
Student Spotlight: Mercedes Escobar The singer and guitarist talks about her unique journey to Berklee, the niche genre of Latin Americana, and being inspired by strangers.
By
Editorial Staff
November 14, 2022
Image courtesy of Mercedes Escobar
What's it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience-what they're learning in class, what kinds of projects they're involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they're listening to. This week, get to know Mercedes Escobar, a sixth-semester vocalist and guitarist from Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, whos about to declare a major in professional music with a songwriting track and a minor in recording and production for musicians.
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here? A good friend from the U.S. encouraged me to apply to Berklee. There wasn't much more room for growth for me in Guatemala (people there are supportive, but we just don't have the numbers for a thriving music industry, considering it's a small country, and about 90 percent of people live in poverty. Forget about it if you play a niche of a niche like Latin Americana ). I'd been playing bars most of my life, and I think my friend recognized that I had nowhere else to go. Let's just say he saved my life by encouraging me to come to Boston. I applied and received a partial scholarship, and my friend and other incredibly generous people in his circle sponsored the rest of my stay. At the time I also received housing sponsorship from two friends who are twin folk singers who have been singing in the U.S. since the late 1950s! Somehow, all roads led me here. (I'm not revealing their names, because they would prefer to remain anonymous.)
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you? There are so many wonderful musicians and educators that it's hard to pick only one. I think PM-111 Foundations for the Independent Musician is a great one (taught by Cristi Catt). If anything, it solidified ideas and taught me that diversifying is the way to go as an artist. I also learned that no matter what, it's important to make time for self-care.
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about? I have a full-length Latin Americana album planned, which will feature both songs in English and Spanish. I wrote it in its entirety during my trips back home. As an international student (and while I'm enrolled) it makes no sense for me to release it any time soon, as I can't really tour/legally sell music here (even if it's selling it for crumbs on Spotify or the likes), but I look forward to releasing all the material I've been gathering for the past couple of years as soon as it makes sense for me to do that.
In other news, maybe more relevant to Berklee, I had an assignment (which was the same for PM-111, PM-340, and LHUM-400) to interview someone who is currently doing what I want to do. I decided to go big and reached out to a personal hero of mine: Raul Malo, the golden-voiced frontman of the Mavericks. I was lucky that he agreed to meet with me while the Mavericks were on tour and passing through Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They invited me to the show, I was able to interview Mr. Malo, and the Mavericks even offered to put me up for the night so I wouldn't be stranded in Portsmouth after the show. Mr. Malo was extremely generous with his time. I had the best time ever picking the brain of an artist I greatly admire.
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class? When I'm back in Antigua Guatemala, I will go out to a bar and strike up a conversation with a stranger. I love a good story. Even if I rarely write about other people's specific personal experience, a word, gesture, or image never fails to spark up a song idea. It doesn't work the same way in Boston. Here, I will go out looking for live music. If it's good, it will inspire me to try to write something just as good. If it's bad, it will inspire me to write something that doesn't sound as bad as what I just heard!
When all else fails, I listen to Kris Kristofferson, Paul Simon, or Agust n Lara.
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most? Gaby Moreno has always been an inspiring figure and friend to me. A fellow Guatemalan, she was able to break through as an artist, while keeping her artistic integrity and always writing, performing, and producing with the utmost care for quality in her work.
Whats one piece of advice youd give to your high school self? Always be kind.
Mercedes Current Favorite Songs We asked Mercedes to share some of her all-time favorite music. Heres her list of five songs that have come out of what she says has been an oldies binge.
1. Sombras Nada M s, The Mavericks I think this is the best rendition of this classic bolero, including the original version. I love the Latin elements as well as the Americana instrumentation.
2. Pasito Tun Tun, La Sonora Santanera This is a very old song that is probably from the time of your great, great grandma. I love this arrangement, and how people still love the song, even with the simplicity of its lyrics. It's a great example of how classics never die.
