Monday Mixtape: Jess Cuevas
"When I want to get in the zone creatively I tend to listen to Massive Attack, Portishead, Mexican Bolero music, or deep 90’s house music."
Monday Mixtape is another path towards music discovery, featuring people whose taste I admire answering a series of questions and prompts with songs (which might change from time to time).
Jess Cuevas is a wildly talented mixed media artist, creative director, and art director. He is the art director for Willy Chavarria (one of my absolute favorite contemporary designers) and has worked with Freshjive, Nike, Converse, and a little artist called Madonna, amongst others.
We first connected through Madonna fandom (in turns out when you make a 22 hour long podcast series about an incredibly beloved pop icon, you make a lot of amazing new friends) and Jess quickly revealed his excellent taste, not just for visuals but also in the breadth and depth of his musical taste. And you know what that means.
Here is Jess’ Monday Mixtape:
Jess Cuevas
I am a deep Pisces. Moon in Scorpio. Rising in Virgo
City of AngelsHow do you find/discover music?
I am constantly looking back to discover something new. I also have some amazing friends with impeccable taste that keep new music flowing to me.
What was the first song you put on when you woke up this morning?
When I woke up this morning I listened to Bjork’s “Venus as a Boy” and Flea, the track called “Frailed”.
What song have you listened to more than once this past week?
“One Step Away” by Madonna on Confessions 2 on major repeat. I mean the whole album honestly.
What is a recent song you think everyone should know about?
I really love Flea’s new jazz album and the track “Traffic Lights.” (ft Thom Yorke). It’s such a nice mellow vibe and so beautiful.
A song off your work-out playlist:
A song that makes me feel crazy psycho good and go hard at the gym is “Bring the Noise” by Public Enemy (ed note: this is also on my work-out playlist except it’s the Anthrax version). “Can’t Truss It” by Public Enemy and Eli Escobar’s “Something Inside Of Me.”
Is there particular music that you put on when you are looking to summon creativity?
When I want to get in the zone creatively I tend to listen to Massive Attack, Portishead, Mexican Bolero music, or deep 90’s house music. I guess it depends on what I am creating. My taste is all over the place.
Any song in particular that opens up your mind in that way?
Primal Scream “Higher than the Sun”. The lyrics to that track really move my mind.
What song can you do at karaoke without looking at the tv screens?
I don’t do karaoke. It feels intimidating.
Song you associate with being 13 years old:
There are a lot, too hard to pick just one: Cypress Hill “Latin Lingo”, Deee-Lite, “Power of Love” (ed note: the fucking best), Stereo Mc’s “Connected”, Madonna “Justify My Love”, Nirvana “Come As you Are”, Neneh Cherry “Buffalo Stance”.
What song do you listen to when you want a lobotomy?
Mr. Fingers “Cerebral Hemisphere”.
What song do you use to indulge your wallowing?
Tricky “Hell Is Round The Corner”.
What song do you use to renew your spirit?
“I Want To Thank You” by Alicia Myers. If that doesn’t do the trick I don’t know what will.
What is your favorite cover song?
Kali Uchis “que te pedi//”. Her voice is like an angel’s.
What song would you like to hear just before you die?
Los Panchos, “Bésame Mucho.” The song is about someone asking their loved one to cherish the present moment with an intense kiss because they fear they may never be together again.