Today we’d like to introduce you to Roel Ortiz.
Hi Roel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My introduction to the local music scene started a few months before becoming an official San Antonio resident. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was living in Austin and, like many people, found myself with a lot of extra time. Whether it was due to quarantines or lockdowns, we all started going a little stir-crazy and to combat that; I started recording music in my bedroom. It began as a challenge to myself: write and record a song every day, even if it sucks. The root of this challenge was to stay committed to taking the entire day to see the process to its end. This small collection of songs consisted of simple drum loops programmed on my laptop and guitar, bass, and vocals recorded using a USB microphone. The main thing I got out of this challenge was I found myself feeling more confident with putting myself out there creatively. I was more relaxed and eager to show my music to friends. Instead, I was excited for feedback and felt more motivated to write more music and meet new people to jam with. My favorite activity during this time was cycling around the city. I would get off work and bike to this Buzzmill bar, where I’d get my usual Stash IPA and a shot of whiskey. During one of these rides around the city, I wrote a song in my head called ” At the Beach.” I couldn’t wait to return home and record the guitar melody stuck in my head all day. This song would later play a vital role in my musical style and sound with my band, ” Honeydro.”
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been a few obstacles. In 2024, I will be an established resident of San Antonio with a supportive group of friends, a frontman to a band that I have so much fun performing with, and a partner to a wonderful woman who motivates me and pushes me to bring out the best in myself. San Antonio in 2021 came with its ups and downs. I took a chance moving here with nothing but a stimulus-funded savings account and a shiny plastic close-to-maxed-out credit card. I needed to get a job before I could even think about starting a band. Fast Forward to October 2021, and I now had my first band, “Heavy Highs.” I learned a lot as a musician while being in this band. Some of the major obstacles I faced during this time were keeping up with momentum, the importance of communicating with your bandmates, lineup changes, and knowing when to call it quits. I’m happy to say that my current challenges as a musician come from a positive place: having to say no to a show because I’m working that day, not being able to make it to a rehearsal because of conflicting schedules, playing two shows in one night, or selling out of band merch—all good things.
Thanks. So, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a local musician who performs live regularly with my band Honeydro as their guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter. I also play bass in the San Antonio Alternative-Rock band Kayfabe. With Honeydro, I am known for my simple yet catchy punk-influenced guitar riffs, energetic stage presence, and personal lyrical style. I often write songs that come from actual life experiences or situations such as the chaos of processing heartbreak found in our song “Dog,” getting too high and not being able to function in public “Disco,” or getting locked out of your car in the middle of summer and getting a crazy sunburn “Sunburn.” When performing with Kayfabe as a bass player, I feel like my personal traits are knowing when and where in a song to show off. Sometimes, there are other sounds in a song that need the spotlight, and I am able to recognize them and complement them well. My playing style compliments the rhythm guitar and vocals but is fearless in showing off and doing its own thing. I am most proud of forming my band Honeydro with my amazing girlfriend Destiny Cano and good friend Brandon Taylor. What started as just a name and an idea has now grown into a full band with a unique sound.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
There have been many changes in the music industry over the past 10 years. Back in the 90s, a band had to travel through their city to market their shows via word of mouth and post-show flyers. They could get their name out by playing to a big enough crowd and selling merch. The relationship between the band and the audience seemed more personal during this time. Nowadays, bands have to try to maintain their online presence constantly. Today’s relationship between a band and their audience focuses more on current trends than the music itself. In the future, the industry will become more reliant on this type of relationship on social media.
Pricing:
- Budget Guitar – $499.99
- Gas Station Burrito – $5.99
- Tube Amp for Guitar – $799.99
- 2 Beers at a Venue – $19.99
- Payment For Show After Being Split 3 Ways – $40.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://honeydro222.wixsite.com/my-site-2
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeydro_/
