Interview by Wesley Smoot

Weslo: Hey Queens, Wesley Smoot coming to you live from Austin City Limits 2021, I’m here with Austin’s own, award-winning, singer/songwriter, Gina Chavez. How are you? How’s your ACL?

Gina Chavez: Awesome! Glad to be here.

Weslo: How was your performance?

Gina Chavez: Oh my gosh, we slayed it!

Gina Chaves ACL FEST 2021- PHOTO CREDIT Charles Reagan ©Charles Reagan

Weslo: You really did!

Gina Chavez: Yes!

Weslo: I love it. It’s great seeing that ACL brings in local talent, but you’re also a Latin Grammy nominated artist and proud lesbian.. that said, there seems to be a lot of great LGBTQ representation this year. Can you speak on that? The importance of LGBTQ representation?

Gina Chavez: Of course, as we all know, representation does matter. I will say, ACL is not targeted directly to nor marketed as an LGBTQ festival, so I do like to think being part of the line-up has more to do with me being an exceptional musician. I will say, the organizers did a great job this year bringing in all kinds of artists. That will always be important. There are a lot of queer messages in my music, I talk about my relationship with my wife. Ultimately, I hope we’re just making good music that connects with people.

Weslo: Yasss!!! I have to tell you, last night, we were partying, drinking some tequila and jamming out to “La Que Manda…”

Gina Chavez: Yassss!!!

Weslo: If you haven’t heard this single, Im putting a link at the bottom. It’s got this amazing, funk/Latin fusion sound, super high energy, but also a very important message. Can you speak on that?

Gina Chavez: Sure. I think the short version of La Que Manda, and for those who don’t know what that means.. it’s basically a woman in charge. She-Boss, Boss-Babe, Boss-Bitch! hahahaha… It’s very much a song about the power women have. I think for me, I have come to a point after traveling and being in places from Japan to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and all over Latin America, that its unfortunate, almost ubiquitous that from the time we’re born, girls are asked to be very small, to be quiet, be pleasing, smile, be polite and grateful. It’s not “lady like” to ask for more and especially demand more- To know we are more and La Que Manda is basically a reckoning with me understanding the world asking me to be small.. and while I been angry at that, I’m sad I ever believed it. For most of my life I believed that was my place. So this is a song that says “F” that. I’m so much more than the little box the world gave me. And every woman is so much more, every person is so much more. How much better of a world would we have if we could all live to our fullest potential? The song is literally meant to be a sacred cry of the power within us.

Weslo: And you can rock out to it with some tequila!

Gina Chavez: Yes! Hahaha… And tequila can help you on that journey of discovering your power.

Weslo: Speaking of female empowerment and strong messages, Niñas Arribas… This is a project you and your wife, Jodi Granado started, can you tell us more?

Gina Chavez: Yes! Also, I like that you’ve done your research, that means a lot. I was a journalism major, used to being on the other side of the interview, So thank you. Before me and my wife we were married we did mission work in El Salvador, living with nuns through a catholic volunteer program. Our lives were forever changed by the people and the love we received. So much so, we wanted to continue connecting. Jodie, my wife thought of starting a college scholarship fund. We talked to the young women we taught and learned they all wanted to go to college but couldn’t and here we are now 11 years later.

Weslo: Incredible work! What’s it like running an organization like Ninas Arribas with your wife.?

Gina Chavez: Well, she’s also my manager…

Weslo: Oh God! I don’t know if I could handle that with my hubby. We’d kill each other.

Gina Chavez: It can be a lot (laughing) but we’ve been together for 16 years.

Weslo: Wow! Congrats. Is there anything else can you tell us about Ninas Arribas since it started?

Gina Chavez: Definitely… We fund high quality, low cost private education for young women in El Salvador. We have to date four graduates, we also have a paid internship program for after graduation. We all need champions, people in our lives that can open a door for us and that’s what we do for these young women. We give them an opportunity.

Weslo: You really bring your music into real action. Thank you for everything you do. Do you have new music coming out?

Gina Chavez: Yes! I have a remix of our song “She Persited”, it’s destined to be a Gay Pride anthem. Be ready to throw on your rainbows and glitter and get fabulous! We have a music video coming out November 5th, it will feature queens from Ru Paul’s Drag Race and yours truly in drag.

Weslo: Oh my God! I can’t wait to see! Ok, so last question, who are some of your favorite queer artists? Is there any one we should be looking out for?

Gina Chavez: You know, when I think about those who have become heroes, for me like a Brandi Carlile, she’s been on the scene for a while and is finally getting the recognition she deserves. A pioneer in what it means to be your true self. She’s such a hero of mine. Ani DiFranco, was someone who started my whole song-writing career and before I knew I was a lesbian. I should have known, right? hahahaha… Then there’s people like, Kany García, who has made huge waves in the Latin sphere. For those like her I think it can be difficult to come out as a queer artist in Latin music. Jesse & Joy are another.

Weslo: It seems like there is a big movement, especially for people of color to come out and be proud of who they are.

Gina Chavez: I agree. It’s our time!

Weslo: Well, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. I look forward to hearing more of your music and can’t wait to see the She Persisted music video November 5th.

Gina: Thank you, and thank you for doing your research. Again, means a lot.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW- GINA CHAVEZ Austin City Limits 2021