It’s been two years since Borderland singer-songwriter Javier Martinez released new Tale of Giants music.
That drought ends Friday when his new song, “Somewhere,” drops across musical platforms, including a new video on YouTube, starring El Paso artist Gabriel Marquez.
Martinez’s work always is rich with emotion, and that inspired “Somewhere.”
“I wanted to tell a story that shows all the emotions that we feel when we create something special to us,” he said. “All the passion, frustration and relief we get when we finally get to share it.”
Part of that drive comes from feeling like an outsider in the world.
“I’ve never felt like I’ve fit in. I wondered if people felt as strongly and passionately as I do,” Martinez said. “I wanted validation that I’m not insane. As a person who suffers deeply with depression, I just needed to know I’m not alone.
“Through song I’ve found comfort in others who feel the same. Growing up, I would hear songs that made me feel strong emotions. I wanted people to feel what I felt listening to a song. Knowing I’m not alone and we’re all struggling together helps me wake up every morning.”
That honesty has helped Martinez connect with the audience.
“I’ve had people come to me in tears after a performance,” he said. “They feel seen and supported instead of alone.”
Reaching out to Marquez to star in the video was a natural connection made from one artist to another.
“I met Gabriel a few years ago in Socorro, Texas. He had a studio that he invited me to perform at,” Martinez said. “I’ve had the pleasure to watch him work. The frustration and messiness it takes to create a masterpiece reminded me of myself. I always wanted to collaborate with him on a video for one of my songs. I felt like ‘Somewhere’ was fitting. Before I could finish asking him to star in it, he said yes.”
Working on the video was fun, Marquez said.
“I had always told him I would do it whenever he’d like to,” Marquez said. “We’ve always been fans of each other’s work: him with his music and myself with my art.”
Marquez gives a strong performance in the video, showing the depth of emotions that often accompanies the creation process.
“I believe all real artists carry emotional baggage; that’s what fuels us,” Marquez said. “It wasn’t really a performance; I have destroyed things out of frustration before. I just did it on command this time thanks to Hector (Gallardo, of Subharmonic City) and Javier, who are the real geniuses behind the music video.”
For Marquez, his role in the video was cathartic.
“It was definitely a relief to let loose …,” Marquez said. “It was even funnier to do it front of people.”
Art lovers don’t need to feel sad that artwork was destroyed during the production.
“Truth be told, Javier created most of the art I destroyed,” Marquez said. “Javier bought a bunch of used canvases from the thrift shop and took the time to make some art I could tear apart.
“It wasn’t very good, so I had to show him what I thought of it,” Marquez joked.
Martinez also supplied the drawing material for the video.
“Javier likes to gather around campfires a lot; I think he draws inspiration from it,” Marquez said. “He brought burnt embers from a fire to me, and we used it as part of the drawing process. He brought it so I could draw with it, instead of me using my own materials. It was a very poetic thing for him to do. I think it made the visuals way more appealing. The smell was nice, too.”
Marquez enjoyed his time in front of the camera.
“I loved working on the video,” he said. “I think if there’s a need for someone to destroy things on video, they can count on me.”
He’s open to more acting roles.
“I’d love to (act more),” he said. “I think it’s fun, especially working with friends, it becomes a shared vision. Moving pictures frozen in time.”
Marquez is known in the Borderland for helping artists gain exposure, beginning with his role years back helping run the now defunct Casa Ortiz art gallery in Socorro and continuing with his own Mystic Desert Studio, 3900 Rosa Ave., Suite B.
“I want to help as many artists as I can,” he said. “I want them to be seen and heard. Being an artist myself, having a platform for creatives only helps us grow in numbers. We do this to inspire the next generation of creators, so the fire burns forever.”
He urges people to “support your local artists, musicians, and cinematographers. We need you.”
Martinez and Gallardo also have worked together in the past.
“Subharmonic City is run by Hector Gallardo, who has won multiple awards for his short films. They are a heavy hitter in the music scene who have produced music videos for local and national bands,” Martinez said.
“I’ve been a fan of Hector since I was a teenager. He played in bands that really inspired me. I reconnected with him many years later after seeing his work as a filmmaker. I asked him to produce a music video for my song, ‘The Captain.’ Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of acting in his short films.
“In 2024, we made a documentary for Tale of Giants that will be released very soon.”
Gallardo said Martinez’s songwriting and vision are unique.
“His songwriting is probably the most (unique) out of everyone,” he said. “It really stands out. That’s why I respect him and like working with him.”
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso’s Tale of Giants drops new video for song ‘Somewhere’ on Friday
Reporting by Samuel Gaytan, Special to the Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
