David Garza Interview: SXSW 2010

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David Garza is no stranger to SXSW. A favorite of Texas' alternative music scene, Garza will play at SXSW for the tenth consecutive year.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Well, it's pretty artsy-fartsy. No, honestly, I would say my sound is just "me." I don't think I really sound like anyone else, although I am inspired by many musicians and styles of music. My sound is Tex Mex, it's Latin and harmonic. There is a sweetness to it. My sound has always been too mainstream for the Tejano and Tex Mex audience but I've never been mainstream enough to appeal to the average rock 'n' roll fan.

How did you begin playing music?

There was always music in my house growing up in Irving, Texas. I knew I wanted to play music for the rest of my life by the time I was seven years old. I started playing the piano, and eventually the guitar, and never stopped. I was hooked.

What are your musical influences?

When I was younger, I grew up around Tejano, Tex Mex and classical music. But I was also a child of the '80s. But I got older, MTV came out, and soon I was listening to all kinds of music like the Stray Cats, Depeche Mode and Black Sabbath.

How did you come up with your band name?

I stuck with my name because it's mine. It's honest, like music. No moniker needed.

What's your biggest vice?

Honesty and candor.

What's in your festival survival kit?

A wrist band and a black shirt. And this year I am going to be carrying around an exclusive EP to hand out. It's sort of a "best of" compilation of my work over the past decade and will only be available at SXSW.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Beethoven. I draw inspiration from so many different types of music.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Some of the best times I've ever had was when I played with friends at a this crazy club in Waco called Buzzard Billy's. It's closed now but I had some of the best times there. There was always a cool, college-aged crowd and a $5 cover got you into the club and drinks all night. We recorded live from that club and to this day it's still some of my best work.

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