The Witch of Texcoco: Traditional Mexican Music To Empower Transwomen
Octavio Mendoza age 33, the one behind La Bruja de Texcoco is an artist, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and ambassador of the Mexican tradition. As a performer of Mexican folklore - including costumes, flowers, and songs describes herself as the third person as she gives a throwback on her musical journey in the traditional Mexican music.
She has a music studio album under the title De Brujas, Peteneras y Chachalacas. La bruja also is considered to be a jewel in the Latin America music. She is an inspiration to millions and she inspires people in her traditional musical talent.
La bruja plays the violin with a group of her friends at concheros which is known to be traditional musicians who play guitars made from armadillo shells. La bruja also makes music and teaches music to people.
La Bruja sets up her debut album, De Brujas Peteneras y Chachalacas as she speaks of how she is in the process of understanding how the power of raising trans femininity and music can change and save lives and how it was considered to be a miracle. She explores the magic in the Mexican folklore and trans identities.
Her album had three key influences which is the Mexican folk culture, faith and the classical knowledge. The record is also known to have landscapes, atmosphere and personality of her own native country.
Her home in Colonia Narvarte is also a mix of colourful items which embodied the meaning and wonders of life. Her home has stickers of Sailor Moon, Steven Universe, and a trans Hello Kitty which was drawn by the artist Jovan Israel.
How Music Is in Her Soul
La Bruja's family was inclined to music. She said that her father was a musician and since when she was a child she already loved music and was so much entertained by it. She was used to stage parties and that music is accompanied by a special moment with people.
It was also her mother who supported her in the music journey when she was enrolled to her musical studies at a very young age together with her formal education. But when she grew and went to a university self-imposed restrictions were found to be greater.
She added that in Mexico, music is an art that they cannot give to themselves, she realized that she had a big passion for music and she went on to study a degree in music.
Rejections also did not stop La Bruja as when she was in her 20's she was rejected again and again but her powerful spirit and loving for her music never made her give up instead she pursued more and she learned and studied more.
She also entered Mexican music school where the harp master Mario Barradas helped and encouraged her as she found the new traditional music and a new vocation.
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How La Bruja explored femininity and her stand towards it
La Bruja realized that her childhood dreams were to become a mermaid, mythical figures captured her eyes and it made her dreamed to be one of them. She said that if she would go back to the time she would encourage the child to be a mermaid and to do whatever he wants and to be free in life.
Her construction now in femininity is still on the process as she still searches for the definition of what is interwoven in the Mexican tradition, the clothing and the music journey. She also has a political agenda and she is on the activists' side.
She believes that she is realistic that lack of knowledge, education and the weight of the belief in the religion in religious states like Mexico can really have a violence frequently focused against femininity.
She knows that truly those days might come and some people will be one of them but she said she won't intend waiting as it will sit down.
La bruja encourages everyone to discover themselves and find their true passion and to serve their mission in life. She uses her passion in traditional music to inspire people not to give up on what they want. Instead, fight for their dreams.
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