“You find the balance, cater to the audience… and being fully on fire.”
David Macias interview
David Macias (30) is lead singer/guitarist of Marchin,’ a Latin influenced band formed in the high desert of the Inland Empire with an eclectic combination of sounds ranging from Ska, Reggae, Cumbia, Gypsy. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, David arrived to Los Angeles at the age of 10. His father passed away when he was 16, followed by his mother’s death when he turned 20. As a teenager, David grew up in the neighborhoods of East LA. To avoid life’s trials and tribulations, he found solace in music, discovering the Beatles, Hendrix and Hip-Hop, as well as playing his own music at age 15.
Like many high school students, David wondered, “how am I going to pay for college?” The solution — he joined the Hospital Corpsman with 1st Marine Division, “enlisted at 17 and as soon as I turned 18, I joined — I loved the military,” David enthused. He served a total eight years and was stationed twice in Iraq, 2005-2006. From the experience, David gained a sense of camaraderie and discipline. He draws comparisons between music and military: “It was amazing — they are very similar, when you play shows you’re in combat — you’re in a battle to keep in the crowd — you find the balance, cater to the audience, playing a show and being fully on fire.”
In his last year of service David Macias was stationed at 29 Palms, CA. and has made the high desert his home ever since. “I always liked the desert and the quietness, I didn’t like the city — I found a creative energy source here in the high desert.”
After eight years of active duty, David Macias received a G.I. Bill and studied music for two years at College of the Desert. He is schooled in Mariachi, Latin, Reggae, Celtic, and Rock. “I learned music theory in school, I learned the rules of music, constructing things based on knowledge.” In 2012 David started the band Machin’ (ma-cheen: Spanglish Slang meaning “Supremely Excellent) he is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter. In addition to creating music for the band, he books and manages all the shows, living up to his philosophy: “one person has to have a vision and everyone has to come together.” Bri Cherry, is classically trained in the Violin and brings 14 years of experience to the table. Andy Gorrill on Upright Bass is the music veteran in the band. Mitchell Arganda on drums and percussion gives Machin’ the added punch that brings people to their feet. “It’s perfect chemistry,” David said.
Since it’s inception, Machin’ has had a transformative career going from one stage to the next. Machin’ played Joshua Tree Music Fest in 2012-13 and in April 2014 David played first weekend at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, “Goldenvoice heard us play at the Purple Room about a month before — being at the right place at the right time…right now it’s all I want to do — play music, all my energy and focus is on music — we don’t have time to do anything else but play.” In November 2014 David was the music director for the AMFM Festival in Cathedral City, “I helped pick the bands, produce a world-feel of music, it’s about delivering a message: unity through the manipulation of sound.”
What are the main themes or ideas expressed in your songwriting?
Justice, world peace, world music — it’s about love but for the world.
What was it like growing up?
I grew up in East LA, very gang oriented.
How did you get through it?
By finding solace in music and after school programs. Music — to get away from all that.
How did you form the band Machin’?
I met Bri playing at open mics, me and Andy have been playing since 2009, Mitchell Arganda joined a year ago — it’s the perfect chemistry
Career wise, what has been a defining or turning point?
Every show is a defining point/turning point —that’s the beauty of it — every show is different.
How would you describe your military experience?
It brings awareness to other parts of the world, the beauty is, you get to appreciate other cultures.
Do you find a relationship between music and the military?
Music heals, music is a healer — life and death as in combat. In military you can take different people. Same as in music. Militia is a concept — in music we recruit musicians, we eat and breath the shows. We don’t stop breathing —it’s what heals and brings peace to me. They are all related to music. If we can conquer a region as musicians we can move on.
What inspires you?
Whatever emotion triggers a song. You go through phases where you write 2 or 3 songs in a month and there are times when you don’t. Sometimes I write a verse on a napkin and then I revisit it four months later and think, that’s a cool verse. It’s like molding a clay pot — you can always change it.
What’s it like playing live and how often do you perform live?
We just want to search the world, [by creating the] exchange of energy — how many people you can have an impact on. [When] you get to that point, where they don’t want to leave —it’s like magic. When people are dancing it’s your responsibility to give them more. 10-20 shows a month. A big motivation is the interaction of live shows.
I notice Briana Cherry, the violinist always plays barefooted — is there a reason?
She feels grounded and comfortable when she is barefoot. It’s what brings her the magic
What’s it like making a living as a musician?
It’s not easy, it’s definitely difficult. It’s not about the money but it’s about the pride and principle in what we do. [Once] We took a trip from Coachella Valley to Washington, we stayed in peoples yards and in their cars… Feel confident as an artist and you can go anywhere. In the military you spend time with the same group of guys everyday, every minute — same thing as a band — the loyalty and respect. It’s not just work it’s a lifestyle.
What are you currently working on?
Right now we are working on recording our first professional album, recorded in Joshua Tree — Joshua Tree is a magical place, it’s the desert, you’re in the middle of mountains. You can’t really describe it, you just have to go there and see it for yourself — there is mysticism there. We’re at a point that we feel it’s time. We go on tour in July. I encourage every artist to get out and explore. You get more appreciation when you get out of your comfort zone. It’s scary to leave and get out of your comfort zone. Our music is like our religion.
What are your thoughts on the Coachella Valley?
Diverse. You have a lot of talent in the valley. You can find anything and everything. One of the fastest growing communities. There is a lot going on — but I would like to see the bands coming together and making a statement, that we are here.
What is your long term goal?
Long term goal is to play music as long as I can. The more we push our music, the more people will want to listen to our music.
BAND: MACHIN’
MEMBERS: DAVID MACIAS -VOX, GUITAR
BRIANA CHERRY- VIOLIN VOX
ANDY GORRILL- DOUBLE BASS, ACCORDION
MITCHELL ARGANDA -DRUMS, PERCUSSION
HOMETOWN: YUCCA VALLEY, CA
WEB: MACHINMILITIAMUSIC.COM