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21 Questions With Erika Aldrich Murga and Temazcal Life

Read our recent interview with Erika Murga and Temazcal Life.

As part of our ongoing craftHER Market, we recently launched 21 Questions—a series of short and fun questions designed to spotlight the stories, missions and personalities of our featured vendors.

In conversation with bbatx Communication Design Intern Eunice Bao, Erika Aldrich Murga, founder of Temazcal Life, chats about walking her new pup, bathing rituals and treasuring solitude.


Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

ABOUT ERIKA MURGA AND TEMAZCAL LIFE

Temazcal Life is inspired by Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican rituals meant to purify the body and the mind. We believe simple self-care rituals have the power to renew our entire self.

Temazcal Life was founded in 2016 by Erika Aldrich Murga with the purpose of helping people slow down, reconnect with themselves and prioritize their wellbeing, through cherished self-care rituals and goods, while making self-care accessible to disadvantaged communities.


 

HERE ARE ERIKA’S 21 ANSWERS:

1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?

Progress not perfection

2. Temazcal Life in 3 emojiS?

🧘🏻‍♀️ 🛁 💆🏽‍♀️

3. Why did you start Temazcal Life?

To share with others the experience of feeling cared for and caring holistically about wellbeing–addressing mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and social wellness

4. Craziest thing on your bucket list?

Bathe in as many baths as there are cultures with bathing rituals

5. Drink of choice? 

Agua de Tamarindo

6. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours?

More collaborative projects

7. No. 1 Muse?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

8. First thing you think about in the morning?

Coffee. I think I need to smell it and taste it more than my brain needs it to run.  

9. Best compliment you’ve ever received?

A customer, who found the soap through a magazine gift guide, let me know that their sensitive and eczema-prone skin had not been irritated by Temazcal Life soap.

10. What have you let go of this year that’s made a positive change in your life?

Financial security in exchange for autonomy and creative freedom

11. You want the future of Texas to look like...

Diverse, inclusive and artistic AF. I want to see people from all regions feeling welcomed and exhilarated about experiencing Texas. I’d like for people to have more ways to experience art in galleries, museums, public places or theater.

12. What’s one thing you learned about yourself recently?

I like things being packed neatly more than I like things being clean.

13. Favorite soap bar/scent? 

Manjar and the lemongrass aroma is something that really energizes my morning and puts me in such a good mood.

14. Currently listening to…  

Afrobeat essentials

Baila Reggaeton

NPR Invisibilia

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal Life.

15. Currently reading…

Clean by James Hambli 

16. How would you describe your creative and production process?

  • I research A LOT. I immerse myself in the material I'm working with, such as botanicals, oil extraction, infusions, chemistry, perfumery, native American and Mesoamerican rituals and ancestral practices. I just read a lot.

  • Then, I design experiments, and this involves having many conversations with my mom (she is my chemistry consultant). We have a lot of fun bouncing ideas and she gets a kick out of educating me on chemistry.

  • I also write a lot. Documenting my experiments and tracking data is a way to manage my product development cycles, measure my progress and improve my product often.

17. Best advice you’ve been given? 

Being ruthless about respecting my R&R time. The more rested I am, the better I can be at showing up for whom and what I care about. 

18. Favorite daily routine?  

Walking our new pup and stretching at the end of the day

19. Proudest career milestone? 

Finding the vocation to help others no matter what skill I apply to my day-to-day activities

20. Something you treasure?

Solitude. The time I spend with myself reflecting and enjoying silence replenishes me.

21. What do you want people to feel when they buy/use your products? 

Deserving of the time invested on themselves without feeling guilty or selfish. Dignified and worthy of better—a balanced life, good opportunities, positive relationships, freedom to reclaim their time.

 

TEMAZCAL LIFE is part of craftHER Market—our creative community marketplace nurturing homegrown artists, small business owners and designers in Texas.

Want to know more about our vendors? Our digital catalogue, crafthermarket.com, is open through April 30. You can browse 120+ vendors there online 24/7.

Some of Erika’s favorites on the lineup are:


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Keep up with what we’re up to at bbatx—from virtual events to membership—here.

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21 Questions With Elizabeth Ryan and The Medicinal Melange

Read our recent interview with Elizabeth Ryan and The Medicinal Melange.

As part of our ongoing craftHER Market, we recently launched 21 Questions—a series of short and fun questions designed to spotlight the stories, missions and personalities of our featured vendors.

In conversation with bbatx Communication Design Intern Eunice Bao, Elizabeth Ryan, founder of The Medicinal Melange, chats about her current reads, favorite tea flavors and having a grounding connection to the earth.


Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

ABOUT ELIZABETH RYAN AND THE MEDICINAL MELANGE

Elizabeth Ryan (She/Her) is the sole proprietor of The Medicinal Melange, a holistic vegan apothecary in South Austin. Elizabeth has been working with plants her whole life, but felt called to herbalism and aromatherapy when her daughter was diagnosed with PANDAS and total healing wasn’t happening with prescription medicines. The Medicinal Melange is focused on introducing herbal healing to the community and cutting out harmful byproducts often associated with western medicine. Elizabeth is a prideful South Austinite, skater, wife, the mother of an unschooler, co-runs CIB Austin, and works closely with local mutual aid organizations while finding creative ways to give back to the community. 

 

HERE ARE ELIZABETH’S 21 ANSWERS:

1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?

“As we work to heal the Earth, the Earth will heal us.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer

2. Describe THE MEDICINAL MELANGE in three WORDS.

Accessible. Sustainable. Healing.

3. Why did you start THE MEDICINAL MELANGE?

To create valuable, accessible medicine for all

4. Craziest thing on your bucket list? 

To form relationships with herbalists across the world and learn about their herbal traditions

5. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours?

To cut out the waste and plastics

6. No. 1 muse?

60’s Girl Garage groups

7. You want the future of Texas to look like...

A large community garden for all

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

8. First thing you think about in the morning?

I need to brush my teeth ASAP.

9. You can never leave your house without…?

Tranquillium, my anti-anxiety tincture. “Fight or Flight” mode sneaks up on ya.

10. What have you let go of this year that’s made a positive change in your life?

Saying yes when it takes up time I can't spare

11. Favorite small businesses in Austin?

Dempsey’s Official (BEST. SAUCE. EVER.)

12. Current favorite tea flavor?

Holy Basil and Lemon Balm

13. Hardest lesson learned?

I have to ask for help from time to time. 

14. Something new you’re trying? 

Qigong (life changing!)

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

Photo courtesy of The Medicinal Melange.

15. Currently reading…

Re-reading the Hellbore zines

16. How would you describe your creative and production process?

Methodical research with a splash of Magik

17. Best advice you’ve been given? 

“Everything happens for a reason.” - My mom whenever it doesn't work out in my favor

18. What does a day-in-the-life FOR ELIZABETH consist of? 

Sleeping in, learning through experiences, working until 2am

19. Proudest career milestone? 

Selling out at my first market

20. What do you want people to feel when they buy/use your products? 

A grounding connection to the Earth

21. What’s next for The Medicinal Melange and yourself? 

Mutual aid, in person shopping, and buying more land to grow and share

 

The Medicinal Melange is part of craftHER Market—our creative community marketplace nurturing homegrown artists, small business owners and designers in Texas.

