Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Chavez.
Gracie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I got my start as a music journalist and contributing writer to national music magazines in the late ’90s. Eventually, DJing started as a hobby for me. In that time, I had a family and a career in advertising I was focused on. It wasn’t until 2007 or so that I started taking playing music more seriously.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
By 2009, fellow DJ OG Bobby Trill and I had dabbled in playing select Latin-inspired music in our DJ sets. To be honest, there weren’t many places to play a solid set of cumbia and music in that same vein in H-town. So, when DJ Navó came along in 2010, we solidified Bombón as a DJ crew and began producing our tropical bass party under the same name.
At the time, a “Latin night” like this was unprecedented in Houston. It developed into a night void of pretenses, boundless in sounds, genres, energy, and, more importantly, one that was open to all. Our monthly Bombón parties were very inclusive and highly interactive. It began attracting a crowd so diverse that only a city like ours could offer something like this.
By 2016, I had won Houston Press’ Best DJ award and continued to foster up-and-coming talent through my all-female DJ crew Les Femmes and contributions Girls Rock Camp Houston summer camp. Most recently, I teamed up with fellow music-lover/fest producer and all-around badass Marissa Saenz to start a multicultural marketing agency.
But I realize that what I’m probably best known for is my passion project Bombón. I’d like to think that Bombón pioneered the return of cumbia to Houston, giving way to new music, musicians and producers that reflect our present experience as Latinos in Texas. In over eight years, the crew has grown from a group of DJs — myself, Navó and OG Bobby Trill — into a collective of talented individuals, musicians, and artists creating music that radiates beyond borders. To help realize that intent, last year, Bobby and I launched our label, Bombón Music, along with a series of original “Screwmbia” releases architected by none other than Principe Q, nephew of the late Cumbia Queen Selena.
So on November 3rd, during the Dias de Los Muertos holiday, we celebrate our 8th anniversary at the House of Blues Houston. We hope y’all can join us, too!
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
I’ve had great opportunities present themselves to nurture talent. So, when I get approached for advice or some type of “blueprint” for success, I’ll usually respond with, “Do you think you’re working hard and trying your best?” And that holds more true for a woman of color because we have to work three times as hard as our male counterparts in their space. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to go after something you truly believe in. And sometimes that goes a long way, even over just talent.
I guess if there was anything I wished I’d learned earlier is to have believed in myself a lot sooner. Sometimes we feel like there’s a prescribed path we’re supposed to follow. I was perhaps distracted by those expectations. But thankfully, it’s been this innate fire in me that has speared me on to branch out beyond my comfort zone to express myself and continue to collaborate.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can hear my collection of remixes and mixtapes on SoundCloud/graciechavez. And find our Bombón music and playlists on iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud/bombontexas. If you like what you hear, I encourage y’all to follow and share!
And come out to one of my DJ sets or our live performances in Houston and around the Texas area!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.graciechavez.com
- Email: gracie@bombontexas.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/djgraciechavez
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/djgraciechavez
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/djgraciechavez
- Other: www.bombontexas.com
Image Credit:
Marco Torres, Jay Tovar, Doogie Roux,Jessica Alvarenga
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