Today we’d like to introduce you to Louda Camacho.
Louda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Entertaining has always been apart of my life; cliche but true. My father’s youth was enjoyed as a DJ and my mother is a natural born leader and event organizer. Growing up, I was always the class clown for reasons I only understood these last couple years. Rather than allow people to make fun of me, I would intentionally make the joke so my audience and I could laugh together. This insecurity grew with me, through high school, where my high school teacher began to twist and assist with organizing these feelings of stardom. After earning a B.A. in vocal performance from Northeastern Illinois University, there was no denying my vocation. I began to tell myself things like, “I can’t imagine working in any other field; front of house, back of house – this is where I belong. Just as like pilot, flys, I sing. This is what I am going to school for – to perform.”
In-between, I began a successful union with a Chicago local ska band. I gained popularity and interest in the pop music industry, all while practicing Puccini and Schubert repertoire. Working with the ska group, was quite the learning experience; management, booking, rehearsal, merchandising, and especially vocal health. We parting ways for personal reasons. I completed school, was jobless and without a creative outlet; a depression settled. There is nothing like a true low to bounce off of; thus, was the birth of LOUDA.
In 2015, I began working with 20XX productions, towards our first EP, Dealbreaker. Most importantly, I was believing in myself again. Though Chicago was my home, I always dreamed of reaching greater audiences; different audiences. Participation in DIY events and shows’ of friends, was great, but I needed more. Calling upon college mate musicians, I tried launching a Jazz/Cover band, Banda LOUDA. After a short run of three shows, booking and rehearsals were strenuous on the team. Likewise, the gigs weren’t available or as apparent without “knowing” talent buyers and the like.
During this time, I visited Long Beach with prospects of finally living somewhere that wasn’t Chicago. Deciding to jump ship and try LOUDA somewhere else, I drove to Long Beach California, September 2017. My friends and connections of LBC turned sour after a month, still, I had hope. All the love I left behind in Chicago was rooting from me; LOUDA doesn’t stop here. I can’t let them down, I would tell myself. In a decision that took all of 10 minutes, I took my chances on San Francisco. Fortunately, my producer was stationed in the Bay on non-music related business. Traveling across the country and having zero knowledge of the Bay Area – I took a leap of faith. Honest, what could I lose?
Here in the Bay, I have been welcomed with open arms. It is a city I never imagined I would visit beyond the airport. Though I’m very hard working and determined, luck has been on my side through and through; being at the right place at the right time and trusting my intuition. Only two weeks into October, I was able to find my own (reasonably priced) room, a dedicated jazz guitarist and best friend with like minded musicianship, and freelance work as a child care taker and music instructor. Working 9 to 5’s and 5 to 9’s is the life of a struggling artist, and I am right on track.
Still at it, I’m learning about booking, managing, rehearsing and saving my voice; my instrument. Dreams of having my own band and still performing solo, have manifested. I hold residency and host a variety show at popular venues like Revolution Cafe and El Rio. We have played SF Cinco de Mayo, which landed us out most recent Pittsburg Seafood and Music Festival, sharing the stage as openers for, Sheila E, and Oakland Pride! I am in connection with DJ’s and no for profits like Dreamerfund and Bay Area Queer Magazine, sharing my talent for the greater good; sharing my love of the arts.
Hard work is undeniable when the results are beaming in your face. At some point, I had to believe in myself more than the belief surrounding me. LOUDA represents more than me. It is my family, the outspoken; for people who need a little push to feel and express just how special they are.
Has it been a smooth road?
I was always fascinated by the thought of everyone living and seeing life around them, differently. I used to feel as if I was watching the world from behind my eyes. Shy, unless I wanted to goof out. For some time, growing up, I didn’t understand the power of my voice; inner thoughts, projection, opinions, expression. For another time as an adult, I thought, someone else can fix me, like a partner.
The road to self-love and care do not come easy for everyone. Never forced but always encouraged, I would deny anyone asking me to sing. No, No, No. I will not jump when you ask. My biggest struggle was learning love myself enough to share my talent. Not only because it was special to me, but because it made others feel just as special. Franz Lizst expressed how it is a performer duty to share; inspire.
