Local rockers Whitewater have energized the Coachella Valley music scene, bringing a ’90s-rock edge and style to our eclectic desert. Electrifying guitar solos and grunge-heavy vocal runs combine with riff-tastic backing instrumentation and pounding drums to bring rock anthems to 2024. You can listen to a collection of the band’s demos on Soundcloud as they work on their live sound and prepare for studio recordings. I recommend the haunting and earthquaking jam “My Door” or the rippin’ rock frenzy of “Bill Collector.” Emanuel Torres is the bassist for Whitewater.
What was the first concert you attended?
Ramon Ayala at Acrisure Arena. I grew up watching bandas and grupos play in my backyard, which was where my love of music started.
What was the first album you owned?
Eye in the Sky by The Alan Parsons Project. It was given to me by an older cousin who was going through a prog-rock/pop phase. I would listen to it all the time, and it definitely started me on the journey of exploring other prog bands like King Crimson.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Caifanes, Ribbon Fix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fuerza Regida, Los Enanitos Verdes and King Crimson are in rotation right now.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I can almost always find something I like in a genre or an artist, but a musical trend I don’t understand is an artist speeding up a song they already released and re-releasing it. I think it’s weird.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Definitely Jeff Buckley; it would be an ethereal experience to hear his voice live. I mean, imagine listening to “Dream Brother” live!
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Genuinely so many bangers on there.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Fox Theater in Pomona. I got to see Panchiko play, and they had Wisp open for them. It was really cool. I would love to play with my band Whitewater there someday!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true. When will you realize Vienna waits for you?” Billy Joel, “Vienna.” This line lingers in my head a lot. I struggle with finding my pace, and I feel like I’m about to burn out, or I’m not doing enough. This line helps remind me to just relax sometimes and temper my expectations; the path for me will be followed in due time.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Red Hot Chili Peppers. The music they have created with (guitarist John) Frusciante is something that has truly changed the trajectory of my life. I blame Flea for giving me the music bug. His bass-playing made me want to start playing when I was 11. If “Can’t Stop” never played on the radio, I probably wouldn’t have begged my parents for a bass.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Joe Dart: How do you not have severe whiplash?
What song would you like played at your funeral?
In my family, there are a few songs I can expect to hear at a funeral, and the song that I know for a fact will be at mine is “Amor Eterno,” sung by Vicente Fernández. This song captures perfectly the grief one feels from death, and the way Chente sings with such passion and feeling allows the listener to share their pain and ease it, if only for a little.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Off the top of my head, it probably has to be OK Computer by Radiohead. That album made me think differently about the way music is made. There are so many different layers that create these really cool sounds. “Paranoid Android” is definitely one of my favorites songs of all time.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Sky Blue Sky” by Wilco. It’s a beautiful song that has such a haunting quality that stays with you.
