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Moises Lopez Jr. is the singer for Scarlett O’Hara, an energetic rock band made up of Spanish-speaking Mexican People. Born in Weslaco, Texas, the 31-year-old vocalist is a first-generation Mexican American from his father’s aspect and likewise proudly represents the LGBTQ+ group as a homosexual exhausting rock frontman. The band initially shaped in 2008 and helped spearhead a neighborhood subgenre often known as “South Texas Metalcore.” Along with Lopez Jr., Scarlett O’Hara options Arnie Bernal on drums, Logan Burns on the guitar and Alek Samodouroff on bass. Their 2021 singles “Friction” and “Obsessive” have been each large successes for the group as they obtained an excessive amount of airplay on the radio and landed on a number of Billboard charts. Their newest single, “Witching Hour,” was launched as we speak — the video may be seen under. Given his distinctive background and the subject of Scarlett O’Hara’s newest single “Witching Hour,” we requested Lopez to share his expertise rising up as a minority making an attempt to make it in rock music and why sharing songs centered on psychological well being is so vital to him. Head under to see Lopez’s phrases, however first remember to take a look at “Witching Hour.”
Scarlett O’Hara – ‘Witching Hour’
I got here out of the closet whereas I used to be in high-school after I was 17 years outdated to my finest pal and outdated bandmate on the time. I used to be extremely nervous about it. Being homosexual was not one thing that was quite common in our small metropolis, not to mention in a metallic band. Regardless of that, I did really feel able to say it or on the very least to acknowledge that I had points of interest towards the identical intercourse and none to the other.
We have been heading to Guitar Heart, and I keep in mind struggling to only come out and say it. My coronary heart began to race so to ease my nervousness, I made it right into a little bit of a guessing sport. His first guess was assuming I had a woman I used to be crushing on. I replied, “You might be so removed from the reply you would develop frostbite.” As soon as we purchased our guitar strings we headed again to my home. That was after I took a deep breath and instructed him. My phrases have been “I’m not too positive about my sexuality, however I believe I like guys. No, truly I do know that I like guys.” At that second he smiled at me and mentioned, “Oh bro you are tremendous, do not even fear about it.” I did not actually know the way to react as a result of it was not what I had braced myself for. He was very supportive about it, actually all my bandmates and different college associates have been to my shock.
I felt like one of many fortunate ones, as a result of my popping out was very easy and simple despite the fact that nearly all of my associates, if not all, have been straight guys.
That being mentioned, when it got here to my household it was a bit completely different. My mom didn’t take my popping out effectively, but it surely wasn’t as a result of she was upset that I used to be homosexual. She was extra fearful for me and frightened how the world would deal with me. Throughout her time, and most of our mother and father’ time, homosexuals weren’t handled very effectively and have been sadly even killed for it. There was additionally the outbreak of HIV amongst homosexual males and he or she was frightened about it, so I understood the place she was coming from.
I by no means truly instructed my dad nose to nose. I used to be too scared. My sister ended up later telling me that he had a hunch after my then-boyfriend would come round typically. She instructed him that she loves me it doesn’t matter what. His response was “El es mi hijo de cualquier manera.” This implies, he’s my son both manner.
From a younger age, I believe music was at all times one thing I dreamt of pursuing. I keep in mind singing alongside to Selena songs whereas I used to be nonetheless in diapers. My mother and father was migrant employees, so I at all times attended completely different colleges and was round a really various group of youngsters. I by no means initially needed to be a frontman as a result of I used to be shy of talking however singers have been troublesome to return by in our space so I ended up watching YouTube movies on the way to do it and I picked it up. The one homosexual icons in rock I knew of have been Rob Halford and Freddie Mercury. Thoughts you, that’s one hell of a bar for me to succeed in…no strain!
Forgive me if I go away any notable ones out, however so far as Latinos in rock and metallic (or no less than those I knew about on the time) have been Metallica’s bassist Robert Trujillo, Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez and Pierce the Veil. Latinos in rock weren’t nearly all of what I noticed rising up. Not that I’m complaining about it, however it’s a indisputable fact that rock and metallic have been dominated by white males.