Take a step back from the chaos, from your partner, from your job, just far enough to observe the organism. What gives it life, what takes it apart? I learned this by dissecting a classical repertoire. Who should I be? How should I act this phrase? What was this person feeling? With enough practice outside of myself, I became better at being myself. No one can fix me if I don’t care to. No one can make me happy, as long as I am unhappy.
We’d love to hear more about LOUDA y Los Bad Hombres.
I am a 2nd generation latina creative and entrepreneur. Known for my vocal fluidity and charismatic performance, I am a songwriter and lyricist, band manager, booking agent, and children’s book storyteller/entertainer.
Recently, I’ve added a gear in performing Nursery rhymes and kids songs – kind of like Barney or The Wiggles. Based in Charlie’s Corner Bookstore of Noe Valley, San Francisco, my “Bad Hombre” friends (guitarist, drummer) and me are LOUDA y Los Charlies. It is so surprising to see my act change from a plug and play open mics, to cocktail gigs, to grand stages with festival audiences, to a room of nearly 70 nannies and babies ages 2 months to 6 years. The best is actually working hard to capture their attention. At some point, the night gigs began to feel like “auto-pilot.” Not to say, I don’t enjoy them, rather saying, I appreciate the challenge.
So, I run three types of performances; solo act “LOUDA” with small comedic bits that cushion 20XX beats playing via phone or DJ, “LOUDA y Los Bad Hombres”, a 6 piece Latin funk ensemble fusing hip-hop and jazz, serving the best grooves in the Bay, and now “LOUDA y Los Charlies”, we are happy and we know it so we show it *clap clap*.
I very happy doing what I do, and it shows. Dedication to my audience comes immediately after my humble self-admiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDDlNKegvo&feature=youtu.be
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
My high school teacher is where it all started. Yes, my mom and dad always believed in me. They always made every effort to travel to American Idol auditions, to pay for grossly priced acting classes, classes I never appreciated till later in life. They always threw their hand up for talent shows, they purchased my first piano and guitar, and even skateboard, which I still haven’t learned to ride. They even took me to a studio where I recorded over Eden’s Crush instrumental, “Get Over Yourself, Good Bye,” so that I had a proper demo CD. My parents are so apart of how much love I have for myself for showing me, true unconditional love.
Leaving 8th grade, the forever class clown, I remember watching a PBS documentary about jazz, specifically Louis Armstrong. He was scattin’ on the large TV that was sitting atop wheels, and I was mimicking the scat, clowning around – when I shouldn’t have been. The summer before high school, my parents drove me to Jones College Prep, for their choir audition. After my first official warm-up, my future high school teacher said, “Kid, stick with me and you’re going to be a star.”
This is when I began to understand true performance and musicianship. I joined Volleyball freshman year as well our after-school vocal jazz ensemble and participated in an advanced choir – with all the seniors – all four years. Shortly after losing my first volleyball game, I quit the team. There wasn’t enough time to be a volleyball star and music star. Her words of love resonated, and I was dedicated. Without meeting Ms.Klopack, maybe I would have been more coordinated on the court, perhaps I would’ve spent more time writing poetry.
We worked together, every day; half of the lunch period, after school jazz choir and weekend trips to the city and statewide contests, auditions, and soon after scholarship assistance. We worked on classical repertoire and vocal improve; Voice lessons, body posture, the importance of self-awareness. I knew what my parents knew, but Ms.Klopack opened my heart to what life I could have. Up until meeting her music was fun; music became my discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.loudamusic.com
- Phone: 773-688-8684
- Email: loudamusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/louda.music
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/loudamusic
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/loudamusic
- Other: www.soundcloud.com/loudamusic
Image Credit:
Danny De Leon (all bad hombre shots; shots in the chartsuse skirt at Cinco De Mayo), Khori Wilson
(pink backdrop), OddlyG Davidson (popstar sunset face shot; megamall graffiti shot)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
