Meet Mavero Duran | Co-manager and musical director of The OutLaw Mariachi: L’A.s Premiere Rock Mariachi Band

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mavero Duran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mavero, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The OutLaw Mariachi was created as from what we see as a part of our musical and professional evolution. This evolution we feel started in 2010 when we were developing our last project of a mariachi-inspired rock band. However, after many years of successful effort and a gain in popularity, we came to realize that our work was not going to benefit us in the long run, but instead only benefit the person that was claiming ownership and had no desire to share with the very people that had helped develop the group. Tale as old as time in the music biz. Plus, we were also feeling pin-holed into only covering a certain style of music, and we desired to branch out. In other words, when we realized there was no “ours”, we chose to start our own group that would continue this musical evolution and that would also allow us to benefit as deserved plus display the fairness to our musicians that was not offered to us. All in all, it was all started for the same reason, we love to entertain!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The OutLaw Mariachi blends the sounds of traditional mariachi music with many different styles from the rock genre. This includes, classic rock, metal, rock en español, etc.. Together with the comedic elements of the group make it a new kind of variety show. What makes the group different is that people do not really know what to expect if they have never been to a show. When they see the work Mariachi, they automatically assume to see big sombreros, big mustaches, and a lot of ay ay ay ay…. but, within the first 15 minutes of the show, that are smacked in the face with a huge sound that is unique and taken over with the urge to dance. They will hear musicians that can double as comics telling terrible jokes that range from Dad jokes to those in adult nature.

Like many others, we got to where we are the hard way. Hard lessons were learned from our previous band, many positive and some negative. We took those lessons and used them to built a positive environment with transparency and respect amongst our members. It was not east at first as we were leaving behind 10 years of success and our previous group was still earning good money, but we realized that money definitely is not everything. We found happiness and balance with our new OutLaw Mariachi family.

Lessons learned include making sure you have a touring vehicle with windows that can roll down, especially after you stop for tacos. Wearing tights may not be a good idea when it’s cold. A coat hanger is not an effective method of birth control. Tequila may be a genius song-writing tool as after a certain amount of shots singers will automatically re-invent lyrics to classic songs. Be-careful when you bring the elderly on stage for a serenade…. they may bite your penis.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Haha!… Well, I always adjust my plans to what I feel my friends enjoy doing, except get intoxicated. I do not drink, smoke, or do anything fun…as many tell me, haha. I love them parks, nature, sports, and extreme-couponing. It’s awesome when I can combine those things! Like find a way to take them to Six-Flags but get them in for free (I know where the holes in the fence is), and also pig out on food that maybe we didn’t pay for. It’s not that I am cheap…well, maybe a little, … but I do love the challenge of spending less as possible then splurge when it counts!

I do not go to bars or clubs usually, unless there may be a band that I want to see. Going to a Weird Al concert is super awesome! I do have a sweet tooth, so my drug of choice is usually peanut M&Ms.

I also love comedy clubs as I have checked out Robin Williams, Tony Clifton, Andrew Dice Clay, Felipe Esparza, Louis CK, among others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our story has so many figures that have had a huge impact on how and why we exist and have had success. First and foremost, the musicians in the band. It is not easy to form a musical group because it takes a great amount of dedication and discipline, which at first, does not gain any monetary reward. This includes Belle Martele, Rocky Rhodes, Nandoom Vee, Nico Stixx, Wild Bill Woodcock, JJ Salaz, and Patty Six Shot. There is sacrifice, money spent, hours needed to put music together, travel, and much more. All this to follow what is a goal of dreams and hope that all your efforts will result in something great. This was especially difficult as the group had it’s beginnings during that pandemic, but still dedicated themselves to our goal even though shows and tours were not on the horizon and there was no time frame when they would start again. Others who were equally important had have been our families, who have to show extreme patience when putting up with musicians. Also, our followers. We have been extremely fortunate to have had some follows support our transition between our old group and the new and help get the word out. To name a few, it includes wonderful people like Liz Belloso, Sherri and Victor, Tanya Cook, Trisha Gonzalez, and man many more…

Website: www.theoutlawmariachi.com

Instagram: @theoutlawmariachi

Twitter: @theoutlawmariachi

Facebook: @theoutlawmariachi

Youtube: youtube.com/charrosofrock

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Liz Belloso