In our conversation with Hector Longoria of NDGO (pronounced indigo), we dive into the history of the band, the inspiration behind their latest single “I See You”, his hope on its meaning to others, and more.
ATN: How did NDGO come together?
HECTOR: NDGO was actually a band called Aviarist in the beginning. Just a bunch of guys looking for music and loved hanging out. It was established with many key players, however, NDGO started with Sidney Steelhammer and myself continuing from Aviarist into our next chapter. We eventually transitioned into a collective of highly talented individual artists. I now have Jeremy Garcia, who’s his own entity. His previous role with us was one of managerial sorts. He stepped in when it was needed and became our amazing drummer and marketing guru. Hit that man up for all things marketing. He has great energy and has shown a lot of love and dedication to NDGO. Then I have Fuego Dave. This man is another entity of his own. I can’t wait to see the day he exposes that because there’s some massive stuff that he is working on. I met Dave through Catch Your Breath when we played a show with them in Austin, TX. I loved his energy and talent. Just like Jeremy, we really kicked it off and then started writing music together. Dave now plays guitar for NDGO. And that’s how NDGO came to be.
ATN: With NDGO‘s diverse influences from pop, R&B, and hard rock, how do you integrate these different musical elements into your sound to create NDGO’s sound?
HECTOR: Anything that made me feel happy as a kid I’ve noticed has been showing its light through my music. Games, movies, etc. For example the song right now playing, “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey. It’s how we grew up around it. How it makes me feel. There are certain songs that make you feel only in that moment, but there are other songs that are capable of crossing through generations. They have these particular sounds that somehow continue to impact any person that listens to it at any time. To name a few: Journey, Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar, Prince and The Used, maybe? Lol, I love The Used!
ATN: How would you describe NDGO’s sound in five words?
HECTOR: True. Sensational. Chaotic. Worthy. Sassy.
ATN: Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your latest single, “I See You,” and the message you aimed to convey through the song?
HECTOR: Honestly, there’s so many things about this topic. Programmed mainstream media refuses to make any notations on the matter, so it’s up to each individual to have a voice. I don’t want to make you think about anything other than your life and your reality, but there’s one right thing to do. Stop this sh*t, plain and simple. And when I come across people not wanting to share a message like this, it’s kind of weird to me. That has shown me that I don’t want to be a part of those that stay silent. I want to be part of removing that from our timeline. A timeline where each human being knows what they are worth and that they are not for monetary gain, ESPECIALLY a child. We have recently seen movements of people being vocal, but why is it taking us this long to do something about it, you know? If you have kids you know what the f*ck I’m talking about. The thought or feeling of someone’s child being ripped from their steps, is heart wrenching. As a matter of fact, I saw a video the other day of a child being ripped from his mother’s arms. That’s insane! These are just things that I felt when writing this song. I have hopes that people will be the change that we our world needs and would love to see. Bottom line is, all kids should just be safe and to know they can be safe around their community.
ATN: Was there a moment during your discussion with Josh that made you realise you were going to write the song or did that come afterwards?
HECTOR: Normally, during our writing sessions, we would discuss what we wanted to write about. (Now, I feel like I’m on a new frequency and found my own way to write.) In 2021, during this particular writing session with Josh (aka writing genius) the border crisis came up. We were all aware since we are not that far away from it. After a brief discussion, the song just came to be. I had a rough draft of a melody and I felt strong emotions coming in. It just made sense to delve into this subject matter and it ended up feeling more like a score than a song. The urgency of this track was massive. Sidney’s riffs and Josh’s production combined just fell into place, like puzzle pieces. We had a makeshift vocal booth in Sidney’s spare closet. It was dark and very closed in. Vocally, I was able to do things differently because of the feeling of being in there with the enclosed walls.
ATN: It has been mentioned that recording “I See You” evoked strong emotions for you. Could you elaborate on how you navigated those emotions while recording?
HECTOR: Over the years, we’ve seen the statistics in numbers of missing children increasing and we all just accepted it in a sense. At times, there didn’t seem to be an urgency to find them and during recording, I started thinking about that. I have two daughters and just the thought of having one of them taken away from me is too much to bear. Navigating those emotions was a difficult process, but it felt necessary. Honestly, I just channeled it and laid down what I wanted people to hear. I knew that if we could give the listener a song worth listening to then they could catch onto the message and help them understand what the song is about. Hoping they become aware that this is a significant topic to face and correct.
ATN: You’ve yet to play this song live and said that it’s been a struggle due to the emotion and rage you are overcome with. How will you navigate the emotional challenges of performing the song live? Do you have a sense of fear or nervousness about showing those emotions to your fans?
HECTOR: It’s always nerve wracking to get on stage, but being nervous is good. If you’re not nervous, then you’re doing something wrong. However, when the time comes to sing this song I know I’ll just have to do it, it is what it is. Having fear is something I don’t want to have. It can be good to build on, but it’s’ more nervousness than anything else. I just want people to hear this song live how I imagine it needs to be heard. Which means, I am ready to show people the most genuine version of myself.
ATN: Given the sensitive subject matter of “I See You,” what impact do you hope the song will have on listeners, and what discussions or actions do you aim to inspire through your music?
HECTOR: All I want is that you aspire to inspire one another. That’s it. I’m not trying to create a crazy movement, I’m not asking for anything like that. Inspire yourself to be your truest form and if you feel strong enough, you decide where to go from there. Know that we are all real. We have something inside that keeps us connected. When it comes to this sensitive subject matter I hope that you can help in spotting it and calling it out. Those things will change the world into a better direction. SHIFT.
ATN: How do you approach songwriting and collaboration within the band? What does the creative process typically look like for NDGO when developing new music?
HECTOR: Previously, I would get a riff in my head and Sidney and I would sit in a room to build on it. Nowadays, I’m blasted with a ton of melodies and sounds in my head and if it’s interesting enough to me I pull out the voice recorder and start figuring out how it should be composed. I’ve always had this, but didn’t really hone in on it until last year with Kevin Kerestes. So now I present these sounds to Kevin, which is how these new (unreleased) songs are being created. Everything considered, the collaboration with musicians has always been me mouthing a riff sound or humming a melody and we go from there.
ATN: What’s next for NDGO?
HECTOR: DYNO is next.
SAME 3 QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK
ATN: Artist / band that you feel is the most underrated and why?
HECTOR: NDGO because that sh*t slaps. (hahaha)
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to collaborate with and why?
HECTOR: Funny enough I’ve had this discussion and my honest answer is that I don’t have anyone in mind other than my friends. I collaborate with the producers I know and write with my buddies. When the time comes for a collaboration, it’ll just make sense. We’ll know. It’s not something I look for because I’m not looking for one particular person. I try not to run towards something, I want to attract and create what I think the people need to hear at that time.
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to tour with and why?
HECTOR: I’ll tour with anyone, as long as they are sweethearts and fun. I mainly would love to tour with my friends. There’s a reason they are in my life and are my friends.
Photo by Tyler Slatton
EDITOR’S NOTE: artist stylises their name in all caps
