We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan Alfredo Rios-Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan Alfredo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel like people tend to see me as a risk taker, but in reality, I like to play it safe and be deliberate. Taking risks is important, yet I tend to recognize when there’s no chances to succeed; so to be safe, I work intensely on building a strong groundwork and if I know that I can’t fly I won’t even try. More than being good at taking risks, I’m great taking opportunities

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am very proud of always showing up to new places, adapting at high speed, and delivering with professionalism. I did not start at an early age, and had no formal music educational background. It was 2002, was 21 and attending School of Dentistry in Monterrey, Mexico when I used to skip my classes to hangout with my musician friends during their rehearsals. Out of boredom, one day I sat on the drum set and realized I could play for real, and forever. I started adding songs to my library, and going to cover bands auditions. Self taught came natural to me, now I realize it was discipline.
My ability to adapt, adopt, and rework my style came handy 8 years later when I decided to look for luck in Austin, Tx. With no English, a lot of insecurities, and more cultural shock than I would have imagined, I started from zero. I kickstarted my American journey with a latin band called Monoz, but I was desperate to get more work. Street performances was the way to go, and they gave me exposure to local people and refined my skills of combining DJ and drumming. My resiliency grew stronger as I started sending emails to contacts and to ads on Craigslist. Finally, I got an audition for Love Hate Affair and got the gig, but I didn’t have a drumkit or a car, so I am forever thankful with Mando Lopez who provided both for me. With the help of my partner at the time who served as my interpreter, I then got an audition for Mobley, and again, got the gig. We got on tour and the road forced me to learn English. Looking back, I am truly pleased with my ability to turn survival mode into learning and adaptation. I stayed with Mobley roughly six year, and it was time to take another direction. I started getting invitations to diverse projects, and ended up meeting Nelson Valente Aguilar who invited me to join Como las Movies. Then, just like a snowball, projects started to grow. In 2018 my friends Oscar, Héctor and I started Easy Compadre!; in 2019 I made my first interactive sound installation called Found Sound Objects. And the Covid brought weird times, but things accelerated faster this time, and in 2021 I got invited by Henna Chou to participate in New Media Art & Sound Summit (NMASS). One night that I will always be grateful for, and all good energies aligned, was that same year. After reconnecting with Mobley, he invited me to perform a few songs with him for Blues on the Green. Producer Carey Modern Medicine happened to be on the side stage, he got my contact info. A few months later he put together an LCD Soundsystem tribute band, he pinged me and of course I said yes. Rhythm section was Zac Catanzaro and Jackie O’Brien, a couple of rehearsals later and after a mind-blowing performance, I got invited to join The Bright Light Social Hour 🤯.

I am still learning a lot through all processes and situations, but I am definitely trying to be more intentional, be prepared for the right moment, to always be ready to take the opportunities. Or maybe to make every moment an opportunity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
-There’s a Ping Pong table on 5th street by Cosmic Saltillo that I used to have matches with Henna and Oswaldo ( I need to get back there)

-Almost Real Things headquarters to check art exhibits combined with the best interactive art parties.

-How Much?! Studios is a recording studio that allows creatives to make showcases, parties and if you follow them you’ll get updates of upcoming events, currently we are in the mixing an edition process of our live album record that we made recently with my band Easy Compadre!

– Fraziers, great hot dogs, cold drinks and pool table

-Ramen Tatsuya. They have multiple locations and I always get #4 Miso Hot and a Kirin.

-Tacos El Charly. If the name of the taco truck it comes with “El” (The) that might be a signal that tacos are gonna be good, I’m glad that time I asked @helloisandrewphoto about a post of a picture of those good looking tacos. Bring Cash (another sign of a good taco place)

-Paprika. Mago is a great host and always with the best attitude, everything is great but my combo is 2 Suadero tacos and 1 NopalitosTaco, Just do it.

– Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt is my calm spot, is a nice short and accesible hike.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For supporting and for accepting whatever I decided to do: Thanks Mom♥️ and Dad🖤 For getting me into music: Tnx to my friends in Monterrey Sergio, Luis, Arturo, Dany, Cliff …
For being my mentor on the entertainment industry: Bebo Hinojosa A la queee loco!???
For allowing me to create exceptional art and lively experiences, I thank my band mates at Easy Compadre!, Como las Movies,The bright light social hour and Starflake.
And for vivaciously capturing every moments through their cameras: Ish, Andrew, Tico, Juanjo, Oswaldo, Héctor, Thanks!

Website: https://www.easycompadre.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chidomachine/

Linkedin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgZOJsS_2Lg

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=048MydFFB60

Image Credits
All pics by Ismael Quintanilla III

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.