NVM, ILY on Distractions, Representation, and Mexican American Blue – Interview

Photo: NVM, ILY

JUST RELEASED: NVM, ILY – 'Distractions' – NVM,ILY INTERVIEW

There’s something personal about how NVM, ILY approaches songwriting. Every release is filled with intention, including their return with ‘Distractions,’ the new drop that gives listeners a glimpse into the upcoming record, Mexican American Blue. Ahead of its release, TOP8 Scene is giving you the full scoop. 

Mexican American Blue isn't just a record. It exists to make a statement. It stems from honesty, history, and the reality of growing up between cultures, while trying to find your place in the scene and in the world. Frontman Gerald Cerda shared how deeply personal and cultural the concept became throughout the writing process.

“The blue pigment is deeply tied to Latin American heritage. I personally have been drawn to the color my whole life. I even have a blue rose tattoo inspired by the Japanese folk tale ‘The Legend of the Blue Rose.’ The blue pigment emerges in Ancient Mayan cities, as it was the main color used to paint the Mayan temples and pyramids. This pigment was created using plants natural to South America and has natural waterproof properties, keeping the pyramids and temples beautiful for years. The name of the EP is an ode to that pure durability and strength of both my ancestors and their achievements. The name is a play on words, referencing the shade of the color alongside the emotional tie that blue has.”

Gerald describes the EP as “a collection of songs depicting the life and struggles of the Mexican American no sabo emo,” reclaiming a phrase that has historically carried shame for many children of immigrants.

“‘No sabo’ was a term given to the children of immigrants and their children who did not practice Spanish behind closed doors. In early Texas history, where I am from, many Latinos were subject to segregation and racism.” Gerald shares, “Parents chose not to teach their children Spanish out of pure survival. The term ‘no sabo’ later became a demeaning term used by Spanish-speaking Latinos to poke fun at non-speakers, unaware that some of these children were purposefully kept from their heritage for survival. No sabo Hispanics are extremely underrepresented and live in a world between where we are both too Mexican for the Americans and not Mexican enough for the Mexicans. I use the term religiously on social media to take the power back and show other no sabo Hispanics that they have a place just like everyone else and that it is okay to be proud of both of your cultures.”

Culture and history are also a major part of the project’s creative direction, especially given today’s political climate and ongoing conversations surrounding Hispanic and Latino identity. “We felt a strong need to bring light to the power and strength that is the Latino culture, and that our rich history should be preserved.”

Even within emo and alternative spaces, typically being so open and inclusive, representation still matters. While Gerald grew up surrounded by a strong Latino rock scene in San Antonio, the larger industry still had noticeable gaps when it came to diversity and representation.

“In my own city, not so much. San Antonio, TX, has a heavily Latino rock scene. It wasn’t until I really ventured out with my first serious band, Not So Lucky, that I really started to notice the lack of representation. I mean, even now, when people think of a Mexican emo band, there is one name that comes up: PTV. However, there are so many Latino-fronted emo bands or bands with Latino members, but it was clear who the dominating class in the space was. It never bothered me much, as the emo scene itself has always been one of the most loving and welcoming scenes to exist in this music industry. Though it would have been quite inspiring to me to see someone who looked like me do the thing, now I have the opportunity to give that to someone.”

The lack of diversity doesn’t just exist in the Latino realm; the scene as a whole has some broadening to do. “I believe that the scene could definitely use more representation in general, not just for Latinos. I also would love to see venues and promoters believe in local artists. I would love to see artists reach out from older bands. This used to exist in the touring world, but in the age of social media, fewer older artists meet up-and-coming ones simply because they don’t meet on the road.”

Musically, Mexican American Blue pulls inspiration from across the emo and pop-punk scene, while honoring important cultural influences.