Want to know more about our vendors? Our digital catalogue, crafthermarket.com, is open through April 30. You can browse 120+ vendors there online 24/7.

Some of Elizabeth’s favorites on the lineup are:


Want to stay involved with bbatx?

Keep up with what we’re up to at bbatx—from virtual events to membership—here.

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21 Questions With Jasmine Cormier and Soy Society Wellness

Read our recent interview with Jasmine Cormier and Soy Society Wellness.

As part of our ongoing craftHER Market, we recently launched 21 Questions—a series of short and fun questions designed to spotlight the stories, missions and personalities of our featured vendors.

In conversation with bbatx Communication Design Intern Eunice Bao, Jasmine Cormier, founder of Soy Society Wellness, chats about her No. 1 muse, favorite candle scent and proudest career milestone.


Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

ABOUT JASMINE CORMIER AND SOY SOCIETY WELLNESS

Pleasure to meet you! I'm Jasmine, the owner of Soy Society Wellness.

I am an avid health enthusiast. I am not afraid of trying the unusual. I went from managing apartment complexes to working full-time in the fitness health industry. Creating Soy Society Wellness came from piecing all of me together versus trying to keep all my interests and values separated.

In 2015, I was struggling to manage my anxiety and depression. With no treatment, I began to have anxiety attacks at home and at the workplace. Anti-Depressants were more of a way to get me started on better managing my mental health and not an end-all-be-all means of fixing the issue. In my soul search, I became a certified RYT- 200 Vinyasa Yoga and Yoga Sculpt teacher. The mind-body connection strengthened who I was from the inside out. 

Shortly after, I began my hand-poured candle collection to allow me peace through working with my hands. Creating aromatherapy candles grew my knowledge of essential oils, not only in my yoga practice but also their benefits in everyday home-life. Slowing down to hand make each candle keeps me grounded in my work and journey of mindfulness and wellness.

My vision for Soy Society Wellness is to offer you resources for a content and grounded life. With our candles we believe in room-filling fragrance, and candles that do good to your mind, body, and soul. Our candles have intentions which can inspire hope and support you on your journey. As we expand on our candle collections, we also offer Sip & Wick candle-making classes and a YouTube channel focused on helping entrepreneurs.

 

Here are JASMINE’S 21 answers:

1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?

All things are working for my good.

2. Describe SOY SOCIETY WELLNESS in three emojis.

🕯👌✨

3. Why did you start Soy Society Wellness? 

As a way to help people on their journey through intentions with candles

4. Craziest thing on your bucket list? 

Zip line through the rainforest (I did get to zip line a jungle in Costa Rica 😆) 

5. The thing you most wish for the world is…

That we could be happier with less and to care for the environment

6. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours? 

I’d like to see them keep pushing and trailblazing and supporting one another. 

7. No. 1 muse?

Rihanna—she’s such a boss and totally 💯 percent herself. 

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

8. First thing you think about in the morning?

I need coffee first and then I do the work.

9. You can never leave your house without…?

My clear lip gloss and eyelashes

10. What have you let go of this year that’s made a positive change in your life?

The idea that I need to do more or be more; I have everything I need. 

11. Favorite small businesses in Austin?

Bruja, Dosí Blends and A Dose of Resin

12. Hardest lesson learned?

There will always be something on my to-do list, and that’s okay. 

13. Something new you’re trying?

To be fully present in the moment and get to know people deeply so we both feel seen

14. Favorite candle scent? 

It will always be WELLBEING, but I do love CONFIDENCE. 

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

Photo courtesy of Soy Society Wellness.

15. Currently listening to.. 

Anderson.Pak. Love 💕 his Malibu album. 

16. How would you describe your creative and production process?

My creative process is intuition-based. My production process is system-driven. 

17. Best advice you’ve been given? 

The best advice is my sister always saying “Go for it!” when I tell her my ideas. 

18. What does a day-in-the-life FOR JASMINE consist of? 

My day consists of working as a dance teacher, working on Soy Society and finding time to just be Jasmine. 

19. Proudest career milestone? 

That my candles are in WholeFoods

20. Something you treasure?

I treasure my family, my dog Evie and my gemstone rings 💍. 

21. What do you want people to feel when they buy/use your products? 

I want them to feel encouraged and supported, but also hype because the candle smells so darn good! 

 

SOY SOCIETY WELLNESS is part of craftHER Market—our creative community marketplace nurturing homegrown artists, small business owners and designers in Texas.

Want to know more about our vendors? Our digital catalogue, crafthermarket.com, is open through April 30. You can browse 120+ vendors there online 24/7.

Some of Jasmine’s favorites on the lineup are:


Want to stay involved with bbatx?

Keep up with what we’re up to at bbatx—from virtual events to membership—here.

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21 Questions With Redeemer Small Batch CBD

Read our recent interview with Bailey Weickum and Jahna Martell, founders of Redeemer Small Batch CBD.

As part of our ongoing craftHER Market, we’re launching our first set of 21 Questions—a series of short and fun questions designed to spotlight the stories, missions and personalities of our featured vendors.

In conversation with bbatx Communication Design Intern Eunice Bao, Bailey Weickum and Jahna Martell, founders of Redeemer Small Batch, chat about their childhood career choice, day-to-day mantra and their provisioner’s production processes.


Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch

ABOUT BAILEY WEICKUM, JAHNA MARTELL AND REDEEMER SMALL BATCH

Redeemer is a women-owned, small batch CBD provisioner (fronted by Bailey Weickum and Jahna Martell) based deep in the heart of Austin, Texas. Our full-spectrum CBD and CBG comes from one farm and one farm only—our family’s—using a patented, ZERO-chemical extraction process that holds more of the plant’s power. Take Care and take often. 

 

Here are Bailey and Jahna’s 21 answers:

1. What’s your day-to-day mantra?

Take care

2. Describe Redeemer Small Batch in three emojis.

💚🤠👨‍🎤

3. Drink of choice? 

Dosed Desert Bird (which will be featured in our pop-up shop this Sunday)

4. Why did you start Redeemer? 

To spread the good herb

5. Craziest thing on your bucket list?

Shark diving. Save the Sharks!

6. What would you love to see more of from small businesses like yours?

Collaborative consciousness

7. No. 1 muse?

#FreeBritney

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

8. First thing you think about in the morning?

CBD Coffee

9. You can never leave your house without…?

#MaskUp

10. What have you let go of this year that’s made a positive change in your life?

The familiar

11. Favorite small businesses in Austin?

Nixta Taqueria

12. Hardest lesson learned?

Saying no is self-care.

13. Something new you’re trying?

New wellness ritual with Temazcal soap

14. What was your childhood career choice?  

Airport security guard (sweet belts)

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

Photo courtesy of Redeemer Small Batch.

