Bakersfield.com

In response to the article, "Local band making a ‘nombre’ for itself"

Bakersfield, California. As much as you love this town, it's not the greatest outlet for culture. A majority of people don't seem to appreciate the arts and entertainment. However, there are people in this town, painting, writing, taking photos, making music, etc. It's important that we encourage these artists to keep doing what they do, for the sake of making a credible town. Using their artistic abilities to promote culture, instead of having residents worry about materialistic things which plagues the city of Bakersfield.

I've had the opportunity to have come to Bakersfield and surround myself with artists and enjoy their productivity. Among these artists is the band on the verge of major success, Velorio. I remember 2 years ago going to a tiny make shift recording studio where I would find future band mates Alvaro Caceres, Benjamin Gomez, and Eric Powers writing and recording songs. Jallah Koiyan, was actually one of the first members I met, and his talent at the drums was made apparent to me immediately after meeting him. Jorge Urbina I worked with in the service industry. His love for music was so strong, that one day I remember him being forty minutes late to work because he could not put down his guitar. Irresponsibility? Maybe to some, but to others that can appreciate art, It was one of the most inspiring things I have ever heard. All of the members of Velorio have so much talent, individually speaking. And if anyone has seen them play together, they come alive and their talent flows freely among each other, into a multiculturalism of sound that is beautifully appeasing. In a town wrecked with racial classes not coming together, Velorio brings people from different backgrounds, into one, using their music to do so.

I was very excited to learn that the band was going to be featured in the newspaper, they could use the publicity, but more importantly, people will be able to find out about them and then hopefully identify with the music they are playing. I wasn't expecting the article to be comparable to a Rolling Stones article, but I was hoping it would deeply touch on the band's message and what they hoped to accomplish as musicians.

Unfortunately, the article ranted about how they play Xbox 360 games, watch bad movies, and drink all night and write songs about it the next day. What a terrible misconception. Having spent a lot of time with Velorio, I know that they all have day jobs, practice up to 14 hours a day, and yeah, do unwind with a little bit of video games. How discrediting is it that a staff writer spent all that time with Velorio, and was only able to come up with that about their band. I think it's the duty of the Bakersfield Californian to promote art in Bakersfield. Writing a lethargic, uncharismatic article is really disappointing especially when Velorio is as ambitious as to bring the cultures of Bakersfield together. The goals, hard work and aspirations of Velorio obviously exceed that of the writer of the article.