La Junta began early 2004 with a sound combining various musical styles. Influenced by so many genres, including jazz, blues, rock, reggae, latin and hip-hop, every song is significantly different from the next. Attempting to blend each sound, we believe we have found something very refreshing in a world of cardboard cutouts. With our unique style as a backdrop, we reflect what we observe in our everyday lives as well as represent who we are and where we come from in a positive way.
Nick Pena (Acoustic/Electric guitar-lead vocals) began teaching himself to play and write songs in 2001 after being inspired by neighbor Tim Reynolds. By 2002 Nick was jamming with David Fishback (electric/classical guitar) to waste away the nights. Around that same time an elementary school friend, Aaron Lamb (Drums/backup vocals) would begin to sit in to complete what was the beginning of La Junta. Shortly after, Matt Ojinaga was introduced to the group and by late 2003 La Junta was born. In early 2004 at a show in Arizona, Matt C.T. (Turntables/Vocals) jammed with La Junta for the first time, adding to the diversity of its sound.
With help from World Records Music (S.F.), and The Conservatory for Arts and Sciences (AZ), and our friend (and cousin) B, we recorded our first full length album Blue Collar Beats, released in late 2005. That same year, original member David Fishback left the group, and shortly after, Matt C.T. left to focus on his work.
Since then we have made two additions: Danny "Corazon" Hart (Auxiliary Percussion/backup vocals), who brings to the group his love of music and enthusiasm, and Delmone Taylor (Alto/Tenor Saxaphone), who adds musical talent, background and knowledge that would make Coltrane proud. Together we create a sound fusing Reggae, Latin, Rock, Blues, and Hip-Hop - music with poetic and thought provoking lyrics delivered in English and Spanish rhyme.
Recently in May of 2009 La Junta was nominated thier first time in for 2 New Mexico Music Awards, one for best blues song and another for best hispanic contemporary where they took home the award for best hispanic contemporary song. A couple weeks later the group released thier 3rd studio production entittled "Slangin Dirt". A collection of songs that rivals the best the band has done to date. Available on CD baby and various online stores. [back to top]
Nicholas (Nick) Peña, Acoustic/Electric Guitar and Vocals
Inspired at 18 after seeing Mr. Tim Reynolds and Dave Mathews perform at the Kiva auditorium in Albuquerque, i picked up a guitar and begin to teach myself to play. My next door neighbor, Tim, inspired me to struggle through teaching myself, saying that he believed his talent was derived from the idea that when you teach yourself and you don't know the "rules," you are unbound by them. By my high school graduation i had written my first song titled "finally gone" with my close friend X. Many frustrated moments and a couple of guitars later, i had a list of songs including "blue collar beats," "2 Sides," "I Scream," "The weed song," and "Santa Fe."
Soon after moving to Albuquerque in late 2002, i reunited with a close friend from elementary school, Aaron Lamb (drums), and later my high school friend, David Fishback (guitar). We began jamming songs i wrote in my room in the student ghetto at UNM where we began to draw a very small following of close friends that liked to hang out while we practiced. As a three piece, we began playing at house parties but continued to lack something. That something came in the form of Matt Ojinaga (bass), and in 2003, La Junta was born. Soon after, Matt CT (Dj) began performing with the group prior to the release of "Blue Collar Beats."
Though the group has changed since then, four years later i continue to grow and learn as a musician with a great and talented group of individuals supporting me: Aaron Lamb (drums), Matt Ojinaga (bass), Danny Hart (percussion), and Delmone Taylor (sax). I continue to strive for uniqueness, by writing what i see in the world and representing who i am and where i come from in a positive way. [back to top]
Danny "Corazon" Hart, Percussion
Danny Hart, “Corazon” to his homies, was born August 12 in Albuquerque, NM, and was raised in Eldorado, just outside Santa Fe. Prior to about four years ago, he had zero experience playing a musical instrument. His only knowledge of music came from listening to it constantly as a kid. In the Hart house classic rock was always playing from his parents’ radio and gangsta rap was always bumping from his brother’s system.
In 2003, when I was living with Aaron Lamb, he was given an opportunity to play music for the first time on Lamb’s drum set. Nick Peña, a long time friend, along with David Fishback and Aaron Lamb, began jamming songs that Nick would write; La Junta was born. Good friend Matt Ojinaga, and Matt CT would join the band soon after. When Aaron was out of town, Danny would spend his days emulating the classic rock and gangsta rap tunes of his youth. In 2004 unfortunately Fishback and CT both left the band, leaving a void to be filled. Ojinaga, Peña and Lamb suggested that Danny pick up percussion (timbales, congas etc.). Suggestions became demands, demands became harassments, and in the middle of 2006 Danny Hart was the newest member of La Junta. [back to top]
Matthew "Oji" Ojinawa, Bass
Born on New Years Eve, Matt "Oji" Ojinaga came into this world ready for a party. At the age of nine, he began playing classical guitar and promptly gave it up at the age of twelve. Five years later, he decided once again to pick up an instrument but this time opted for the harmonica. However, this did not last long either and at his high school graduation party, after a long night of underage drinking, his harmonica ended up in a glass of beer. It was not until that tragic moment that he realized he needed a larger instrument and so he decided to go with the bass.