3. So Far Away, Carole King There is something about Carole King's songwriting and her voice that connects with me immediately. The line, Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore? just kills me every time!
4. From the Bottle to the Bottom, Kris Kristofferson This is the wordiest good song I've ever heard. Production-wise it's not the best example, but the storytelling and images it conveys are top-notch.
5. En el ltimo Trago, Chavela Vargas (original by Jose
More from Berklee
30/03/2023
How the Wachter Fellowship Helped These Students Launch Careers in L.A. The fellowship, offered through Berklees Career Center, provides students with the mea...
29/03/2023
A Remedy for Cancel Culture MacArthur Fellow Loretta J. Ross spoke about toxic internet culture and the virtues of calling in instead of calling out at a rece...
29/03/2023
Embrace Spring with Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Groton Hill Music Center On April 8, the orchestra celebrates the changing seasons at an exciting new con...
29/03/2023
Bernice Chan on How Berklee Helped Jumpstart Her Career as a Publicist A panelist at Career Jam 2023, the recent alum discusses landing her current position a...
28/03/2023
Student Spotlight: Andrea Peters The Berklee Valencia graduate student talks about managing the campus's student-run Disrupci n Records, the class that ch...
23/03/2023
Victor Wooten Joins Panel on Music, Health, and Spirituality in the Black Commun...
21/03/2023
Student Spotlight: Chantelle Mack The music therapy student discusses the complex role of identity in music therapy, praises her canine companion, and picks h...
17/03/2023
Wayne Shorter and the Art of Now Berklee faculty share their favorite Shorter tracks as a tribute to the legendary saxophonist and composer, who passed away e...
17/03/2023
Berklees Signature Series Presents The Mambo Kings: 100 Years The concert will feature legendary percussionist John Dandy Rodriguez and six-time Latin Gramm...
15/03/2023
At the Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings Lands at the Berklee Performance Center This new project from the Berklee alumna is a must-see concert appealing to mo...
14/03/2023
Berklee to Hold Inauguration of President Erica Muhl in April Muhl is the fourth-and first female-president of Berklee.
By
Colette Greenstein
March 14, 2023
...
13/03/2023
Student Spotlight: Dakota Cohen Get to know the singer-songwriter and L.A. native ahead of her performance at the Recording Academys Texas Chapter Block Party...
10/03/2023
Celebrating Womens History Month with Tonya Butler Berklees music business chair talks about the importance of authenticity, the evolution of the media indust...
10/03/2023
K-Pop Hitmaker and Alum KENZIE Visits Berklee The alumna producer and songwriter was joined by Chris Lee, CEO of SM Entertainment, one of South Koreas largest m...
10/03/2023
Celebrating Womens History Month with Berklees Tonya Butler Butler talks about the importance of authenticity, the evolution of the media industry, and being ...
09/03/2023
Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2023 Registration for the 28th year of the program will run through April 13.
By
Callista Chan
March 9, 2023
A ...
07/03/2023
Student Spotlight: Taijee Shavers The baritone saxophonist explains how time in nature improves his sound design work, shouts out his Black Scholars Initiativ...
04/03/2023
Big Thief, Lizzy McAlpine Featured This Week on Colbert and Fallon The Berklee alumni artists performed original tunes for the top two titans of late night, w...
02/03/2023
Allen Stone Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Professiona...
02/03/2023
Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund Launches Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism is now accepting applications for the fund, which provides Berkle...
28/02/2023
Student Spotlight: Riley Finkle The music production and engineering major discusses her immersive audio and video productions, her collaboration with Harvard...
24/02/2023
February Performers in Berklee's Two Track Series Celebrate Empowerment The popular YouTube series features students performing original music and sharing...
24/02/2023
BPMI Takes Over Brighton Music Hall to Reveal Its 2023 Festival Artists The Berklee Popular Music Institute will showcase performances from Berklees hottest a...