15. Currently listening to.. 

Supplier by Kari Faux on REPEAT

16. How would you describe your creative and production process?

Pure chaos

17. Best advice you’ve been given? 

We’re all here to help each other. - Mom

18. What does a day-in-the-life of Redeemer consist of? 

Mostly laughing at our dogs

19. Proudest career milestone? 

Making it to Redeemer’s first birthday in quarantine

20. Something you treasure?

The West Texas desert 

21. What do you want people to feel when they buy/use your products? 

Better

 

REDEEMER is part of craftHER Market—our creative community marketplace nurturing homegrown artists, small business owners and designers in Texas.

Want to know more about our vendors? Our digital catalogue, crafthermarket.com, is open through April 30. You can browse 120+ vendors there online 24/7.

Some of Bailey’s favorites on the lineup are:


Want to stay involved with bbatx?

Keep up with what we’re up to at bbatx—from virtual events to membership—here.

support our work
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What Kept You Grounded In 2020?

Today, we’d like to introduce you to eight of this year’s team members—and the mindsets that held them down throughout this pandemic.

We survived this year, thanks to our team. And, because most of our events were in little Zoom rooms this year, you may not know who they are.

Today, we’d like to introduce you to eight of this year’s team members—and the mindsets that held them down.


So, what kept you grounded in 2020?

 

WHO: A’NYSHA AILEEN

bbatx committee member

“Digital drawing has definitely become the primary creative outlet to keep me grounded and bring me joy. I started with daily completed drawings, but I noticed I wasn’t having as much fun. Eventually, I moved to doing whatever felt best for the day. Outside of my drawing practice, I find joy in taking care of my office palm tree. Checking in on her and making sure she has all she needs is a reminder to do the same for myself.”

 

WHO: AMANDA VAUGHN

bbatx committee member

“2020 has brought about much change, and in a sense I feel it was needed for my personal evolution and growth. As a highly extroverted, self-proclaimed Renaissance woman, I generally tend to fill my space fully with a “the-more-the-merrier” approach. These times existing during a pandemic have signaled a shift in both daily ritual and creative release. I have pivoted my venue-based DJ practice to an at-home mixtape recording studio, play daily backgammon games with my partner, utilize free time for hikes in the hill country, and have opened myself up to embark on new styles of painting. My film camera has provided space for leaving my phone at home sometimes. Overall, this year has slowed down enough to allow me to listen more deeply, so that when it’s time to speak, I actually have something to say.”

 

WHO: LIZ WHITINGTON

bbatx committee member

“My children have kept me grounded and have made me see beauty in the chaos. I have used this time to lean into the times and experimented with everything and anything to figure out what works for me and my wolfpack (what I call my family.) I stripped everything down to the basics and layered back the things that give me happiness. I have figured out that I am my best when I am a balance of routines with a touch of a chaos to keep me on my toes. The best routine for me is hot tea and face mask before bed while reading or journaling. It's my quiet time and sometimes the only quiet time in my day, as my mornings are full of music to get the family dancing and grooving for the day.”

 

WHO: DIVINA CENICEROS-DOMINGUEZ

bbatx communications design intern

“Soon after quarantine began, I started planning a blog series (@calienteboss) on Latinidad that I released on September 15—the start of Latinx Heritage Month. I thought that doing it all would help me stay grounded and alert amidst the chaos, but I was wrong. I learned *the hard way* that taking breaks, being patient with myself, and just surviving is what's most important for me right now. I don't have to do everything all at once, especially when it comes at the cost of my joy. So now, I'm doing a lot more Netflix-watching, investing in pretentiously-good coffee, and (despite the chaos) trying my best to live my best, hot girl summer life.”

 

WHO: SARAH COLBY

bbatx committee member

“I planned to leave my career in tech at some point in 2020 but was scared and stalling. I'd previously left a career in arts nonprofit management to join tech, so I felt quite lost. When the pandemic hit, I was forced to leave my job, slow down, confront, and heal from burnout as I sought new passions that aligned with my creative values. I enrolled in film production and acting classes, explored photography, watercolor and drawing, needle-felting, cross-stitching, hand-balancing, gardening, tarot, candle-making, you name it. I wish I had answers to conclude this spiel, but I am still exploring. :)“

 

WHO: DIAMOND HAWKINS

bbatx committee member

“During this WILD time, I've taken my energy to build a company focused on inclusive beauty, Pothos Beauty! It really brings me joy! When I am not building the company, I spend time painting, reading, learning and connecting with friends digitally. I've also have taken my cooking skills to the next level (P.S: I think I am restaurant-worthy!) Playlist curation has also been such a vibe for me!!”

 

WHO: HALI MARTIN

bbatx committee member

“At the beginning of the quarantine, my partner and I started walking all the neighboring streets from our home. Then we started driving to new neighborhoods and walking two or three miles. These walks helped give us time outside of our home, now the 'everything place'. We continued this when we got a dog in September, now getting to know the neighborhood dogs and their families. We also started reading Crazy Rich Asians out loud in the evenings. It helped make reading, a solitary activity, into one that both has us laughing until we are crying and rushing through dinner to read the next chapter together.“

 

WHO: JEN RODRIGUEZ (aka Chef JRodi)

bbatx committee member

“My faith keeps me going, ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,’ which feeds my current mantra, 'trust the gift.' I've chosen to disconnect from the chaos, it does not feed me but distracts me from accomplishing my goals and passions. When not in the kitchen, I'm creating new menus and recipes, writing novels (hope to finish one—one day), reorganizing a room or taking Sunday drives to see the changing seasons. Routines aren't my strongest suit (haha), my mind goes in too many directions at once to stay on track, but that's what makes me unique—that I can create a menu in one breath, then decide to redesign a room or read old novel excerpts to 'hey, should I build a garden?' moments. Each never-ending road expands my creative world and opens the door to new possibilities to keep growing, blossoming my soul.“


See you in 2021.

You can learn more about how to get involved with bbatx next year here.

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An Austin Gift Guide: 50+ Creative Small Businesses To Support This Holiday

This year’s annual bbatx gift guide of things from 50+ of the Austin-based creatives and small business owners we worked with in 2020.

Featuring everything from books and scarves to tattoos and arepas (we got you!), this year’s annual bbatx gift guide includes a selection of things from over 50 of the Austin-based creatives and small business owners we worked with in 2020.

