by joel martens –
The roots of mariachi began in the 18th century when the local indigenous, small-town musicians would perform for the weddings of the hacienda owners. They used traditional and modified versions of violins, guitars, harps, brass instruments and woodwinds, blending the European and those indigenous rhythms, creating the unique sounds, rhythms and styles.
Rich in tradition, yes, but like many old-fashioned bastions… well let’s just say they aren’t always rich in acceptance. Intolerance Carlos Samaniego faced as a part of traditional mariachi bands, so much so, that it drove him to break away, starting the world’s first LGBTQ mariachi. “Mariachi Arcoiris was created as a result of the ongoing mocking and bullying that I endured while playing with different mariachi groups. I felt the need to create a safe space for people like myself, where one can be free of the ‘machismo’ and negative forces that I had to endure.”
As to how sexual identity affected his ability to play, Samaniego astutely offered, “My sexuality has never affected my ability to play in any mariachi band. Rather, it affected the way I was treated and accepted… or lack thereof.”
A gifted child, Samaniego was imbued with music from a very early age. “I come from a musical family—my father taught me to sing at a very young age—I first started playing an instrument as an early teen in middle school. I heard the school mariachi [play], and I wanted to be a part of it. My first instrument was the guitarron, which is the bass of the group.”
“I felt the need to create a safe space for people like myself, where one can be free of the ‘machismo’ and negative forces that I had to endure.”
As an adult, Samaniego went on to study a broad range of music, traveling and growing as a musician, “I studied classical violin for a long time and then classical opera. I have a BA in music and studied opera in Italy and New York.”
Fellow band member Natalia Melendez, also a founding member of Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, was herself a original in the mariachi world. She is the first transgender woman to work in the musical tradition. “Natalia and I have known each other since we were teenagers, when we were in what used to be a youth mariachi,” offered Samaniego. “Back then, Natalia identified as Julio or Jay and we’ve remained good friends for over 20 years. She was instrumental in helping me understand and accept my sexual identity.”
When it came to choosing a name for the group, the two thought long and hard about how best to represent themselves, as they brought their version of Mexican music and folklore to Southern California. “Arcoiris is ‘rainbow’ in Spanish and I felt that this was both a beautiful name and significant, given the rainbow flag representation of the LGBTQ community,” Samaniego recalled.
“We added Los Angeles to the name to pay homage to the city in which we live. It’s thanks to living in this very liberal and forward-thinking area, that we are even free to come together and form this group.”
It would seem there might be an added level of pressure as performers to excel, especially as the first in a competitive field that might look for you to fail. Samaniego was quick to point out how positive the response has been.
“There are two occasions in which I was surprised by the response of the audience. The first was at a mariachi festival in Boyle Heights, it was the first time we performed for a broader audience, which was not necessarily a friendly environment. We were introduced as the first LGBTQ mariachi, and when we were done with our performance the audience was so enthralled that they chanted ‘otra, otra,’ which means encore. Prior to that point in the festival, I was informed that no other mariachi had been asked for an encore,” he proudly said.
“The second instance was when we performed for a religious church service, known to be an all-inclusive, LGBTQ, non-denominational church,” continued Samaniego. “At the beginning of the pastor’s sermon, he introduced me as the director of the first LGBTQ mariachi, at which point the congregation rose to their feet and applauded me for no less than ten minutes. It literally brought me to tears.”
Music is indeed the great equalizer, it spans all cultures, sexualities and attitudes. In a way, Mariachi Arcoiris are true ambassadors, using traditional Mexican music to expand LGBTQ cultural awareness. “We certainly see ourselves as representatives of various minority groups, cultures, and subcultures,” Samaniego agreed.
“We are Latinx, women, transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, queer, Mexican, Mexican-Americans mariachi musicians. We want to show the general public the beauty that is mariachi music; and we want to show the mariachi and/or Mexican community that we can perform mariachi music at the highest level.”
“I knew that having the first LGBTQ mariachi would create controversy and bring about negative comments, and that’s okay,” he continued. “I can deal with that. But I must ensure that the same people who speak ill about us because of who we are, can’t speak ill about how we play our music.”
Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles perform during Long Beach Pride Weekend at Hotel Maya on Sunday, May 19, during Fuego’s Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look for them also at Santa Ana’s Mariachi Festival on Saturday, May 25. For more information on the band or their other performance dates, go to mariachiarcoiris.com.