The story of (a key) music
A Family Lineage
Music was an important part of my upbringing. Moving to a new country from Peru, we invested in a classical guitar. In his youth my dad Charlie (Carlos) played guitar and in bands, my mother Judy played piano. The story goes, whilst mum packed the clothes and blankets, my dad shoved as many records as he could in between. This was such a pivotal decision and action by Charlie, one that influenced and contributed to shaping us four kids in our new home of Australia. He taught my eldest brother Tato (Carlos Jr) guitar, who then taught Paco (Francisco) and later on Arturo. Music was always being played whether on radio, record, cassette or strumming the guitar. As more family migrated to Australia, my maternal grandparents and mum’s two sisters Charo (who met her Aussie husband Tom in the States) and later Monica, our love of music and community grew. Gatherings with extended family were reminiscent of life in Peru, we upheld the traditions (of generations before) with good food, good laughs and music, we did it well!
My brother Arturo and I (the younger two of the family) were big on singing tunes when we were young. Renditions of whole Beatles albums in long car trips were usual, Please, Please Me and With the Beatles in track order! We also had a portable tape player/recorder where we would record us singing. One which I remember was Surf City by Jan and Dean. In later years we would record songs accompanied by the guitar. Our parent’s record collection of vast genres was influential on us, though Arty became hooked on the Beatles after seeing a TV advert when he was 7, he became fanatic. As Glen Richards from Augie March many years later would say “Arty plays the Beatles better than the Beatles do”. I dug the Mamas and the Papas and along with the Beatles I learnt about harmonies. The concept of ‘Bridges’ in song structure interested me and noticed it in the Beatles and…Debbie Gibson (!). When I was 11 I got her debut album, accompanied by the lyrics I could see she was big on ‘bridges’. Madonna, ONJ, and the Bangles were also big influences to this 80’s child. Soon after Arty bought the Hummingbirds LoveBuzz record and our love of Aussie guitar bands began.
Home recordings began with our Akai hi-fi system that had L-R mic inputs. Whilst, I somehow recorded myself singing along to Saving All My Love by Whitney and I think a Mamas and the Papas song, my brothers being older were more sophisticated. From their memories it was 1986 we borrowed tia Charo’s keyboard, which Arty played a synth sound, Frank on bass, Carlos on guitar and I (with no recollection of it) pressed the button to start the beat on the keys. Carlos’ best friend Steve Hill (may he rest in power) and Arty on vocals. Two INXS songs were recorded, link to that soon. Some years later I upgraded from button presser to being the mic stand…
My relatives (aunts and uncles) were all musical, so it was only natural that the children would embrace and play too. One of my aunts, tia Charo was keyboardist and director for Caribbean Stars for some years in the 90’s. Professionally, an uncle, Jorge Aguilar, lead Salsa director (bass, vocals, composer) for Combo La Revelacion (includes his brother, another uncle Moises Aguilar) were influential in introducing the Latin American music scene in Melbourne from 1986. They played the Latin American clubs before venturing to festivals including the Johnston St (Spanish) Festival and private events. They were the staple band at the Meredith Music Festival since its’ beginnings for 13 years. Combo’s brass section in my unbiased opinion is the BEST BRASS SECTION! Another dear uncle who was based in the U.S.A, vale Octavio Figueroa (Tio Junior, Tavio), was a highly praised Salsa director and arranger (pianist, composer) also. My tio would play whenever he came to Australia and one of the last times he visited he played an intimate show at Cruzao Arepa Bar. I was fortunate enough to have had tio Junior perform on a song of mine Samba En La Tarde and add some percussion with one of his musicians. My dearest tia Monica and tio Jorge have recently produced a documentary about tio Junior’s life called Tavio Y Su Piano.
All the cousins adored tio Junior and whether in Melbourne or in LA we jammed. In 2009 10 of us went over for Tania (his daughter’s) wedding and played and partied with him! When opportunity arises the family record music together too. My beautiful aunts and uncles recorded a few songs when Tavio came. When I left for a 6 month backpacking trip in 2006, the family all celebrated my grandparents, Olinda and Octavio’s 60th wedding anniversary with a party which included a concert. Family members serenaded them with songs, one of which my Papa Octavio sang to his love ‘Parece Que Fue Ayer’. Of course in true family style, it was followed by recording those songs as an album thanks to tio Jorge. Whilst I wasn’t a part of this beautiful celebration, I was able to serenade at Mama Olinda’s 90th!
Extended relatives continue to do their thing in music in Peru, Miami, Germany etc.
More photos to come.
Links to more family music:
Nephew, Austin del Rio on guitar – https://keapermusic.bandcamp.com
Big bro, Carlos’ song Nomad
Cousin Moze: https://soundcloud.com/don_mo
Relative, Paul Hoyle Gutierrez: https://paulrhythms.com/home