What started as a passion and love for collecting music equipment and gear, evolved into a collective of music lovers exploring different ways to create sounds.
Rogelio Rosiles, David Delgado, and brothers Jose and Santiago Castro co-founded El Paso’s new way to make music, the Synthesizer Club, in October 2023. With their passion for the synth genre, the club has become a hub for community bonding, networking, and creative expression within electronic music.
Located at 3803 Frutas Ave. at Nova Art Space at the Fall Staff, the Synthesizer Club’s purpose is to create a space for individuals to learn and enjoy the artistry and talent of the El Paso music community.
The club is inspired by “Legowelt’s Shadow Wolf Cyberzine Issue #3”. The Shadow Wolf Cyberzine is a digital publication created by Danny Wolfers, a prominent electronic music artist and synthesizer enthusiast. This online publication offers music production tips, art, underground music scenes, and related topics.
Drawing influence from the online publication, the club had humble beginnings in the Castro home. With their collection of drums, guitars, and pedals, the brothers decided to give El Paso a taste of the synth genre.
“Our house looked like a mini pawn shop, we thought it would be cool to share it with our community and others who are interested in electronic music and production but might not know where to start their journey,” said Jose Castro. “(Then), it just clicked, I made a logo one day when we were jamming on my brother’s Korg MS20 (a synthesizer).”
Inspired by curiosity about the creative process and execution, and conversations with fellow producers and DJs, Jose Castro sparked interest in creating an open space for creative minds alike.
“(The public) will see our setups, or at a live event and we just started a lot of conversations about jamming or just hanging out and networking,” said Jose Castro.
The event delights attendees with an impressive setup and gear display, serving as a platform for local talent and new music. Its inviting atmosphere encourages participants to join in on the music-making or relax and enjoy the performances.
On July 16, the Synthesizer Club held their monthly synth and gear jam/meet-up event. The gathering brought together synth and music enthusiasts featuring performances by Jose Castro and other volunteers.
Attendees enjoyed a showcase of techno and experimental music and soundscapes, bringing together individuals of different musical backgrounds in a blend of creativity and fun.
The event served as a celebration of innovation and collaboration, allowing attendees to experience a fusion of sounds leaving a lasting impression and appreciation for electronic music.
“The event was a lot of networking and meeting new people from different bands, and they brought in a lot of new gear we hadn’t played before,” said Jose Castro.
The club operates as a collective effort. Rosiles, the owner of “Aqui no Pasa Nada Press”, creates animations and flyers. Santiago Castro, the owner of Coffee Party, brews coffee for the crew before the event to give them a boost. Delgado, the owner of Super Ultra Nova, provides the space for the events and promotes the Synthesizer Club.
Combining resources and skills, each member offers distinct contributions to achieve a common goal. As the Synthesizer Club expands, it seeks to motivate others, cultivating a feeling of togetherness, mutual fondness and enthusiasm for electronic music.
“We’re just music lovers exploring new ways of creating sounds and forming genuine connections through it,” Jose Castro said.
Frida Acuna is the arts & culture editor and may be reached at [email protected].
