La Mata shares perspective on music

La Mata is an indescribable force taking Laredo by storm, one rhythm at a time.  The band consists of brothers Sergio and Gabriel Saenz.  Both coming from the humble roots of hard work household/industrial appliance technicians and are now their own bosses.  Both brothers play guitar, Sergio playing electric guitar while Gabriel plays an acoustic guitar along with lead vocal duties.  Alejo Ortiz, a substitute teacher, plays keyboards and as of recent the bass guitar.  I. Cruz playing drums.

  La Mata does what they do according to Gabriel is to "FIGHT!  Fight and not agree and then do it anyway."  Sergio added that they make a sound but it doesn't sound like they anticipated, "Like trying my best attempt at funk or cumbia, that add the flavor."

  La Mata plays for modest reasons.  Sergio shares "I've been played in bands before (Badfish, among others) and now a chance to play with my brother is a dream come true."

 Gabriel shares that the fact is, "We use to do it for fun, 100%.  Cause we had a pool, do a little swimming, get a little drunk.  Agree to a song to jam out to.  Several hours later, before we knew it, we already had three songs.  When you start its going at a momentum more than you can control.  You eventually hit a hill then it depends on if you have enough momentum to go over it."

  Many can argue what La Mata's influences are, musically speaking. Sergio mentions "Anything.  Hank Williams Sr., David Bowie, Tropa Colombiana.  Everything.  Everything."

  Ortiz's influences comes from "Looney Tunes." Ortiz points to Serigo.  "Soundgarden, Nirvana" is who Ortiz shares with us.  Gabriel's influence include "Tom Petty, Busta Rhymes,.  Anyone who came up with anything original.  Onyx!  Remember Onyx?"

   Sergio throws in that he is also influenced by any sounds from the outside on the streets.  "A distant carne asada.  An open window to an apartment."  Gabriel also contributes, "Like Billy Idol, trying to do punk but actually singing something."

  As for the future plans for La Mata, Sergio lets us in on his perception.  "I hope there's a future, try to do this as long as I can." 

Ortiz's view is, "God knows and tomorrow is all I know of." 

Gabriel lets out a loud whistle as he says,  "I don't know man.  The future is what it is uncertain.  All I know for sure is I might be here, I might not."

   Gabriel did want me to mention Emerson Lee, his pet guinea pig, passed away last week.  They had a three and a half year friendship.  "Dude, we were looking for a girlfriend for him!" he exclaims.

  La Mata can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lamatalaredo