Today we’d like to introduce you to Joaquina Mertz.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised in Mexico City, where my parents exposed me to as much music and art as they could. Saying that, I started taking music lessons since I was very young, my approach to music started by going to opera lessons at the age of seven, and continuing my classical studies up until I turned 17 and attended Interlochen Center of the Arts in Michigan. There I was convinced that my true love was contemporary music, it had always been a part of what I wanted to say; although my admiration for classical music has always been there, I wanted to make something for myself, I wanted to tell my own story. After going to college in Mexico for two years, I applied to Berklee College of Music and the winter of 2014, I was getting ready to move into my dorm and start a journey I truly never expected.
My music knowledge and introduction to so many cultures was exponentially important in how I grew up during Berklee years, I dealt with heartbreak like I’ve never done before, loneliness, and the growing pains – of just growing up. I had to deal with missing home, and realizing that I will never truly belong to my country, and I will never belong here either. I came out with my first EP “Honey”, where I talk about heartbreak. In January 2018 I moved to LA, where I started writing, recording and producing new songs. Since moving to California, I realized that I want to sing for girls like me m- ones that aren’t ashamed to be themselves, I want to connect with girls and make them feel seen and represented. This summer I toured for two months across the US with award winning poet Olivia Gatwood, where we did 30+ shows. Now, I’m working on the new songs – especially my new single called “Over You”, that will be coming out next year!
Please tell us about your art.
I write and sings songs about feeling powerful, being a bigger girl in a world for skinny people, about being sexy and not ashamed of who I am. My inspiration comes from a place of being bullied when I was young, t comes from a place of not conforming to “the man”, and to celebrate who you are. I write my songs so that girls that look, and feel like me know that we aren’t alone. I also write about what is going on in the world, and how it affects us all – it’s always important and necessary for artists to write about the times – it feels like it should be our duty. I hope people listen to my music and they feel inspired to be who they are, I hope they feel seen. I hope that when people see my show, they feel passion and love.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Support systems are great! Friends that just truly care for you are what has kept me afloat in this industry.
Something that has also helped me not feeling as lonely, s talking to my friends about my struggles and my heart break. Being honest with my friends and truly sharing my feelings, has instantly opened up doors to not feeling lonesome, it turns out most people feel the way you do – we just don’t share our feelings because of shame, and shame is the worst feeling to own. Opening up during performances, and truly reaching your audience by talking about a specific song, why you wrote it, what was going on in your life, how a certain thing affected you – that is what has changed the way how an audience receives my songs, they feel closer to me, and I am closer to them.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My music is on every digital platform, I am constantly performing around the LA area as well as in Mexico.
I am coming out with new music this upcoming year, and I’m always posting about performances as well as my music on my social media @joaquinamertz
Contact Info:
- Address: 224 W Dryden St
Apt 312 Glendale CA 91202 - Phone: 6176691902
- Email: jmertzb@gmail.com
- Instagram: @joaquinamertz
- Facebook: @joaquinamertzz
- Twitter: @joaQUEENmertz
Image Credit:
Isabel Fuentes
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
