By: April Hernandez
Lux Izquierdo has been passionate about music since they were a young kid. Originally from Mexico, they now bring their cool pop-rock vibes to the Tri-Cities with their music project, Mintlights. In a recent interview, Lux gave us all the details of their musical journey.
Q. What motivated you to pursue a music career?
A. My dad was a pianist, so when I was like three or four, I saw him play. I really like the way he played and just like, the whole feeling that he would put when playing the piano. I really wanted to learn, and so he started teaching me a little bit until, you know, I had reached the point of him not being able to teach me. So I went into classes, piano lessons. From there, I was like, oh I want to learn the guitar now. I don’t know, I just started writing here and there – random things – as, like, a 12-year-old.
Q. How did you know the genre of music you make was the right choice for you?
A. I think it’s just how it felt. It felt right when I played and when I sang it. I used to listen to a lot of pop-rock Mexican music. I also like pop-rock music in English. But then I had a band when I was like 15 and they were the ones that introduced me to a little bit more of what I write now.
Q. Who are your musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
A. Paramore is a big one. Anything that Haley Williams writes, that’s kind of where I get my influence from, and I really admire her. Also, I would say Queen, Freddie Mercury.
Q. What were some turning points in your career that helped you get to where you are today?
A. Definitely coming to the U.S. A lot of times, when I played in Mexico at a festival or something, not a lot of people would stop and listen because it’s not the kind of music they like. Some people do listen to Paramore, Foo Fighters, or things like that, but it’s rare; it’s not popular music [in Mexico]. Once I came here, I got more engagement from the audience.
Q. How has the rise of social media and streaming platforms impacted your career?
A. It’s been interesting mostly because it has helped me build a wider platform that I would not have had. It’s nice to have it just so that I can promote music, promote upcoming gigs, or just keep in touch with the audience. But it’s also had a little bit of a negative impact, especially on my mental health because I tend to be like, oh no I should have more engagement by now. People are not liking my posts, or I’m not getting enough views, or I don’t have enough followers, [it] makes you feel like you’re not doing enough.
Q. Is there a dream collaboration you’d love to pursue in the future?
A. I would love to collaborate with Paramore and also The Lumineers. They are pretty cool, and I would say they kind of also influence my music. So, they would also be cool to collaborate with.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the industry, and how have you grown from them?
A. One of the biggest challenges for me has been finding the right audience for my music. A lot of times – especially up here [in Midland] – the genre is mostly country. So, when I start playing a Fall Out Boy song, they’re not interested because they want to hear Garth Brooks or something like that. That’s kind of hard when you see people just leaving. But the way to approach the problem is to find a place where I feel welcomed, where I don’t feel pressured to play certain songs. So, getting into places where I notice that more people engage with my music and with me.
Q. How do you stay true to yourself and your artistic vision in a competitive industry?
A. Just playing the music that makes me happy. The songs that I write, but I also play covers. That keeps people engaged, but they also get a taste of who I am through my original songs.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring singers/songwriters looking to make a name for themselves?
A. Keep pushing towards the dream. Write for yourself, don’t write for clickbait. Write for an audience who relates to your personal experiences. That’s so important that your music stays true to you as long as it makes you happy.
Q. What’s your favorite song (of yours or someone else’s) to sing in the shower?
A. Somebody to Love by Queen. Whenever I have the chance to bring my piano to a gig, or if there’s a piano where I can play at a gig, that’s one that I usually go with. It’s so good!