After two years of playing Nirvana and Sublime covers, Danny Hart finally introduced him to the founding members of La Junta. After learning the songs by writing the notes on the back of paper plates, within two weeks Oji played his first show with La Junta in Phoenix, AZ and has not turned back since. [back to top]
Aaron "Lambo" Lamb, Drums and Vocals
In late 2002 I ran into long time friend Nick Peña at UNM. It was the first time I had seen him in a long time. He told me he had been playing guitar with David Fishback, that his drum kit was here in Albuquerque, and I should come by, jam a little and chill. That’s how it all started and we never (or at least I never) thought we were going to become a band in the beginning.
Musical interest and talent comes from both sides of my family and it was expected that I would play an instrument of one form or another as well. I started playing piano when I was in third or fourth grade. I never really liked the piano and I knew my father had played the drums. So of course I wanted to play the drums too. My mom was all for it, and as long as I played something and would be in the school band, I was allowed to play the drums. I started learning percussion in fifth grade in summer band and then moved on to middle school band, both marching and concert. I did this all the way through high school never thinking I would really continue playing all that seriously after graduation. So when I ran into Peña that day on campus I probably hadn’t played for half a year, if not longer.
When we first started to jam together it was more of a chill party then anything else. But as time went on Peña kept bringing out more and more songs, so we continued to jam along with him. The first “show” we ever played was at a friend’s house party and it was just Pena and me, guitar and drums. Later Oji (bass) joined and then Matt CT (turntables), to complete the band. Later my long time friend and roommate, Danny Hart, joined, and around the same time, Delmone Taylor joined as well, to complete La Junta.
I have known Hart since third grade. We played basketball and baseball together and went to the same schools. I’ve known Peña since sixth grade and we also played basketball and baseball together growing up. I’ve known Oji since little league baseball, when we played against each other. Del started coming around in 2004 sitting in on a jam or for a show. and after a few years joined for good. These are my brothers. [back to top]
Delmone "Del" Taylor, Sax
I was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 12, 1979, and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska till the age of 18. I picked up the saxophone when I was seven, while visiting my mother's home in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans legend, Mr. "Kidd" Jordan, showed me that learning the sax was not only easy, but fun. I played all thru school, trying to catch a lesson with any musician that dared to make the haul up to Alaska. Besides Mr. Jordan, I've had the blessings to study under Brian Dickerson, Lyle Dockendorff, Hal Sherman, Dan Goble, Leonard Neidhold, Ted DeCorso, John Harbaugh, Sandy Clack, Don Hildie, Vicki Robbe, Andrew Gross, Stephan Ehrlander, Jason Slats, Brett Forsythe, Eric Lau, Carrie Koffman, Pat Posey, David Sanchez, Sunny Wilkinson, Ernie Watts, and Wynton Marsalis. I have to mention these people because they've had a significant effect on the way I play. I thank you all for patience and knowledge.
After touring Europe for my 19th Birthday with the UAF Jazz Band, I moved to Albuquerque and earned my B.A. in Music Education at UNM. I love teaching others how to speak the music language, but I realized after working with my students, I needed to play more shows so I could have more to teach them. Getting a degree in music teaches you the basics but NOTHING about the business. Why is it that every major other than Fine Arts teaches you how to make money in your field? It didn't make sense to me, and I didn't want to give the gift of music to people and not be able to tell them how to earn a living with the very same thing I taught them to be so passionate about. There was much more I needed to learn. To better educate myself on the "business" side of music, I set out on a mission to play with as many bands as possible, from coast to coast, traveling to anyone who would hear me. I'm thankful for having the opportunity to make music with over 30 bands just right here in Albuquerque, including: Felonious Groove Foundation, Mystic Vision, and James Douglas Show, as well as several other killer bands throughout the country. Much love to you all! You've taught me sooo much!
In the Fall of 2003, I went to go meet up with some friends at a local bar for a couple beers. The band was pretty decent and had a lot of potential. They all had a good time on stage and the crowd was diggin' them. It wasn't until the night was over and the band started to break down their equipment that I realized I just HAD to make music with these guys. The band fought the bouncers!! The only thing I could think about was, "Damn, I've NEVER been in a band that had my back like that." The rest is history. I've been a loyal member of La Junta ever since.
Just in the past year, I've been blessed to start 2 of my own companies, Taylor Made Real Estate, and Taylor Made Records. When I'm not educating people on the "right" way to sell or buy their home, I'm rockin stages with La Junta, or jamming out with my own band, Law Of Attraction. I've traveled the world playing music, and if you take anything from this, please hear this: Albuquerque has some of the most INCREDIBLE musicians this earth has to offer! If you have not been to a show, GO SEE SOMEONE PLAY! It doesn't have to be my show, or even the bands I play in, but please just go see SOMEONE!! I am more than positive you will not only be shocked at the talent on stage, but you will have a wonderful time! Please support your live local music scene!! Think of it this way: even Bob Marley was local at one point. [back to top]