Enjoy—and happy holidays.


here are our 50+ holiday gift picks—homegrown right here in Texas:

 
1. Custom, hand-made rugs from Odd Rugs

1. Custom, hand-made rugs from Odd Rugs

2. Austin local Rosé delivered right to your door courtesy of Dandy Rosé

2. Austin local Rosé delivered right to your door courtesy of Dandy Rosé

3. Gift cards for super kawaii sweets by OMG Squee

3. Gift cards for super kawaii sweets by OMG Squee

4. Alok Vaid-Menon’s latest book, Beyond the Gender Binary, from The Little Gay Shop

4. Alok Vaid-Menon’s latest book, Beyond the Gender Binary, from The Little Gay Shop

5. Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman from local feminist bookstore, BookWoman

5. Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman from local feminist bookstore, BookWoman

6. Cozy “Everybody Gay” sweatshirt from Thee Gay Agenda

6. Cozy “Everybody Gay” sweatshirt from Thee Gay Agenda

7. Mexican Mint Marigold plant dye kit from the all-woman team at Miranda Bennett Studio

7. Mexican Mint Marigold plant dye kit from the all-woman team at Miranda Bennett Studio

9. One-of-a-kind orange tassel sequined earrings from Las Ofrendas

9. One-of-a-kind orange tassel sequined earrings from Las Ofrendas

11. Our hand-screen-printed “Be Kind to the Parts of You That Are Still Learning” canvas tote made in collaboration with Suerte

11. Our hand-screen-printed Be Kind to the Parts of You That Are Still Learning” canvas tote made in collaboration with Suerte

12. Hypnotic water-marbled bandana made by local artist, Mercedez Rex

12. Hypnotic water-marbled bandana made by local artist, Mercedez Rex

13. A studio photoshoot with photographer Riley Blanks of Woke Beauty

13. A studio photoshoot with photographer Riley Blanks of Woke Beauty

14. Number 1 Hits! screen-printed soft crop top from  our fav electr0nic pop superstar, p1nkstar

14. Number 1 Hits! screen-printed soft crop top from our fav electr0nic pop superstar, p1nkstar

15. Sterling silver oyster studs made by Year 901

15. Sterling silver oyster studs made by Year 901

16. Natural dyed silk sleep eye mask made by hand by See Phillips

16. Natural dyed silk sleep eye mask made by hand by See Phillips

17. Detoxifying alkaline-rich clay mud masks from OHM ESSENTIALS

17. Detoxifying alkaline-rich clay mud masks from OHM ESSENTIALS

18. Plant-based healing skin glow elixir by Flowers & Moondust

18. Plant-based healing skin glow elixir by Flowers & Moondust

19. Cute little handmade ceramic face planter with drainage holes by Howdy Ceramics

19. Cute little handmade ceramic face planter with drainage holes by Howdy Ceramics

20. Sumn Light fruity and refreshing herbal tea blend by Basic Ass Tea

20. Sumn Light fruity and refreshing herbal tea blend by Basic Ass Tea

21. Our locally screen-printed unisex texan feminist t-shirt sold through our friends at Radical Girl Gang

21. Our locally screen-printed unisex texan feminist t-shirt sold through our friends at Radical Girl Gang

22. ATX Interfaces’ "Do You Want A Revolution? ATX Artists on the Carceral State" zine (available in physical and digital form)

22. ATX Interfaces"Do You Want A Revolution? ATX Artists on the Carceral State" zine (available in physical and digital form)

24. A coloring book featuring the work of 50 Austin-based artists compiled by The Austin Chronicle

24. A coloring book featuring the work of 50 Austin-based artists compiled by The Austin Chronicle

25. The Coy Collection’s sold-out smiley tumbler featuring our classic bbatx squiggle

25. The Coy Collection’s sold-out smiley tumbler featuring our classic bbatx squiggle

26. The holiday shop from Psychic Outlaw featuring stockings, totes, bandanas, recycled appliqué sweatshirts, stickers and gift cards

26. The holiday shop from Psychic Outlaw featuring stockings, totes, bandanas, recycled appliqué sweatshirts, stickers and gift cards

27. Superfood Latte Gift Set featuring a trio of super matcha, golden turmeric and sexy cacao from Curcuma (it’s 20% off!)

27. Superfood Latte Gift Set featuring a trio of super matcha, golden turmeric and sexy cacao from Curcuma (it’s 20% off!)

28. *Very* limited edition silky scarves designed by local artist, Xavier Schipani, sold by The Mall

28. *Very* limited edition silky scarves designed by local artist, Xavier Schipani, sold by The Mall

29. A bundle of three large barrettes (classic tortoise, cotton candy pastel blue and pink, and pearly pink) made by Chauncey and Coco

29. A bundle of three large barrettes (classic tortoise, cotton candy pastel blue and pink, and pearly pink) made by Chauncey and Coco

30. Ceramic speckled yin yang planter (or tumbler!) sold by Tropic of Capricorn Plants

30. Ceramic speckled yin yang planter (or tumbler!) sold by Tropic of Capricorn Plants

31. An e-gift card to one of our favorite East Austin coffee shops (now run by Alma Gabriela Lopez), Revival Coffee

31. An e-gift card to one of our favorite East Austin coffee shops (now run by Alma Gabriela Lopez), Revival Coffee

33. Ultra-soft 70s black stallion vintage tee hand-selected by Oddball Vintage

33. Ultra-soft 70s black stallion vintage tee hand-selected by Oddball Vintage

34. Elmore Mountain Therapeutics whole plant, full spectrum CBD tincture made with organic hemp seed oil sold by Mary Jae Smoke Shop

34. Elmore Mountain Therapeutics whole plant, full spectrum CBD tincture made with organic hemp seed oil sold by Mary Jae Smoke Shop

35. Monoprints created by bbatx board president and multimedia artist, Xochi Solis

35. Monoprints created by bbatx board president and multimedia artist, Xochi Solis

36. Daydreamer super gentle cream face cleanser with chamomile, lavender, and grapefruit extract from Troupe Beauty

36. Daydreamer super gentle cream face cleanser with chamomile, lavender, and grapefruit extract from Troupe Beauty

37. At-home arepa meal prep survival kits from Arepa Dealers ATX (vegetarian & vegan options available)

37. At-home arepa meal prep survival kits from Arepa Dealers ATX (vegetarian & vegan options available)

38. A silky Botnia gel cleanser, gentle yet balancing enough for all skin types from EleMINT Skin

38. A silky Botnia gel cleanser, gentle yet balancing enough for all skin types from EleMINT Skin

39. A gift card for a tattoo from No Good Tattoo resident artist, @dopetoast (proceeds will go directly to artist)

39. A gift card for a tattoo from No Good Tattoo resident artist, @dopetoast (proceeds will go directly to artist)

40. A virtual class with the workout queen of quarantine, Erica Nix

40. A virtual class with the workout queen of quarantine, Erica Nix

41. An all-natural, nourishing golden oil for hair growth, strength, moisture and shine from Nubian Oasis

41. An all-natural, nourishing golden oil for hair growth, strength, moisture and shine from Nubian Oasis

42. Vintage Machine, the newest EP from Austin-based guitarist and singer-songwriter, Jackie Venson

42. Vintage Machine, the newest EP from Austin-based guitarist and singer-songwriter, Jackie Venson

43. An e-gift card to Nixta Taqueria, an East Austin taqueria that fuses Mexican-American cuisine with West Coast vibes and French technique

43. An e-gift card to Nixta Taqueria, an East Austin taqueria that fuses Mexican-American cuisine with West Coast vibes and French technique

44. Unisex Space Case Sweatshirt with a multicolored planetary illustration sold by REALM

44. Unisex Space Case Sweatshirt with a multicolored planetary illustration sold by REALM

45. Join our low-pressure learning community by signing up for the first-ever bbatx membership.

45. Join our low-pressure learning community by signing up for the first-ever bbatx membership.

46. Branch art print designed by Austin-based independent muralist and bbatx 2020 resident artist, Catie Lewis

46. Branch art print designed by Austin-based independent muralist and bbatx 2020 resident artist, Catie Lewis

47. Personalized custom mixes for your holiday Zoom party curated by DJ Boyfriend

47. Personalized custom mixes for your holiday Zoom party curated by DJ Boyfriend

48. A bbatx gift card for online or in-person redemption for any of our merch and events

48. A bbatx gift card for online or in-person redemption for any of our merch and events

49. Begin your personal tarot journey with Elise of La Mystica.

49. Begin your personal tarot journey with Elise of La Mystica.

50. Personal, the newest EP from Texas R&B singer, Nayome

50. Personal, the newest EP from Texas R&B singer, Nayome

51. Vintage porcelain checkered pillow vases made by Tanya Zal.

51. Vintage porcelain checkered pillow vases made by Tanya Zal.

52. Handwoven, naturally dyed vessel tapestry by Zanny Adornments.

52. Handwoven, naturally dyed vessel tapestry by Zanny Adornments.

 

LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED?

