We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hector Longoria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hector below.
Alright, Hector thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
After recording NDGO’s song, “Losing Game” we focused on a music video idea and artwork for the single. I asked Kevin McDermott for assistance on both aspects. He ended up using a stock image of two men boxing which is what you see on the released single. Kevin also suggested finding a gym to set up a boxing match for the music video. After some research one gym in particular stood out and caught our attention. Their mission and vision was one that we could easily get behind and support. “Giving kids a fighting chance one round at a time.” Their mission is to provide a safe, bully-free space to keep future generations off the streets and on a path to success.
“Duke It Out Boxing Club,” is a non profit organization based out of Corpus Christi, TX. They began in a garage and have grown into a gym who trains competitive amateur boxers, three of which are nationally ranked. They also host many boxing events each year including the 2022 Junior Olympics.
I decided to contact Coach Joe De La Paz in hopes that he would agree to meet. Our first meeting went very well, I wanted to be as transparent as possible and relay the good intentions that I had in mind. My main goal was to bring awareness to the great lessons these coaches are voluntarily teaching the youth in our community. During the music video shoot we were able to witness the discipline and hard work ethic that is needed to be successful in a sport such as this.
We also collaborated with Duke It Out and created a t-shirt which has both our logos on it. A portion of the merchandise’s proceeds went to the gym, which allowed us to contribute to their financial goal of opening up a bigger gym for their athletes. This has to be one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been a part of and I will always appreciate their willingness to allow me into their world of boxing.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Hector, a devoted husband, a proud father, and a passionate singer-songwriter. Apart from my musical pursuits, I love to rock climb, and one of my ultimate life aspirations is to establish my very own gym. While I am fairly new to the practice of meditation and grounding, they hold a significant place in my life, serving as an inspiration for my creative endeavors. Growing up in a Mexican household, I was immersed in the sounds of Tejano and Norteno music. However, it was during my teenage years that my closest friend, Derek, introduced me to a whole new world of music that instantly captivated me. He introduced me to incredible bands such as The Used, System of a Down, From Autumn to Ashes, Thursday, and Billy Talent, expanding my musical horizons.
Sounds and melodies have always fascinated me, but I hadn’t truly understood their essence. While in middle school, I remember absentmindedly humming a melody that had been stuck in my head. To my surprise, a young lady asked about it, finding it catchy and appealing. Caught off guard, I felt embarrassment and quickly claimed it was a popular song I had heard on the radio. However, it wasn’t until my high school years that the idea of creating music myself began to take shape. I gradually discovered the joy of singing, primarily through cover songs, and my friends and I would play around with music, letting loose and embracing the fun of it all.
Life threw me a curveball when I became a young parent. I instinctively knew I had to change gears and provide for my family. Right after graduating from high school, I made the life-altering decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, embarking on a journey that would take me through two demanding tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout my time in the Corps, I met fellow Marines who shared a similar passion for music. In our pastime we would write melodies and tunes for the hell of it. It was an escape from the rigors of military life, and showed me the unifying power of music.
When I rejoined civilian life, I enrolled in college and began the music production program. A semester or two into the program, an advisor steered me away from music citing, “a father of two should not be chasing a music dream.” I took his word of advice and shifted gears. After 4 years of schooling, training, and working in the field I became a licensed aircraft mechanic. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize the lack of fulfillment this provided and I regretted the time invested on this trade.
After all that I still found myself naturally gravitating towards ambitious individuals who shared my love for music. Someone eventually asked: “Have you ever considered starting a band?” Without intentionally seeking it out, music organically became a central theme in my life, subtly guiding me towards the creation of what would later be known as NDGO (pronounced indigo), the band that now defines my musical journey.
As NDGO, we created songs that spoke about certain life experiences. However, there were moments when I felt somewhat restrained as a writer, as our collaborative process involved multiple minds coming together. Seeking a more personal outlet, I recently started recording voice memos on my phone, capturing the melodies that persistently whirl around in my head. These melodies can be as eclectic as the rhythms of Tejano or the heartfelt tunes of country music, but I have the ability to shape them into a style that truly resonates with me. This marks a significant shift from the musical style we have previously released. I firmly believe the sound I have tirelessly pursued over the years has finally manifested itself. I incorporate every sound in my head including films, video games, and nature itself! The music we have yet to release will be considered Phase 3 for NDGO, and I’m EXTREMELY excited to share it with anyone interested in listening and those ready to embark on this journey with us.
Our music aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia, taking the listeners to a time when we had no worries. As children, our world revolved around cartoons, TV shows, and movies. Through our art, we hope to reveal the common threads that unite us, reminding everyone that many of us share similar thoughts and sentiments. One of my ultimate goals is to create music that connects us to higher consciousness, shining light on new pathways of understanding. As I explore the depths of my mind and heart during my creative process, I hope that I can also assist others on their own personal journeys as well.
On the other hand, each of us also possess a unique essence that slightly sets us apart from the rest. In my case, there hasn’t been another Hector who’s gone down a path quite like mine, with distinctive experiences and perspectives. You could say I am like the Benjamin Button of music, starting my journey in the music industry at a later stage. I’ve worked in various environments, grinding relentlessly until I found my true calling.
Music echos in my mind constantly, consisting of a symphony of sounds, melodies, and wild ideas. It is through this creative process that I explore the depths of my being, particularly in our unreleased song, “Supreme Leader.” Mistakes I’ve made are within the music, teaching me how to rectify, how to dive deep into my inner self. I hope that everyone realizes that when time and effort are spent on your passion, something remarkable can emerge—something that people can admire, regardless how big or small. Artistic creation holds the potential to establish a connection with others. A message I share with my family whom I take immense pride in. The time we invest in pursuing our dreams, takes perseverance, hard work, enthusiasm, and hunger for adventure. Always remember it’s about the journey, not the destination.
As an artist, both individually and as part of NDGO, I now understand that true peace within oneself is the gateway to discovering the love for your life. It has taken me years of soul-searching to uncover my authentic self, and this process has materialized in NDGO’s newly written music.
To everyone reading this: I hope you all find peace and love within yourselves, while experiencing this wild, unpredictable ride called life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My ultimate goal is to provide for my family in a manner that makes me physically, spiritually, and mentally happy and complete. In addition, I strive to release the creativity in my mind by channeling it through various outlets like writing books and composing music. Through these ventures, I will seek to be more compassionate, understanding, and loving, while also contributing to the collective journey of humanity. Let’s all live our best possible timeline.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I needed to change myself in order to give the audience my best. I came to the realization that I wasn’t in the best mindset to effectively share my life experiences through music. First, I had to confront and overcome obstacles that prevented me from experiencing true happiness and unconditional love. There was a point where the topics I pursued to write about were toxic and lacked the frequency of growth. I made a conscious decision to make a complete change that gives the world what they deserve: loving energy and an experience to assist anyone in crawling out of darkness. The change within myself in turn allowed me to show my family the love they truly deserve.
It’s a full circle: happiness within, happiness without. 
Contact Info:
- Website: ndgoband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ndgoofficialus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NDGOofficialUS/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ndgoofficialus?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NDGOBand
Image Credits
Jorge Carrillo Sterling Stetar Devin Carrillo Kevin McDermott