It was the late 1990s when mariachi Enrique Blanco first visited Indianapolis. Javier Amezcua, the owner of the famous Mexican restaurant El Sol de Tala, who died in 2015, used to bring Mariachi Sol Jalisciense from his hometown in Jalisco, Mexico, to create an authentic atmosphere at his eastside Indianapolis restaurant.
“We used to come and work there on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,” said Blanco. “We decided to stay and make our lives here.”
The rest is history. You’ve likely seen them playing your favorite Mexican songs during Day of the Dead celebrations. Perhaps you’ve seen them during halftime at a sporting event or at a mass honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and ahead of ArcFest on Oct. 3, where Mariachi Sol Jaliscience will perform on the Play List stage, we spoke with the founder of the music group.
Blanco shared how he’s seen the city of Indianapolis change, his favorite song and what he does when he’s not dressed in his mariachi uniform.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Enrique, what do you do with Mariachi Sol Jalisciense?
Well, we try to share our Mexican music here in Indianapolis and bring the traditions of our Mexico to the city.
What instruments do you play?
I play the vihuela and the guitarrón, and …
… and you sing, too?
A little bit, yes.
How long has Mariachi Sol Jalisciense been playing in Indianapolis?
We’ve been here since 1999. We’ve been playing in Indianapolis for a long time now.
Is there a history before Indianapolis?
Yes. We are a mariachi group from Mexico; in fact, we formed in Guadalajara, Jalisco. We spent a long time backing up Mexican artists back home, and then we decided to come and try our luck here in Indianapolis.
All together?
All together. We liked it, so we ended up staying. It’s a very beautiful city.
You’ve seen a lot of changes since 1999.
Quite a bit. In fact, we’ve seen how the city has changed in every way. And well, it’s a much bigger city now.
What is the most impressive thing you’ve seen over the years?
The number of Hispanic people living here. I remember when we first arrived, there wasn’t even a place to get a haircut. We had to go around looking for someone to cut our hair. Now, you can find someone to cut your hair just about anywhere.
What is your schedule like during Hispanic Heritage Month? What does a typical day look like for you?
Right now we usually start playing early; we have a contract with a hotel chain, so we go and work for them. We play for the housekeeping staff — we create a festive atmosphere for them.
We throw a party for them as a gesture of appreciation from the hotels to the workers. So, all through this month, we start very early in the day.
That is something very important. How does it feel to have that as your calling — representing the idea of ”home” for so many people?
For me, it’s very gratifying, because making people feel good is part of what music is all about — conveying emotion and, more than that, sharing the spirit of our Mexico. We share it with our fellow countrymen and with those who aren’t — Anglos love the music of our Mexico, too.
It’s a very satisfying thing. So, I think that was one of the things that drew me to music: trying to convey feelings.
What is your favorite song?
“El Rey” by José Alfredo Jiménez.
He’s from Guanajuato, right?
Guanajuato. One of the greatest songwriters in our music.
Have you found that people ask for newer songs?
Yes, music has changed a lot these days. The lyrics have changed significantly. Songwriters used to write about love; they wrote things very different from what you hear now.
But young people like the music, and well, you have to respect their choices. And yes, sometimes they even ask for Karol G. They ask for all kinds of music. We try to keep up, but there is so much music out there.
What do you like most about living in Indianapolis?
The people. Plus, it’s a very quiet city, different from other cities. I lived in Seattle — that’s a faster-paced city. Indianapolis is very nice.
Who is part of the group Sol Jalisciense? What are the biggest changes the group has gone through during the years you’ve played together?
Well, regarding changes, there have actually been quite a few, because right now we have an entirely new group. None of the original members are left; I’m the only one. So, things are very different now.
We used to work one way, but now the focus is on pleasing the audience and ensuring they are truly satisfied with our work.
It’s hard working so many nights and staying out so late.
It’s difficult in every sense. It takes a toll on your body. You get tired. Sometimes you don’t sleep, or you have to get up very early, so physically, it’s exhausting.
And regarding family, they don’t have you around the way they would with a standard job. In our line of work, in the music business, you can get a call at any moment, and you have to head out right then and there, no matter the time.
It’s like being a priest.
Exactly.
A priest of Mexican music. Do you have hobbies? Are there things you do when you aren’t playing music?
Yes, quite a few, I’d say. I really love birds. I raise canaries, parakeets, pigeons … I used to keep roosters. I like writing. I like drawing and painting. And sports. I’m really into sports.
What do you write?
Songs.
Really?
I actually have a wall where I display my paintings, but it’s not in the living room or anywhere people would normally see them. It’s on a wall where I can go and look at the things I’ve created.
Why don’t you share your paintings or personal songs?
I uploaded a few images to Facebook. People liked them, but for now, I feel like it’s something just for me.
O.K. Do you plan to retire from mariachi music someday?
Yes. In fact, I always thought I’d retire once I hit the 40-year mark, because I didn’t want to be out there — to be the face of the group — at a point where I couldn’t convey or deliver what a mariachi musician is supposed to deliver. I felt that was the right age to retire. But here I am, still going.
How old are you now?
Fifty. And we’re still here, still in the music.
For those who are feeling sad, what song would you recommend as the best medicine?
Once again, “El Rey.” “El Rey”— from the moment that song starts, you can hear the urge to shout. So, I think that’s a perfect song for any moment like that.
Could you sing a little bit of “El Rey” for us?
Thank you so much, Enrique.
It was a pleasure.
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Jennifer Delgadillo is Mirror Indy’s arts and culture editor. You can reach her at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.
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