Q&A: Paco Talks Tommy Richman Collaboration, Representation aS a Mexican American Artist and More
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SOPHIE GRAGG ☆
ST. LOUIS-BRED ARTIST PACO MADE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT THIS YEAR’S CAMP FLOG GNAW electrifying the crowd with his unique blend of genres and infectious energy. Joining forces with frequent collaborator Tommy Richman, Paco’s performance was a highlight of the festival.
The surprise appearance showcased Paco’s growing popularity and his ability to captivate audiences. His energetic stage presence and signature style left a lasting impression on festival-goers. As he continues to rise in the music scene, Paco’s future looks incredibly promising.
With his latest releases, including the collaborative track “LETTERMAN” with Tommy Richman ”FLYSEXUAL” with Trevor Spitta, and his solo project release “HEY LADY./MONEY TALK,” Paco has demonstrated his versatility as an artist. His ability to seamlessly blend different genres and create catchy melodies has garnered him a dedicated fanbase.
As Paco continues to evolve as an artist, his impact on the music industry is undeniable. His surprise appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw is just one example of his growing influence and his potential to become a major force in the music world.
LUNA: You're making a surprise appearance with Tommy Richman, how are you feeling?
PACO: Today I’m around just saying what's up to people. I'm definitely trying to see Omar Apollo - if he's trying to do a song, he should definitely let me know! Other than Omar, of course, Tyler, the Creator. It's a good lineup. There are so many people on there.
LUNA: So what can we expect from tomorrow’s set?
PACO: Tomorrow, I'm gonna switch it up. I'm gonna come in a different attire, more of a Mexican cowboy hat vibe. Today, I'm keeping it more tame.
LUNA: You guys also have been teasing an upcoming song and video coming out. Can you share a bit about the creative process?
PACO: I'm really trying to represent my Mexican culture. With the video, we're trying to tie in different aspects of Mexican culture, like the boots, the cowboy hats, and the different regional variations. I want to show that there's more to Mexican culture than just one stereotype.
LUNA: Your music incorporates various genres and elements. How do you balance these influences when creating your songs?
PACO: It comes naturally. Working with Jonah Roy and Max Vossberg, they really understand my vision all the time. I don't work with that many people, but the people that I work with understand me. And I feel like that's very important to me, because once you get a good flow with somebody, there’s an unspoken connection. We don't even talk in the studio sometimes.
LUNA: How has your music progressed this past year?
PACO: It’s been crazy, thanks to my manager Matt Ladis. He’s one of the reasons why I’ve had so much growth. It's been great to see the growth, not just for myself but for everyone in my circle. We all support each other. If one person wins, everybody from the group sees that.
LUNA: You're from St. Louis. How has the transition to LA affected your music?
PACO: It's been a big change. LA offers more opportunities and creative freedom. I feel like I can truly be myself here. In St Louis, everybody knows everybody. It's very tight knit. The number one question out there is “Where'd you go to high school?” You don't get that out here, so you can fully do what you want to do. I love it, because I feel like this is genuinely my second home. When I'm in St Louis, I miss being out here. When I'm out here, I miss being in St Louis and Mexico too.
LUNA: You mentioned the importance of representation. What advice would you give to younger artists from underrepresented backgrounds?
PACO: If you don't have someone to look up to, you have to do it yourself. no, you should do it. I didn't have that many people to look up to, now there are goats now, like Omar Apollo and Cuco, but at the time when I was, like, coming up, in St Louis still to show my parents there wasn't that many people. You’ve just got to do it for yourself and just know that there are other creatives out there, and they're probably equally as scared as you are you just got to do it.
LUNA: What are your plans for the upcoming months?
PACO: I'm excited to tour and promote the new music. I'm also looking forward to spending time with my family.