“This EP pulls from so many different inspirations. The emo rock essence is heavily influenced by The Starting Line, Christie Front Drive, Paramore, Mayday Parade, and Hit The Lights. Influences are pretty easily heard from fans of theirs, and of course, all-around emo influence. Another musical artist that I would like to highlight as influential is Selena Quintanilla. She is a highly influential Latino artist, my mother’s personal favorite, and I really wanted to find a way to honor her as well. When I first moved to LA, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a phenomenal songwriter, Norman Saleet, who is actually the songwriter behind Selena’s ‘Where Did the Feeling Go?,’ which is also one of my mother’s favorite songs. Fast forward about 10 years, and Norman and I were able to get in the studio with his daughter, Abbey Scott, to write the ballad ‘A Note from My Mother’ on this EP.”

That sense of community has also played a huge role when it comes to collaboration with NVM, ILY.

“Music to me has always been communal. I felt it was very important to create art with my friends, especially on a record that quickly became a very meaningful one in my heart. I am also a firm believer that you imprint pieces of your soul onto your records, and to be able to forever pair a piece of me with some of my best friends is one of the great wins that music has to offer.”

If Mexican American Blue could be summed up in just three words?

“Raw, emotional, and provoking. The lyrics are all very personal, and I speak on my life specifically a lot. I go through a rollercoaster of highs and lows with the tracks. There are some sneaky lyrics in there for the ones it’s meant for hahaha.”

One particular track stands out for Gerald on this project; it’s one that he and NVM, ILY have been saving for a while. “‘On Again (I Think I Need to Go Out)’ — This song I have personally been sitting on for about 8 years. I performed it a few times, and it’s always had such a great response, but the production never hit for me. I actually hired multiple producers on this song until I got it right. The guys working on this full EP nailed this production, and it has quickly become a favorite!”

‘Distractions,’ the latest drop that’s leading us into this new era of NVM, ILY is a track that captures the push-and-pull that defines so much of the record.  The spin explores themes of fear, self-sabotage, and the struggle of wanting closeness despite being afraid of it. 

“So I tend to pull from my personal life a lot, as I am an open book. The bridge was actually the first portion of the song that I wrote. I have an issue with becoming very close with someone and then taking too much time thinking of how I can mess things up, that they eventually move on. This happened recently with someone whom I see frequently, and ‘Distractions’ was born. It’s sort of a play on ‘I love you, but I don’t want to lose you.’”

One lyric in particular stood out to us, a lyric that plays on emotional avoidance and self-sabotage: “I pick a fight when conversations getting weaker.” Which is a defence mechanism a lot of us tend to use. 

“I have a tendency to be avoidant in relationships when things aren’t as easy as I assumed they’d be. Sometimes I would choose a fight over not speaking at all. I really wanted to convey that in a way people would understand.”

Another standout line, “If I could be your everything / then I would be the best goddamn mimic you’ve ever seen,” dives into the pressure of reshaping yourself for others.

“I personally have struggled with this exact thing before. Changing to be a better fit for the person you are with or want to be with is a common theme, I believe, and I wanted to say it in a playful way.”

Visually, the upcoming music video leans into classic pop-punk aesthetics while continuing the project’s growing visual world.

“The music video is shot in Chatsworth and Silver Lake. It plays on typical pop punk-style videos. There are some band performance shots in a park, with some shots of myself and a blue-haired ‘love interest,’ who is also seen in our lyric video for ‘I Know You Think This Song Is About You But Other People Live in Chicago Too.’”

TOP8’s Take?

With “Distractions,” NVM, ILY continues to prove that being vulnerable and honest are the heart of amazing emo and pop-punk songwriting. Mexican American Blue is a project built to leave a lasting impression when it comes to embracing identity and heritage, and it creates a space for people who may have never fully felt seen within the scene before. Music is an amazing outlet when it comes to conveying a message, and this message is clear. No matter where you come from, you should always be proud of your identity and who you are. In today’s world, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong, which is why NVM, ILY, and TOP8 are here to tell you to embrace it!! Stream the video, get ready for the official release on June 5th, and spin NVM, ILY. 

SPIN DISTRACTIONS: