Today we’d like to introduce you to Esteban Olivas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Music has been a part of all our lives since we were young. Everyone in the band has been playing their instruments for 15+ years, and we all come from different musical backgrounds! Steven (bassist) got his start when his father needed a bass player for Sunday church, Andrew started playing drums in a jazz band at school and Jacob is a self-taught guitarist! We have been doing this for a while, it somehow has all felt like it has been leading up to our band The Mutts! Our bassist (Steven) and our guitarist (Jacob) were introduced by Stevens’ wife Katie in 2020. We became quick friends and bonded over a desire to make music. For a couple of years all we did was jam together and fumble through trying to play along to some of our favorite songs. Andrew (drummer) had just got hired at a company here in Austin in 2024 and he and wife Jenna made the move. Andrews first day, he was prompted at a company meeting to share a fun fact about himself. His was that he won a drumming competition when he was in high school. At that meeting was Stevens’ wife Katie. She relayed the info to Steven since she knew he had been looking for a drummer. Andrew reached out and, a week later, The Mutts came to be! Since then, we have been playing shows in a couple of different cities in Texas and are excited about what we’re building.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
So far, our overall experience has been nothing but positive. The music community in Austin is so friendly and people really support each other and that is what makes it so much fun! An example, we were planning an outdoor show in San Marcos that was canceled due to weather 5 hours before the show. One of the bands that was on the bill reached out to a group of guys that go by Vancerts. They helped find a new indoor venue and ran sound for a guerrilla-style show in the back of the Blue Owl Brewery. We were able to have an amazing show. So the community has made even the hard parts like last minute show cancelations turn out fun.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of the music community that we are building. We love being part of a thriving community that is on the creative front. I think what we specialize in is also what sets us apart. I think we sound vintage and new at the same time. We are inspired by a variety of different players, from jazz musicians to Hendrix to Sabbath to Masayoshi Takanaka. I think you can really hear all of our influences blended together.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk is something that everyone has to take at some point, whether it be starting a business, making art etc. I think that what taking a risk on is one of the only things we have control over. I think there are many small risks that add up when starting a band. There is a financial risk, there is always a risk of embarrassment, but it’s totally worth it! Anything worth doing requires risk at some point!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/_mutts_
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YCzaoUvM61grRvPMulw8I?si=3nJejRrAROua7t19b7RHWA&utm_source=copy-link
