About 3 months ago, I was looking for new music so I took a look at Stone Throw’s website. It was only right, considering that Stones Throw is one of my favorite labels. While looking through the Stones Throw store, I stumbled upon a link that read Mexicans With Guns. I thought to myself, “That sounds DOPE.” Amused by the name, I clicked the link. There wasn’t really shit on the page so I was confused. I don’t like being confused, so I took my issue up with YouTube. The first song I listened to by Mexicans With Guns, a.k.a. Ernest Gonzales, was “Icaros”. As it started playing, I started to get excited (not in a horny way). I thought to myself, “I usually don’t like dubstep, but this is different.” It was definitely something that I had never heard before, but yet, it sounded so familiar. The song was filled with so many emotions. I was happy in a sad way, but peaceful as if I just took an 8th of mushrooms. It felt as if I was in a video game slashing Latin monsters because they were trying to take over my futuristic spacecraft. As the song progressed, I became more and more impressed. You know that girl you went to elementary school with who was kind of nerdy, but through the years she kept looking better and better while her friends stayed the same and by senior year she was the baddest? The song developed like that. After listening to Icaros, I was ready to buy one of his tracks.
 
Note: I hardly ever buy new music anymore. I only buy music if I am in some way moved by it and want to support the artist.
 
The first thing that popped up when I searched for his music was beenmeaningtotellyou.com. I started to preview the songs, and I was blown away. I proceeded to purchase “Been Meaning to Tell You” on vinyl. Each track has incredible replay value. It contains everything from beat boxing and bells chiming to psychedelic and Nintendo sounds. About a month later, I heard that Mexicans With Guns was planning on coming to the HOB in Cleveland and one of my boys was going to open for him. Long story short, I got to kick it with him. He was one of the coolest, laid back, most down to earth artists I’ve ever met. Before the show, The Coventry Kids were about to interview him, but they needed someone to ask questions. I happily accepted the offer. I had a great time with the interview. The concert was a great experience. MWG wore a Luchador mask, and used classic software during the performance, specifically Reason 2. I also got to take him to the airport the next day. It felt good to meet someone who I admire. It felt even better that he was a humble and real guy. Who would’ve thought that when he’s not making music, he’s teaching kids in a middle school? Anyway, I’ll close this with what I said earlier. Remember the ugly girl? It’s like that, but Ernest Gonzales isn’t a girl; he’s an artist. While the majority is staying the same, he’s stepping out of the boundaries and leaving his unique mark behind.
 
- Shwan