Spotlight On Pilaseca: A Brotherhood Of Groove

By Felecia Ford

For over a quarter of a century, the streets of San Miguel have been filled with the sounds of Pilaseca. Now, with new singles and videos being released this year, it’s safe to say they are still going strong. I had a chance to ask lead singer Paco Rivera about their beginnings and where they are headed.

FF: How did Pilaseca become a band and where did the band originate? 

PR: Originally from México City, I came to San Miguel in 1998. I noticed the music scene in town and it was an amazing experience for us to see so much talent here. I brought Pawis, our bass player here from México City to start playing my originals at Mama Mia.  We met Omar (guitar) and Ariel (drums) from Querétaro and then we met Dj Peluza (now Dee Dub) and that’s when we started playing as Pilaseca.  Later we met Uriel (keys) and Armando (trumpet) and they have been with the band probably more than half of the time– we’ve been playing a long time together in San Miguel. 

FF: What was the music scene like in San Miguel when you started and how has it changed? 

PR: The music scene was one of the most amazing things about San Miguel and one of the reasons we moved here and started to play. Like today there were great bands here, great musicians with a very soulful bohemian feeling. The one difference is that back then every one of them were playing original music. 

FF: I remember that scene. My rock band from Austin, Texas played original music five nights a week for six weeks straight at Mama Mia in 1999. People here loved dancing to songs they didn’t know yet.

PR: We were also very lucky to play at Mama Mia at that time. They gave us the freedom to play our music with 3 hour nights and 2 of those hours we played originals. 

FF: I love that we both were playing our originals here at the same time over 25 years ago at the very same place, that’s so cool. Will you share with us how you create your songs? 

PR: After an idea, I go into my home studio and record the demo. I show the band the demo and we start with the arrangements. We fusión a lot of genres of music, but always with a funk groove. Everyone adds their own influence so that’s the sound that comes through with Pilaseca. 

FF: I just heard your newest single “Ya No Quiero Verte” on Spotify—what a great song! Where did you record that track?

PR: Ya No Quiero Verte was produced by the band and recorded at close friend, J Mansurat’s studio here in San Miguel. We mixed the song with Adrian Treviñoo “El Rojo” out of Monterrey. 

FF: Now that “Ya No Quiero Verte” is out, what’s next? 

PR: The next single that we will release is called 2025, and we’ll release it this month—it’s a fun dance track. The full EP 2025 will be on all platforms very soon. We’re all very happy with the new album we produced. 

FF: I love your plan to also release videos with your singles, nice. Pilaseca is also known for your well attended live performances. Any that stand out in your memories?

PR: Yes! The day we played at the Tajín Festival for over 30,000 people. The vibe and energy was incredible. Another concert that we will have in our minds and souls forever was last year at our 25^th anniversary concert, at Foro el Obraje—there was such magical energy. Leticia Loza Márquez from Dear México provided impeccable production and brought us all together with the community to celebrate. 

FF: Do you have upcoming gigs this year?

PR: Yes, we will have a show July 25th in SMA that will be announced soon. The concerts we do here in SMA are to bring all the new friends and old friends together as a family. We are so grateful to have been playing for all these years and so thankful for the people around us that support the band. 

FF: After all these years, what continues to inspire you to keep creating music together?

PR: I think it is the soul connection we have.  We really like each other still and we love to play together and we don’t need to force anything, it’s just about the flow. We are very connected and respect and love each other. I am sure that we are more than a band, we are family. 

Thank you for all the years of music, Pilaseca, you rock. 

Connect with Pilaseca: 

IG @pilasecaband

Facebook Pilaseca Perfil Lleno

YouTube Pilaseca @pilasecamusic

Feleciafordmusic.com