dan because I trust his opinion and especially his vision. It was a tiny bit of a struggle in the way to make it work live but once we did, it was on.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Duderella – what should we know?
Chris: DUDERELLA is in your face, raw energy that leaves everything on the floor. I’m able to play as loud and as fast as I want to and that’s just to keep up with Dan. Usually we have our audience participate by putting them on the spot and having em play keys or bass for us. Some get it some don’t but it’s the energy and getting a sonic snap-shot of their souls which is also why I fucking love recording music. We’re all about the energy and live experience. I feel that if it was up to us we’d always play live.

Dan: We’re your new favorite band! Well, I came up with the name Duderella while watching Barbarella. I play bass, keys, sing, and write lyrics & Chris Magallon plays drums and keys and records and mixes and plays like every instrument in the world. Jk but not really. I would have to say I’m most proud of the material we’re working on right now. I think what sets us apart from others is our live energy.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Olivia Gonzales, Peter Kalisch, Jordyn Kramer have all played major roles in where we are right now. They gave us a platform they gave us space to express ourselves when other clubs didn’t. QAP <3 queerspaceparty <3

Rudy mora, Rudy six, Eddy rotten, mellow thing, Allen Falcon. And of course Chris Magallon. He’s become a close friend he’s helped me in exploring and he’s given me that gift of being able to make something with another person. I’ve known him since high school He’s actually the first person to record me. He’s a GOAT.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PgHMYRib4bAO5uxGBf7Xv
• Instagram: duderella_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duderella/

Image Credit:
Tross Robles, Roxanne Medina

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