Interview: Chavela’s Year-Long Journey to Find Their Place in the San Antonio Music Scene
With smooth vocals and intense blues-inspired guitar solos, Chavela brings a new flavor into the local scene.
Written by Catalina Pozos
Photos by Erika Ramirez
Chavela started as the solo project of Isa Paillao. In Spanish tradition, Chavela is a common nickname for the name Isabela, so her stage name came naturally. Last March, it became the name of the full band, which currently consists of Padillo on vocals and guitar, Matthew Olivares on guitar, and Jeffrey Tinajero (JT) on drums. As Chavela approaches the one year anniversary of their formation, the band’s members reflect on their growth and look forward to their future.
Lead singer and guitarist Isa Paillao
Chavela is relatively new. Can we get the low down on your history and style?
Isa: I started Chavela in March of last year and we had our first show in April, coincidentally on 4/20. For a while, our style was kind of hard to [define] ‘cause I was trying to explore different genres. Now it’s a soul band, I guess, but without a horn section.
Matt, what is your goal as co-writer of Chavela’s music?
Matt: Just to make something that sounds good. I don’t try to change that stuff [Isa] already has written. I just add in whatever’s necessary and try not to take over.
Guitarist Matthew Olivares
What Chavela music is out there for the masses to listen to?
Isa: I have solo stuff on SoundCloud and we started working on the duet we have that we play in our set. As for new stuff, we have four shows next month but I kinda wanna take a break, write new stuff, finish recording, and hopefully get a small EP out by summer. Most of the songs I’ve written have come at random, like I just get an idea when I’m playing guitar. And when I write lyrics it’s the same thing. Sometimes I hear a line and think, “that was clever,” and try to do a play on words.
How do you feel about the progress the band has made in the past year?
Isa: I’ve gotten farther than I thought I would in a year. I was hoping that in two years I’d be where I am now. I didn’t think we would play Paper Tiger, a bigger venue in San Antonio, within a year. There’s a lot of places that I wanted to play that I’ve already gotten to. I’m good with where I’m at, I don’t know where we’re headed but I think that we’re relevant I guess you could say.
How does Chavela differ from other bands you guys play with?
Matt: I like the pace of it — it’s a little slower than my other band The Palm Trees and just exploring different music with Isa is a different experience.
Isa: I think that’s something I’ve struggled with ‘cause I’ve always wanted a unique sound and I’m still trying to find that. I don’t think there’s a lot of female-fronted bands that sound like this.
Interview has been minimally edited for clarity and length.
Listen to Chavela on SoundCloud and find them on Instagram @chavelasmusic.