Check out everything we’re doing virtually for women and nonbinary creatives and leaders (plus the people who support them) here.

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The 2020 Impact Report: A Year Of Showing Up

Thanks to you, thanks to this community and thanks to our resilient as hell team, we are still here. In 2020, we supported $40,000+ in commissions and grants.

In 2020, we were collectively tasked with the work of reimagining our worlds.

And you showed up. You connected to us, to each other and to the communities we serve. And that energy made what we do possible. We hope you have stayed safe, well and as supported as you can. Continue reading for a recap of our impact (aka your impact) this year.


Here are three things you made possible for bbatx this year:

Our organization had some major growth moments in 2020, thanks to you, too:

  • We stepped up our approach to advocacy and community-care. Our team distributed year-long anti-racism resources, partnered with Art+Action to get the word out about the 2020 Census and teamed up with the City of Austin to distribute $3.5 million in COVID-19 grants with the Creative Worker Relief Grant.

  • We launched The Creative Future of Texas micro-fund with our friends at Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

  • Our team officially expanded to four staff members, and our new Board President, Xochi Solis, stepped into her role. We also worked to restructure our budgets and ensure that all staff members received 100% free health care through bbatx in 2020.

  • We partnered with therapist and social worker Sandra Olarte-Hayes to connect 24 racial justice community leaders with pro bono therapy support in August and September 2020.

  • We worked with 15 Texas women and nonbinary artists in our digital residency to produce work online and off—including a dynamic installation with Aimée M. Everett at The Line Hotel.

  • We moved into our own headquarters and are working to open the location to the public in 2021.

  • We transformed our store to better support the community, with the introduction of new initiatives like THE CRAFTHER BOX.

  • We put out our first-ever data-informed study on supportive leadership environments, What We Need To Do Our Best Work. You can grab a copy here.

You can also read our full impact report, quarter over quarter, here.

 

As you can see — your support, attention, time and energy make a huge difference.

We would like to thank our 2020 staff, board and committee members for their support. We are also grateful to our partners and friends—particularly Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Giant Noise, the Texas MSTC and MBA Programs, the Stand With Austin Fund and Bumble—for their continued collaboration.

Together, we are increasing the number of opportunities for women and nonbinary creatives, entrepreneurs and leaders in Texas to find support, share their work and grow.

 

Do you want to get involved in 2021?

Become a member or donate to our end-of-year fundraiser. You can also explore all of the other ways to contribute here.


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On Finding Your Creative Voice: Andie Flores

Read our recent interview with Austin-based writer, comedian, and performance and visual artist, Andie Flores.

As part of our ongoing digital residency, we’re spotlighting our recent interview with Austin-based performance artist, writer and comedian Andie Flores.

In conversation with bbatx committee member Liz Whitington, Andie chatted with us about how she goes about navigating collaboration, the value creative residencies can be of to artists, and how she combines comedy, performance art and drag in creating her work.


ABOUT Andie Flores:

Andie Flores is a writer, performance and visual artist, clown and comedian based in Austin, Texas. Her work (often site-specific) investigates messy, extravagant, delinquent bodies loudly stumbling toward some sort of Latinx queer futurity. Her most recent explorations include live-streaming an in-character performance at various public sites of high-pedestrian traffic, subject/object glitch character experiments, and home video archival research in search of present-day artist narration. Last summer, she was an artist-in-residence for MASS Gallery’s Hotbox 2019 residency with one of her artistic partners, Cindy Popp. Early next year, she'll have her first solo show at Presa House Gallery in San Antonio. Flores’ ongoing central artistic question is one of audience, loneliness, excess, and legacy. She is a second year PhD student in the department of Mexican American Latinx Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into performance, writing and comedy? How did you get to where you are now?

I have always been performing and have always had the personality for it (AKA I’m a ham). I’ve been performing in front of people at least since the sixth grade, and then from then through almost the end of college, I did the speech and debate team, which is essentially competitive performance and speech writing. After I graduated college in 2013, I discovered a whole other world of performance that I did not know about and began to experiment with different performance styles and ideas on variety shows like The Encyclopedia Show in Arizona. Then I just did weird, dumb stuff on a handful of different comedy shows in Austin when I moved here. I’ve spent the majority of my time in Austin (about six or seven years) trying to find my voice and format, and lately that’s meant interweaving comedy, drag, protest and performance art.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

 

What compelled you to pursue a PhD, and how have your studies impacted your work?

For me, school was initially about getting excited about living in Austin for a few more years, and I also wanted to provide myself with options for new art career paths to take. School has given me a new approach to the city and I'm trying very hard to do it alongside regular performance work, which is great and keeps me incredibly busy. My program is Mexican American Latinx Studies, so I’m getting to merge my artistic pursuits with my community and scholarship about things I love.

You mentioned that you love to collaborate. How do you go about finding collaborators, and what does that collaborative process look like?

I really love working with other people. I think that’s because I see myself as less of an artist and more of an adult who likes to play. I’m drawn to other people who like to play, too and who believe in the wild, vast potential and power of play. Collaborating with someone else makes me figure out how to work with not only my artistic anxieties and energies but also how to be productive alongside theirs. It gives me space to narrow in on what I do best in the collaboration so I can hyper-focus on my work, which is a nice challenge.

What motivates or inspires you as an artist?

Music plays an important role in my creative/inspiration process, but I’m also continuously fueled by the ongoing experimentation of my favorite artists and performers. The work of artists like Xandra Ibarra, Shaboom!, Jibz Cameron/Dynasty Handbag, Lorelei Ramirez, Victor I. Cazares, etc. all motivate me energetically.

What themes does your work explore, and are there new themes you want to focus on?

I’m always interested in out-of-context performances, questions of online legacy and identity, frantic humor meets strange glamour, little kid sensibilities and poetry.

Photo taken by Jagan Cortez.

Photo taken by Jagan Cortez.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

Photo courtesy of Andie Flores.

 

You’ve been a resident artist before with other creative institutions. How do residencies impact your artistic work?

