Justin Saragueta: Singer, Songwriter

Instead of an article on the craft of writing, today’s Magical Monday welcomes Justin Saragueta–musician/singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist. He’s better known as gueta and that’s the name of the CD he’ll be releasing in a couple weeks.

I’m a Gueta fan through and through. Justin wrote the marvelous theme song for my Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues book video, which has garnered tons of kudos. How did he come up with such a perfect song? I don’t know. He read the beginning of the book for tone, asked me what I wanted . . . I could only think of “attitude.” What you hear is the first version I heard–loved it, didn’t want a single change. I was astounded at how perfect it was, especially since he had to use a completely different style than is normal for him. So yes, I’m a fan forever. Justin is a very talented man.

So now, let’s get on with the interview!

JR: Welcome to Texty Ladies, Justin! We’re delighted you could take some time to share with us today. We’d like to know a little about you, your name, and your music.

gueta: Before I start tooting my own proverbial brass horn I’d like to thank Jacquie Rogers for the interview and for the chance of writing the theme song to her newly released novel Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues. Also, a quick thanks to those of you taking the time to read this, and everyone involved in some form or another for having me do this interview.

So!? Just who in the heck is Justin Saragueta? Well, that seems to be one of those elusive quandaries that stays as close and as a far away as a Swiss cheese shadow in the shade at high noon. What can I say…you asked for it.

I guess I should start when I first started crying. I was born in Southern California- Redondo Beach to be exact. Both of my folks are full-blooded Spanish Basque. No, this is not nor does it have anything to do with being a fish, catching a fish, smelling like fish or tarter sauce. I know, I know. Darn!

My father, Justo Saragueta, was born in a small village on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees Mountains a few gorgeous mountain sloped minutes to the border of France. Contrabanding rifles, horses, food, and Portuguese men and women- just to name a few that he has actually confessed to- is frowned upon in most countries. Yes, I was shocked by this as well. So, at the ripe age of sixteen he was sent to the states with twenty bucks, a tuna sandwich in a brown bag, and a note pinned to his chest, “Hello. My name is Justo Saragueta. I am sheep herding for Antonio Zalba in Fresno California,” written on the front of it. My mother, Marsha Saragueta, has been shaking her head ever since! Yes, some women ARE stronger than others!

We moved around a fair bit while I was growing up. My father became a restaurateur, finally settling us down in a small dairy town, Hanford, in central California when I was about thirteen. Our home was a loving and fun environment for the most part filled with laughter. It was an upbringing with loose to no rules that allowed my younger sister Jessica and I the liberty to fully explore who and what we wanted to be without judgment. My father, unlike my mother, has always been very non-conforming. And as the saying goes, the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, regardless of height, weight or maturation.

It seemed like from the moment I graduated high school I wanted out of the house so I could finally start being my own man. So I did that which I thought most boys in my position would do, I partied enough to sedate a continent of full grown rhinos. I hid from the real world for four years at University of Pacific. With a freshly printed and signed BA that my father at times finds to be BS, I started working in what others consider to be the real world. Sales, bartending, truck driving, golf professional, that one failed attempt at ownership and employment of a high end super model only cliental escort service. I would have made one heck of a pinball machine but that thought never occurred to me until now. Then the day came when I just couldn’t fight it anymore. I listened to that intuitive voice clawing at my insides and I sold all my possessions, bought an around the world plane ticket, $200 guitar after tax and started writing my first novel, A Life too Important to Take Seriously. The creative dam didn’t just break, it exploded.

Since 2002, I have been traveling the globe with a guitar, ink-deprived notebooks, empty pockets, a curious disposition, and thirst for the unknown. I’ve played music for people in Australia, London, Scotland, Spain, Indonesia and Fiji to name a few. For me, life has become about unplugging from the societal norm so I can chase the search for inner understanding. The best way I know how to do this is through song, poem or short story. But I would have to say that the music has bullied its way to the front of the priority list. Not a second goes by that I don’t feel grateful for having the music in me.

JR: Congratulations on the release of your new CD! Please tell us about it–genre, how it came about, who’s playing on it, and how to buy it.

gueta: Actually, I am still in production on the new CD. My producer Cookie and I are hoping it will have an early May release date. It’s one of those things that you just want to get done so you can get to another rung on the ladder but then realize part of that journey is making it and the making of it is nothing short of a BLAST.

The genre would probably fall under Pop as most artists like John Mayer, Matchbox Twenty, etc. are these days. But I think it has some of that good old traveled grass roots folk rock with a splash of reggae, acoustic and Latin feel as well. They are songs with stories. My travels have molded me into something I may not have fully comprehended I was before embracing them. These things for me are hard to pigeon hole. But I am VERY proud of the work.

There are some amazing artists on the project. Cookie Marenco of Blue Coast World is producing it. She is a brilliant woman and a good friend. Patrick O’Connor of OTR Studios is the engineer and plays some mean guitar riffs while giving me much needed worldly advice on a day to day basis. Brain of Guns N Roses plays drums on some tracks as well as Billy Johnson formerly of Santana. It’s really kind of a who’s who instrumentally speaking.

So how do you buy it? Money helps! Please check out http://www.justinsaragueta.com

We, Cookie Marenco and myself, are taking a grass roots approach to this album. Just ask Cookie and she’ll tell you the music industry isn’t what it used to be. The solo artist needs to be a clever business person as well these days. Performing for the love of it won’t get you there unless you are meeting people and collecting names and email addresses along the way. So if everyone can please visit my website and join my email list you will be updated monthly on shows, events, the progress of the CD, and how to purchase tracks. Other sites to visit also include:

http://www.myspacecom/justinsaragueta

http://www.facebook.com/justinsaragueta

JD: Thanks so much for talking with the Texty Ladies today, Justin. We’re looking forward to the second part of your interview May 2, and I understand some lucky person who comments on either Part 1 or Part 2 of your interview will win a free, autographed CD, before anyone else gets it! Believe me, we’re really looking forward to that.

For the most impatient of us, you can buy a Special Pre-Release version of “MmmHmm” only available at Justin’s store.

Have a Magical Monday!

Jacquie
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues (See the Book Video featuring Justin Saragueta)
Jacquie Rogers *** Myspace *** Twitter *** Facebook
Faery Special Romances * Book Video * Royalties go to Children’s Tumor Foundation, ending Neurofibromatosis through Research

Tags: basque, gueta, justin saragueta, latin, Music, pop, san sebastian spain