This one is a more personal blog post. I hope that by sharing this, and you reading it, we all understand that our paths are not pre-written, we make them ourselves. Give Plenazo Tribe a listen over on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube!
I am the oldest of three brothers, and I can say I have a good relationship with my two brothers. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to live close to both; first with one in Florida, then near the other in California. Their paths couldn’t be more different, and both have been fascinating to witness. While my brother in Florida found a passion in the mechanic trade and a charter business, my brother in California followed a more unscripted path—one with more curiosity, change, and creativity…
When he was still in high school, his aspirations were to go into the veterinary field. But as he met other people with different experiences, his outlook changed; he discovered acting. That led him to pursue that career, which is how he ended up in California, completing his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) at CalArts, where the famous A113 room is located!
During his time as an undergraduate and graduate student, he has been “job-hopping”, more recently (and perhaps for the longest time yet) has been a salesperson for dates in a farmer’s market. This income instability has been the topic of discussion for some time, and it’s also one of my personal concerns. What about rent? Medical expenses? Car troubles? Savings for retirement?
Still, despite those uncertainties, he’s continued to move forward with a sense of purpose and passion that is admirable. He went on trips to the other side of the world (multiple times) to take his art on tour, people have called him back to continue working, and (more recently) he got a group together for his passion project: Plenazo Tribe, a band made up of multiple nationalities with the rhythm of Plena front and center.
Music has been part of him since a young age, it has been present in our family and our childhood. So much that we can go a few years without practicing but still go back to play together in holiday time; at home or wherever we meet. Pair that up with the artistic and charismatic skills that have blossomed in my brother and it does keep looking like a great match.
However, the music industry can be tough; even more nowadays with all the competition and world stage that online platforms have given music artists. The issues that may arise from forming a band, making sure all members are “on the same page” and be able to rely on them when it is needed. Not to forget the income that each member needs in order to make this beneficial for everyone. So while my concerns over income instability may still be present from time to time, and I don’t want this to become another “job-hop”, it does seem he is showing his admirable sense of purpose and passion to keep going with Plenazo Tribe for the long run.
As a final thought and to erase any shadow of a doubt, I want them to succeed! Who doesn’t want their sibling to succeed? I love Plenazo Tribe’s music, and the core group all seem motivated to succeed as well. If you got all the way down here, thanks for reading and hope this letter makes you see that there are different paths for everyone and we are all going through this life experiment together. If you are my brother, en las palabras de abuelo: “Recuerda, yo voy a ti!”