My first official residency was last summer at MASS Gallery with my ongoing clown collaborator, Cindy Popp. The residency provided us with a studio/gallery space, freedom, and the opportunity to showcase our work in a show at the end of it all. To have time and space to create like that in a place like Austin is usually expensive or only comes with being seen as a more established artist. I enjoy that residencies often come with loose restrictions or boxes that are fun to play with, and I like seeing how I can work within those constraints to grow my practice. The best thing a residency can do is provide space, resources and access that I would not normally have.



LOOKING FOR MORE?

Keep up with what we’re up to at bbatx—from virtual events to membership—here. You can also learn more about The Residency here.

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Meet The Filmmakers Featured in Creative Medicine

Meet the six filmmakers featured in our Creative Medicine virtual film showcase, plus learn a little about the local filmmakers to keep on your radar.

In place of this year’s BABES FEST, we recently launched our Creative Medicine Series. :) As a series of virtual and open-air events, Creative Medicine is our slow response to a rapidly changing world.

On November 6, you can tune in from anywhere for three hours of independent film from six women directors in the Texas South, curated by us.

Screening a combination of shorts and feature films, the night’s showcase will span from experimental to comedic to documentary—and this year's featured filmmakers include Chelsea Hernandez, Meghan Ross, Chinwe Okorie, Evelyn Ngugi (Evelyn From The Internets), Brittany Reeber and Emily Basma. Read on to learn more about them, their work and featured films in Creative Medicine.


MEET THE FEATURED FILMMAKERS:

 
 

WHO: Chinwe Okorie

Chinwe Okorie is a Nigerian-born writer, director, and editor in Austin, TX. At age six, she immigrated to the United States and watched her first film, Titanic. It was then that her love affair with cinema began. In college, her student-run TV station Topper TV received The Rising Star Award, and Study Breaks magazine featured Chinwe as their Next Big Thing in 2014. After college, Chinwe went on to write, direct, and edit short films including her most recent film, Lovebites, which is currently distributed by Issa Rae Presents.

Chinwe’s Featured Film: LOVEBITEScurrently distributing with Issa Rae Presents—follows one disorienting day in a young Black woman’s relationship with her boyfriend. The arthouse film employs split screens and a chilling audiovisual environment to raise questions about the nature of modern dating culture. The film depicts a Black twenty-something who just can’t seem to stay on the same page as her boyfriend, or even herself. Cat (Khali Sykes) has a mission to accomplish, and the audience is left to find out what it is until the very end of the film. Ukairo Ukairo stars alongside Sykes as her boyfriend, Chidi.

 
Photo by Bill Sallans.

Photo by Bill Sallans.

 

WHO: CHELSEA HERNANDEZ

Chelsea Hernandez is an 8-time Emmy winning director, producer and editor in the Lone Star region. She has worked in television since the ripe age of nine, hosting and co-producing a children's educational TV program with her mother. Recently, Chelsea completed her first feature documentary, Building the American Dream which premiered at SXSW and was financially supported by the Ford Foundation | JustFilms, Latino Public Broadcasting, Tribeca Film Institute, Firelight Media, Marcy Garriott, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Bay Area Video Coalition, Seed & Spark, and Austin Film Society. The film had its television broadcast debut on PBS on September 15, 2020. In 2019, Chelsea was selected as a Line Hotel / Big Medium Artist in Residence and lived and worked at the Line Hotel on a student debt art exhibition and podcast. She is currently in development on a feature documentary and fiction film, along with co-producing the New Orleans South Pitch Runner-Up short film IN TOW, directed by Sharon Arteaga.

Chelsea’s Featured Film: BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM is a feature documentary that follows three immigrant families who are rising up to seek justice and equality in an industry rife with exploitation. Across Texas, an unstoppable construction boom drives urban sprawl and luxury high-rises. Its dirty secret: abuse of immigrant labor. Building the American Dream captures a turning point as a movement forms to fight widespread construction industry injustices. Grieving their son, a Mexican family campaigns for a life-and-death safety ordinance. A Salvadorian electrician couple owed thousands in back pay fights for their children’s future. A bereaved son battles to protect others from his family's preventable tragedy. A story of courage, resilience and community, the film reveals shocking truths about the hardworking immigrants who build the American Dream, from which they are excluded.

 
 

WHO: EVELYN NGUGI

Evelyn Ngugi aka Evelyn from the Internets is a humor writer, digital storyteller, producer, and speaker based in Austin, Texas. She joined YouTube back in 2008, and today her channel has about 13 million views and 205,000 subscribers. She makes a grab bag of content, from travel vlogs and silly beauty guru-esque tutorials to funny first generation American stories and Black pop culture commentary. In 2017, she was a YouTube Creators For Change fellow, and received a grant to produce positive content that makes our world a better place. Naturally, she chose to talk to a puppet and wear a wig. She currently co-hosts and writes Say It Loud, a PBS Digital Studios show about Black histories and cultures. You can follow her on Instagram at @evelynfromtheinternets.

Evelyn’s Featured Film: HELLO, TIM chronicles a young woman participates in a documentary to explain the cautious relationship she has with the government agent she believes is tapping her devices. Hello, Tim premiered at Buffer Festival 2019 in Toronto, Canada and won the "Excellence In Comedy" award. You can watch the trailer for Hello, Tim here.

 
 

WHO: BRITTANY REEBER

Brittany Reeber is an award-winning filmmaker and producer. Her work encompasses music videos, projection, performance and short films in both documentary, narrative and something in-between. Originally from Florida, she is endlessly inspired by the Sunshine State and the ways in which it reflects the best and worst parts of humanity and our precarious relationship to the natural world. Her films are dark, funny and occasionally incorporate a choreographed dance routine.

Brittany’s Featured Film: THE CHEAP SEATS, a film by award-winning filmmaker and producer Brittany Reeber, is currently screening virtually around the country. Funded by the Austin Film Society, Kodak and American Documentary, it explores a real life psychic community in central Florida through a narrative approach that blends fact with fiction. Donna thinks psychics are just out to get her money, but she begrudgingly agrees to take Julianne to Cassadaga, Florida, the self-proclaimed “psychic capital of the world” where her skepticism is put to the test in this docu-narrative short starring Laura Cayouette (Queen Sugar, Django Unchained, Kill Bill Vol. 2) and a real-life Cassadaga medium, Nellie Conner. You can watch the trailer for The Cheap Seats here.

 
 

WHO: MEGHAN ROSS

Meghan Ross is a writer, producer, director, comedian, and activist. She’s the host of the all-women and non-binary late night show, That Time of the Month, as well as the weekly Instagram Live series No One Asked For This. Her first short film, An Uncomfortable Woman, premiered at Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival and her latest short film, If You Ever Hurt My Daughter, I Swear to God I’ll Let Her Navigate Her Own Emotional Growth, premiered on The New Yorker, featuring voiceover by Jon Hamm. Her writing has appeared in VICE’s Broadly, Reductress, The Toast, IFC, and Slackjaw.