One among my idols after I first began singing was undoubtedly Breaking Benjamin. Lead singer and guitarist Ben Burnley was that man I needed to be, however he seemed completely nothing like me. He was this 6’4″ white man, and I used to be this 5’5″ little Mexican teen that might not even develop a full beard. I do not likely seem like many of the guys within the prime bands of as we speak. I do not know if issues could be completely different if there have been extra folks like me on the market. Nevertheless, I attempt to take a look at that in a optimistic manner. I’m the one one on the market who seems like me and possibly that can encourage rock followers who seem like me, too.
Each bands I’m at the moment in — The Sight Of Affect and Scarlett O’Hara — are wonderful and I like them to dying. They by no means had a problem with me being homosexual. I keep in mind speaking to Arnie, our drummer, and he mentioned that Logan even gave all of them a small discuss earlier than I joined them to make it possible for they’d not say something that might presumably be hurtful to me resulting from my sexuality.
Presently, I do not assume LGBTQ or minorities are shunned from rock and metallic, however I do not assume it is actually encouraging or selling them to hitch both. I do not assume there are sufficient various folks within the rock scene. That’s one thing I’ve found first-hand throughout my time in Scarlett O’Hara. I believe enhancing that may be an enormous step in the proper course for inventive freedom. It will open our eyes to the various completely different approaches that folks of various backgrounds can have towards the identical style of music by including their distinctive flairs.
Individuals of various backgrounds have particular person views to convey to the desk, which is one motive why I believe range is so vital. You go right into a Latino family, white, Black, Asian, Indian, and many others., and I assure you they may all prepare dinner you a meal otherwise. I really feel the identical goes for rock music. Diversity results in extra studying as a result of we get to grasp our variations in our cultures. This results in a bigger number of expressions in writing, in sounds, in performances and even in picture. The extra various kinds of music and folks we see, the extra it may well instantly affect and encourage the music and performances of the current and future.
By having a extra various group of individuals in music it says, “Hey that particular person did it, they struggled their manner up there however did it. What’s your excuse?” It additionally opens us as much as studying about different cultures by way of a shared love of music.
Additionally price mentioning is the connection between this subject and psychological well being, which undoubtedly exists. I see how range, or lack thereof, might have an effect on the psychological well being of numerous rock musicians, no matter race. It might shortly change into a lonely world with out the assist of shut family and friends.
After we made a publish about me being a homosexual frontman, I used to be fortunate that the response was very optimistic, however feeling completely different out of your friends can nonetheless take a toll for many individuals.
The subject of psychological well being has been extraordinarily outstanding in our music since it’s one thing I’m continually balancing. I wrote the lyrics for our new track “Witching Hour” primarily based on an individual who’s being haunted by a ghost, spirit, demon, their very own thoughts, no matter you’ll. This particular person goes loopy in making an attempt to show to others that they’re being haunted however nobody will imagine them. So that they flip to medication or different irregular tendencies in making an attempt to deal with it.
The road “cease blaming the voices for all of the unhealthy decisions” is me saying to undertake some duty and cease saying “Oh, I’m doing unhealthy issues as a result of I am sick or going by way of stuff.” That is not an excuse. Shit occurs typically, however in case you need assistance, search it. There isn’t any disgrace in that. I do know numerous Latino males particularly may be extremely cussed with regards to searching for assist. The lyrics of lots of our latest songs are supposed to break that stigma.
In case you or somebody is fighting psychological well being, assist is out there by way of the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration web site. To talk to somebody on the cellphone, dial 1-800-622-HELP (1-800-622-4357) or ship a textual content message to 1-800-487-4889.
All of us battle with issues every day. Some greater than others. There’s NO disgrace in searching for or needing assist. At any time when I discovered myself at my lowest low I might inform myself “I can solely go up from right here.” My recommendation to Latino and LGBT youth is that this: Don’t assume for a second that you may’t accomplish something due to your pores and skin or orientation. Work exhausting and you’ll be taught to understand what you’ve got greater than these which can be simply merely handed issues to them. Lastly, perceive the way to love and respect your self.
As a band, we hope that we may be an instance to others that it’s okay to totally embrace who you might be whereas additionally recognizing that it’s okay to hunt assist to your psychological well being once you want it. By way of our music and our actions in our day by day lives, the purpose is to be a sensible, attainable instance of a Mexican American, overtly homosexual frontman following within the footsteps of those earlier than me.
Try Scarlett O’Hara’s web site to remain updated with their upcoming releases.
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