22/02/2023
Student Spotlight: Tyesha Kohli The professional music major talks about her roller coaster ride from New Delhi to Berklee, the teachers and mentors who ins...
15/02/2023
Student Spotlight: Fouad Dakwar The Berklee NYC master's student talks about his passion for musical storytelling, being inspired by Donald Glover, and cr...
15/02/2023
Berklee Indian Ensemble Presents BIE Live: The Shuruaat Tour The 15-city U.S. tour will kick off on March 10 at the Berklee Performance Center.
By
Colette G...
14/02/2023
Remembering Burt Bacharach: Conservatory Alum Reflects on Meeting the Legendary ...
14/02/2023
Applications Open for the Nicky Jam Prodigy Scholarship Presented by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, the prestigious four-year scholarship holds a maxim...
11/02/2023
How Pinocchios Sound Supervisor Brought del Toros Puppet to Life Alum Scott Martin Gershin talks about how his musical training has informed his decades-long ...
09/02/2023
Berklee Stars Show Off Their Moves for Scholarship Fundraiser Now in its third year, Dancing with the Stars: Berklee Edition helps sustain the Dance Division ...
09/02/2023
Dr. Michael C. Mason Named Inaugural Chair of Africana Studies Department The higher education professional recently served as chair of Berklee's Liberal ...
07/02/2023
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2023 Grammy Awards Terri Lyne Carrington, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and Steven Feifke were among the winners on mus...
07/02/2023
Student Spotlight: Stephanie Coraci The vocalist and dancer talks about balancing her interest in music business with her own artistry, going to major festiva...
02/02/2023
Berklee's Signature Series Presents Gumbo Stories: A Black History Celebrati...
02/02/2023
Berklee and Electronic Arts Announce Next Gen Scholarship Program The new partnership will establish an annual scholarship and mentorship program.
By
Tori D...
02/02/2023
Claudia Brant Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Songwriti...
01/02/2023
New Music + Web3 Course to Prepare Students for the Next Generation of the Inter...
01/02/2023
Rivers School Conservatory Commissions Berklee Composer Andrew List for Annual S...
31/01/2023
Student Spotlight: Cindy Latin The Berklee NYC songwriter talks about her journey from musical theater to writing songs, getting inspired by the Big Apple, an...
30/01/2023
Latin Music Legend Talks Songcraft in a New Berklee Course In Latin Songwriting, visiting artist Claudia Brant will focus on the value of collaboration, worki...
24/01/2023
Lydia Harrell Sings National Anthem at Maura Healey's Inauguration The faculty vocalist talks about performing at the historic event earlier this month.
...
24/01/2023
Do Producers Need Technical or Musical Skills? Award-winning producer Benny Grotto unpacks Rick Rubins recent 60 Minutes comments and weighs the benefits of i...
24/01/2023
Student Spotlight: Liam Purcell The seventh-semester mandolinist traces his path to Berklee back to his Appalachian bluegrass roots, discusses his ongoing tou...
20/01/2023
Berklee and Orchestral Tools Launch Free Educational YouTube Channel Hosted by composer Alex Lamy, the new channel, Virtual Orchestration, will explore every as...
20/01/2023
Berklee Announces 2023 Spring Signature Series This years concerts will celebrate the sounds of New Orleans, the power of gospel music, and the music of Alici...
19/01/2023
Radio City Rockettes and Boston Conservatory Partner on First-Ever, College-Leve...
17/01/2023
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces Center Stage Performances for Spring 20...
14/01/2023
Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration Dzidzor Amorin and Julian Cabrera's work on the video game Delfini received a 2022...
13/01/2023
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Perform Crooked Tree on Jimmy Kimmel Live The American Roots Music Program alum played the title cut from her bands Grammy-nomin...
22/12/2022
A Late Bloomer Finds Himself on Time Is Color C dric Hanriot B.M. 08, a self-taught pianist who entered Berklee at 31, released a jazz album thats impressed t...