Meghan’s Featured Film: AN UNCOMFORTABLE WOMAN is a dark comedy short film about Dylan, a 33-year-old woman experiencing a transitional period of her life. After the sudden death of her mother followed by the end of her long-term engagement, Dylan becomes obsessed with a foreboding thought: Don’t all bad things happen in threes? Sensing another tragedy lurks around the corner, Dylan must navigate her fear of being alone, the male species, and an unwanted house party, all while armed with questionable yet endearing support from her childhood best friend. (This screening will mark An Uncomfortable Woman’s Texas premiere.)

 
 

WHO: EMILY BASMA

Emily Basma is an Austin based photographer and filmmaker who explores myth, folklore, and iconography through a feminine gaze. Emily loves creating beautiful and atmospheric filmscapes that hopefully reminds the viewer of their most pleasant dreams.

Emily’s Short Film: SEEDS is a 16mm debut short film retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone through the lens of an American Tall Tale. The focus of the story is shifted to Persephone, allowing her the autonomy to decide her own fate.

 

LOOKING FOR MORE? Meet some of the Filmmakers-to-Watch in OUR NETWORK. :)

 

WHO: ERA MING

Era Ming is an agender queer of East Asian descent who currently resides in California. They are a genre writer who is interested in marginalized/neurodivergent characters searching for the truth, and they just finished a TV pilot about bringing back the dead to do good. You can follow Era on Twitter at @waxinglight.

Era’s short film, Tincture, is a magical realist thriller and an ode to queer longing, redemption, and the emotional memory of sacred objects.

 

WHO: Valarie Gold

Valarie Gold is a filmmaker born and raised in Austin, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in film where she did a variety of editing and producing roles on short narratives. Nowadays, her film work focuses on telling stories through symbolism and experimental mediums. One thing that she’s recently acknowledged is that filmmaking does not have to be for an audience. Be yourself and create art because it's an expression that is worth expressing— it doesn't have to be anything more than that. Valarie is currently a graduate student at UT Austin, getting her Masters in Media Studies and her secondary English Teacher Certification. Her goal is to focus on youth agency through media production and literacy in public education. 

Valarie’s latest project, Limerence Sucks You Dry, is a short reflection on toxic relationships. She made this film as an emotional release, with the intent of healing and finding internal growth. Plus, Super 8 cameras and film are fun to work with.

 

WANT TO ATTEND CREATIVE MEDICINE?

You can RSVP for the virtual film showcase here. To find out more about Creative Medicine and the events within the series, head to bossbabes.org/creativemedicine.

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On Performing, Passion And Staying Paid: DJ La Moon

In conversation with bbatx committee member Diamond Hawkins, bbatx resident artist DJ La Moon chatted with us about her passion for music and performing and what her day-to-day looks like as a performer, DJ and business owner.

As part of our ongoing digital residency, we’re spotlighting our recent interview with La Moon, an Austin-based recording artist, DJ, radio personality and co-owner of Night Owl Studios.

In conversation with bbatx committee member Diamond Hawkins, La Moon talked with us about her passion for music and performing, how she draws the most inspiration from other women, and what her day-to-day looks like as a performer, DJ and business owner.


ABOUT DJ LA MOON:

La Moon is a recording artist, DJ, radio personality and co-owner of Night Owl Studios in Austin, Texas. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, La Moon has loved music since she can remember.
In 2012, she started DJing every weekend at a popular club in Old San Juan and has performed in Miami, Colombia, New York, California, New Jersey, Chicago and more. La Moon’s goal is to perform and have her music heard around the world.
Her supporters gave her the title "La Reina del Perreo" because they love her explosive Reggaeton/Perreo DJ Sets.

In 2019, La Moon started releasing original music in Spanish and singing live. Her popular songs are "Lunática", "Violenta" and "Algo Sexual"—some real sexy dancing bops. She really enjoys collaborating and creating with other like-minded individuals, and she strives to provide a comfortable, professional, creative, good vibes recording studio called Night Owl Studios with her fianceé and two great friends. You can keep up with her on Twitch every Tuesday from 7 to 8 PM CT and during her “Cafe y Perreo” morning DJ sets.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself. :)

My real name is Kristiany and I'm originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, but I moved to Austin. I love music—I DJ, I sing, I’m the co-owner of a music studio here in Austin, and I work on the radio. I like to do everything that has to do music, entertaining, creating and having a good time. That’s usually what La Moon does. 

Let’s start with your stage name. Where did it come from?

Well, I've always been known by my real name, Kristiany, but then after the hurricane [Hurricane Maria] happened, I moved to New York because I was trying to leave the island. So, I moved to New York, and I would notice that Uber drivers wouldn’t know how to say my name. No one knew how to say my name! Literally that first weekend, almost instantly, I was like, I need to change my name, because no one’s going to book me. No one’s going to remember me if my name's this complicated.

I wanted to do something in Spanglish because I do things in English and Spanish. Spanglish is another language that I really speak, so I decided on La Moon! Because I'm a night owl! “La” in Spanish and “moon” in English. Anyone can say it in any language or accent. 

What inspires you to create?

I just love expressing myself. I love being in good vibes. I love being relaxed. I like setting a mood, and I like to set that mood for other people. I just like people in general, so I make music for them. I like to express myself, but I also think about my demographic and who's going to listen to it. 


I usually get inspired by women and our stories—us having fun, us being sad, us trying to get over stuff. You know what I mean? Us being badasses! Women always inspire me. Every time a woman compliments me, it means a little bit more than if a guy does it for some reason. Drake could tell me that my song was the bomb, but if some 17-year-old-girl told me, “Oh my God, you're the bomb,” I would be like, “Oh my god, a girl liked it!” I would feel so good.

 

What does your day-to-day look like?

Honestly, it depends on the day of the week. Monday through Friday, I'm at the radio station (Enchufe Radio Digital). I do a 30-minute DJ set, and then the night before, I have my listeners vote between two songs, and they choose which song they want. So, I have to think ahead of time about the songs they’d want to vote for and if it’d be a hard battle. Stuff like that. That’s me with my radio stuff.

If I'm at the studio, my daily schedule might change. If it's the studio I co-own, then we’re thinking of services, how to bring people in, things like that. If it's me creating my own songs in the studio, I pretty much try to create every second I can because when it hits you, it just comes. You just live life and things come to you at any time. So I’ll be listening to beats, getting some lyrics in… some feels. Whenever I know there's no clients, I'll try to record. I make music, and then if I have to DJ at the club, I use that time to practice and create stuff. Usually when I'm on the radio live on air, I’ll be practicing deejaying five times a week, plus on the weekends. I'm deejaying almost everyday. I do love it, but I love making music more. Performing—being live in front of people—is my favorite. 


I love it because I hate waiting. I feel like I'm very patient and zen, but I'm actually so freaking impatient. Every time I perform, I don't know… for some reason, at least in the past, I always fight. I always get into an argument with others every time I have an event. I just feel like we [performers] give so much love, but at the same time, we know we deserve the love.


That's pretty much it for my day-to-day. But sometimes, everything goes crazy. I would get a message saying, “Oh, we want to do this today.” I'll go, but I also have to prepare for other things. I’ll have to go to the studio because something's happening, or we have a meeting at the studio. It can be very hectic, but I like it because it keeps me occupied, and honestly, I like making money. We’re hustling here, you know? So right now, I'm just trying to do everything I can. I don't have a studio here [at home], so I can't make music. Everything's in the studio, but the building it’s in is currently closed.

