Atención Music Spotlight: Alain Arroyo - A Voice Full Of Joy

By Felecia Ford

Mexican vocalist Alain Arroyo grew up listening to the voices of Pedro Vargas and Jorge Negrete, alongside artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Ray Charles. His voice was also shaped by country, soul, blues, pop, and even hip-hop. We are fortunate to hear his voice resonating through the streets of San Miguel de Allende on any given night.

FF: When I first heard your voice, I thought to myself, who is this guy, and why is he not famous? What first inspired you to sing?

AA: My dad preached and directed the choir in Querétaro and as a child I would listen and sing at the feet of the singers. I realized then that my voice was a powerful way to share and connect with my feelings. I started practicing music as a way of life years later, when I started working as a professional singer at the age of 19.

FF: Your voice is extraordinarily versatile—you move effortlessly between styles and eras. Can you share how this superpower came to be?

AA: Well, that’s my mom and dad’s fault. My parents were extraordinary singers who never dedicated themselves to music professionally. My dad could have had a major musical career, but he instead chose to dedicate himself to his family. On Sundays he would play country and soul music at home and mom often played Mexican music among other genres we enjoyed. I sang along as a child and I was inclined to imitate voices. Emulating sounds is a joy for me so that has always encouraged me to explore new genres and styles.

FF: How do you think growing up in Mexico has influenced your approach to singing?

AA: I think that being a Mexican singer is by nature already passionate. Mexico is a country that fights and suffers, but gets ahead every day. The themes are loaded with strong emotions. One cannot sing songs of that nature without connecting emotionally, and you cannot connect emotionally without having lived and struggled as well.

FF: I so agree. Who encouraged you to use your voice?

AA: God, mom and dad who gave me life and from whom I inherited my voice, along with all of my family. Samuel de la Torre who booked me on my first professional stage and lastly the “Unknown Guitarist”, who encouraged me to decide that music would be a way of life for me—I will never know his name but that was a defining moment in my life.

FF: Proving that a little encouragement goes a long way. What are some highlights from your musical career?

AA: I’ve had the honor of singing on many iconic stages in my country, such as Auditorio Nacional, Palacio de los Deportes, as well as on national radio stations. I have also toured the Republic with the show, The Cacles, in addition to having sold more than 9,000 copies of our album in Mexico, southern U.S. and northern Central America. Another highlight was having participated in tours and discographies with artists such as La Maldita Vecindad, El Gran Silencio, Edgar Oceransky and Raúl Ornelas, among others.

FF: Great accomplishments, Alain, and I can’t wait to see where your career continues to take you. Didn’t you move here recently from Querétaro? What brought you here?

AA: Ever since I visited San Miguel de Allende over 15 years ago, I have wanted to live here. I was born in Durango, Mexico, but moved to Querétaro as a small child and lived there until two years ago, when I came here.

FF: You are truly living your dream. What do you want your audience to feel at your shows?

AA: Love, in its multiple forms!

FF: Sweet! When love is our intention, we never go wrong. Do you have any closing thoughts?

AA: Yes, thank you, Felecia for this space and for supporting fellow artists. Thank you to my family and my wife Laura for being so supportive and to the people who follow and support my work; I value and enjoy every moment I’m on stage and you are all responsible for that.

FF: And that joy is contagious...Thank you for sharing your joy, your story, and your voice with us.

Go hear Alain live!

February 7^th Sunset Theater5:30 p.m. (private)

February 8^th Pink Cadillacat La Chopería 10:00 p.m.

February 19^th Johnny’s Piano Bar7:00  p.m.

Follow Alain Arroyo on Facebook for more updates on his live performances.

Feleciafordmusic.com