Few can digest and spit their pain back out like Ricky Mendoza. A veteran storyteller with a brazen voice, he asks the big questions, leaves no stone unturned, and invites his audience to brave his aching heart with him.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.


Ricky Mendoza and the Screaming Heart Guitar: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar (singer-songwriter)



For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to this? How long has the band been around?


I’ve been a solo singer-songwriter artist since 2012 but I'm barely pulling together a full band to play in late 2021.



Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?


Since I started as a solo singer-songwriter the main themes are personal stories from my life. Problems with love, identity, loving myself, courage, taking risks, among other things. It’s really therapeutic to be able to turn shit into something productive like a song.

My main focus in writing songs is the storytelling. To me, it is important that you relate and take the songs as your own because at the end of the day, the songs are about the human experience.



What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?


Against Me, David Byrne, Animal Collective, Neutral Milk Hotel, Bad Religion, among others.



What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …


To me, performing is very physical and in order to bring the energy up to where I want, I jump up and down as if I were about to fight a boxing match.



What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?


This year I released a new album called “The New Hurt.” Every new release is a chance to connect and relate to folks that may be going through similar shit and this release was no exception. For example, I have songs about death, S&M, taking risks, lost love, etc. These are the kind of fun topics that have been provoking deep convos...I find them to be a lot of fun! 


If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?


I would absolutely love to tour with Against Me or Bad Religion. Can you imagine that? Hanging out with those cats and learning so damn much?



Is there anything else you would like to add?


Thanks so much for taking the time and the space to chat about indie music. I appreciate it so damn much.

Facebook | Instagram | Website