What do you do when you wake up in the morning? Do you have a specific routine?

For my best self, I definitely need to meditate for twenty minutes. Ten minutes is not enough anymore. I actually got that from J Balvin. He does it for twenty minutes a day, so that encouraged me to take that step since ten minutes wasn’t doing it for me anymore. I used to meditate for ten minutes without guidance, but then I did it for the first time guided, and I feel like it helps to make the time pass by quicker and get me to where I want to be mentally, you know—uplifted, relaxed and everything's beautiful. It makes me feel really good, and it really makes a difference. I also have to walk my dog, and she just makes me so happy. My baby girl! 

In the morning, I like to drink water with lemon and lime. I’ll have friends over, and they’ll be like, “Why are you so bougie with your lemon-lime water at your house?” I'm like, “What's wrong with you? Just let me be!” 
After that, I usually like to take a shower. Well, the first thing I do is brush my teeth, but then I'll take a shower, do my makeup, and listen to music while I'm doing that. (My morning mix is about 90% Bad Bunny.)

Then, I go off and do what I have to do. The first thing I do is usually go to the radio station, but I have to meditate, though. To me, it’s about patience. You know how many times things change in a day? Something last-minute usually happens to me. I’m used to it—that's part of life. All I can change is myself and how I deal with it.

 

What sparked your interest in your craft?

I've always loved music. I was that girl in every talent show, you know what I mean? I just did that all the time, but I never pursued it as a career until I graduated from college.


I studied kinesiology while I was living in Puerto Rico. What I wanted to do was do a boot camp on the beach once or twice on the weekends and have a DJ playing. So, we’re all on the beach looking cute, and it’s kind of like an obstacle course. People run it about ten times, all that stuff. So, I started doing that, but then if I was trying to book a DJ, they were like $100 or $150. I was just like, You know what? That's too expensive. Like, I'm not going to book you. You're not going to make more money than me. 


So, I got the equipment, and then I learned through YouTube. I made the mix really simple because it's workout music. It's not like club music. It's much simpler. I just have to put on the banging songs. I premixed it, got my friend to fake being the DJ, and that was it! 


Then, one of my friends from high school owned a bar there, but she had a really bad DJ, so I suggested she let me DJ there! The DJ would be playing techno, and no one in Puerto Rico wants techno. They just want Reggaetón, hip-hop and salsa. I told her that no one was coming to her bar because of the DJ playing techno. She didn’t want to cancel him because he was her brother's friend, and I understood that. But then one day, he got booked to do something else, so I told her to let me do it. And she said OK! I had one or two days to prepare. I have a lot of friends because I went to high school and college there, and it's a tiny Island. Everyone pretty much knows each other. I told people that I was going to DJ there, and it ended up being packed. There was a line at the side of the bar, and that really convinced her to drop that guy because, like, it's good money. No one was coming in for the month that she had it open, and I just told her that it was because she just needed someone that puts on what people actually want to listen to.

What was that experience like?

It was so lit! Because I was young—I was out of college, but I was like, what, 22? Like, lit years, you know what I mean? Now I'm 34, so that's what I'm saying. You know the song “Champagne Showers” by LMFAO? I got my friends on the bar making champagne pop! We made it like a Miami club.

How do you get through creative mental blocks? 

I never write a full song. I just write emotions or one verse or something. Then I go to the studio, and whenever I'm on the mic I say other stuff or take in more ideas. I've noticed that I get roadblocked when I'm on a deadline. In my mind, I’m saying what I have to do and what I have to finish instead of just going in and chilling, because of the time limits. That's why I want a studio in my house. That’s the next thing I'm doing.

If you could tell something to your younger self, what would you say?

I feel like I was way more confident when I was younger. I would do whatever. I wouldn't even think things through. That could have been a good thing, could have been a bad thing. I just feel like I shouldn’t have listened to other people’s opinions and just have listened to my own. That's why I studied kinesiology in college, because my parents were really against me doing anything in music. If I didn't listen to them, I would've just studied music and been this boss and probably would have been different. I graduated, and then I had to study and learn again. It felt like I did eight years of learning. 


But at the same time, maybe that made me more hungry, more driven. That's probably why I do, like, ten things at once. It's hard to have friends that understand me, because they have their nine-to-five job and they come back home and they're like, “When are we brunching? Where are we shopping?” And I’m like, I need to get booked for a DJ gig at the brunch. I'll see you there. That's how I think—money, money, money.

 

LISTEN TO DJ LA MOON’S BABES FEST RADIO MIX. :)

About This Mix:

This mix by DJ La Moon will get you amped and feeling fierce. Let yourself go in this ultra hype set of eclectic rhythms and bouncy beats. Featuring exclusive and unreleased tracks by Las Mas Violenta. You can tune in to DJ La Moon's livestream show every Tuesday at twitch.tv/djlamoon.

TRACKLIST:

1. W.E.R.K (edit)

2. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Fruity Set Jersey Style)

3. TNGHT & M.I.A. - BAD GOOOORLS (BAVR RMX)

4. La Goony Chonga - Claro Que Si (Perreo Mix) 

5. Cesar Mannix x Hernande2 x Neddo - COSITA 

6. Saweetie - Tap In (MarkCutz Multi Beat Blend)

7. Muy Caliente Versano Laroz x Mc V.e.g.a Dancehall

8. Sak Noel X Salvi X Franklin Dam - Tócame (Hater Perreo Del Sucio Remix)

9. Ducky - Work__ EMPYREAN TEARS REMIX (dembow edit) 

10. Rosalía - A Palé (PAPITO PEACE EDIT) 

11. Princess Nokia - I Like Him (Olzhas Serikov & Niceskeik Remix) 

12. Dj Karaca feat. Truth Hurts - Addictive (2016 remix) 

13. Tragame - Salon Sandunga feat. Ayotamz 

14. Ms Nina - Rico Rico (Prod Beauty Brain) 

15. Give It To Me - Nouriginal 

16. Cardi B - WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion) (OAKK Bootleg) 

17. BURN THE DISCO - Afterparty 

18. IZDA - B.T.$.U. 

19. Baby Work It (Ramuro Diaz Remix) 

20. Missy Elliott - Work It (acapella)

21. Tove Lo - Disco Tits (HARD HABITS EDIT) 

22. Gypsy Woman (Gafacci Remix)

23. Bambaataa Drip 

24. Callaita (GC og Edit) 

25. NO PONY edit

26. Satisfaction (Gafacci Edit)

27. Vamos A Jugar En El Sol - MËGA & Airsoft

28. Space Jams - Move Ya Body (TMB Edit) 

29. drill my name (Λ N N Λ B E L flip)

30. Ayo Tamz x DJ la Moon - Aye Papi (Las Mas Violenta unreleased)

31. DJ La Moon - La Villa

32.  Ayo Tamz x DJ la Moon -Trakate (Las Más Violenta unreleased)



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