Enjambre returns to El Paso!

Enjambre is a rock band with California roots whose sound is modern yet nostalgic. Enjambre has existed for over ten years and continues to defy all obstacles, including a pandemic amongst other things. Throughout the band's existence the Enjambre essence of it all has remained. Now, with their latest EP, Ambrosia, the band released four songs in English. Each song has it's own theme all connected under the same Enjambre flare that fans know to love. It is the first time the band releases an EP in English. It's actually surprising that it did not happen sooner! Luckily, the band used the pandemic as a chance to finally work on this project that has been on their mind for a while. 

I recently talked to Luis Humberto Navejas (vocalist) on the phone as the band made their way to the Fresno, California for the show they were playing last Friday. From the conversation and Luis' voice, I could tell that he was excited to be on the road again. He mentioned that the band was excited as well. The band is back in their element and it just "feels normal". This new tour has a "special meaning" given the band could not do it for the past two years. They can truly feel the pent up excitement from the crowd. 

Before proceeding with the conversation, I had to pull back a little and ask Luis about El Paso given that they are playing March 4, 2022 at Raves Club. The band has recorded at Sonic Ranch (a studio about 45 minutes out from El Paso) and has played in El Paso before so I naturally had to ask what was their favorite thing to do in the city. Luis mentioned that when they were recording at Sonic Ranch, they would drive to El Paso to go bowling or go the movies. Honestly, sounds like a great time and in my opinion, if you have not seen the band play, now is a great time to see them! I still remember their Lowbrow Palace show from a few years ago with such fondness. 

Next, we talked about the new EP, Ambrosia. I asked Luis why the band decided to release an EP in English and whether they were scared of doing so (i.e. fans reactions). Luis mentioned that they listened to a lot English rock growing up. "We love bands like Nirvana". He also added that the band started when they were living in California and they had always talked about doing an album in English. It was a project they had in the back burner. As to the second part of the question, Luis said that they were indeed afraid about what the audience would think such as that the band wanted to do crossover. Luckily, there was a overall positive reaction and they hope to do more songs in English in the future. That does mean they will stop doing music in Spanish.

I then wondered whether the band's approach to writing in English changed compared to their other stuff. "I had to do some translating," Luis mentioned. He said that although his English has improved over the years, paired with he fact that he's lived in the States, lyrics come easier to him in Spanish so sometimes the translating was needed. It makes sense as someone who is bilingual and grew up in  the States. I feel like certain things come easier in one language over the other. 
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We also talked about the band's favorite thing to do while on the road. The answer was simple: "food". They like to try the traditional foods of wherever they are playing. Luis also made a joke about how they always start the tour in better shape than when the tour ends. However, that conversation almost led to a very controversial In-N-Out versus Whataburger debate. 

Lastly, I asked Luis if he had five (ended up being six things) he was listening to at the moment that he would like to share and to that he said:

1. Fat Man Beyond podcast
2. The Ronettes
3. The Shirelles
4. Leslie Gore
5. Nat King Cole
6. Billie Holiday

P.S. A big thank you to the band and Luis for their time. Go check out their new EP, Ambrosia. Check out the video linked below!

** The flyer states Lowbrow Palace but it is at Raves Club tomorrow- March 4, 2022.