Growing up in the punk scene of the Rio Grande Valley, Charlie Vela found his passion for working with audio. However, it wasn’t until the lead-up to the pandemic that he delved into a new hobby. Vela began collecting keyboards and synthesizers, inspired by his love for regional conjunto albums from labels like Falcón and Bego.
After accumulating a collection of 45s from defunct labels, Vela had an idea – to use these records as the source material for a sample-based project. Drawing influence from hip-hop sampling, he envisioned creating music centered around the accordion, bajo sexto, and Spanish lyrics. This idea gave birth to his Fronterawave project, characterized by dreamy, nostalgic sounds with a mix of 90s hip-hop and lo-fi music elements.
Vela’s goal with Fronterawave is to capture the essence of the Rio Grande Valley, including the undulating heat and fuzzy TV memories from his childhood. He infuses his tracks with references to cultural touchstones like “The Johnny Canales Show,” adding a nostalgic flair to his music.
With about 50 songs released on streaming platforms like Spotify, Vela’s latest album “Sabor Eterno” is a collaborative effort with Jonathan Leal. This ambient electronic score was created for a unique dining experience titled “Sabor Sin Fronteras,” curated by Joseph Gomez of Con Todo in Austin. The album incorporates sound textures sampled from natural elements and interviews with those involved in food production.
Through his music, Vela not only pays homage to his roots in the Rio Grande Valley but also explores the intersection of culture, memory, and sound. His Fronterawave project stands as a testament to the rich musical tapestry of Texas, blending traditional Tejano sounds with modern influences for a truly unique listening experience.