The Watching bandmates drummer Eric Martinez, lead singer Miguel Davila, lead guitarist John Michael, and bass guitarist Matt Craig anxiously await their first live performance on KSYM 90.1 FM Feb. 5. Photo by Belinda Hernandez
By Ian Coleman
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
“I don’t want to make hits, I want to make moments,” John Michael Manzano of The Watching said before the band performed and recorded live for their first time Feb. 5 on “Live on KSYM” hosted by live sound engineer and hip-hop director Liese Segovia.
The band is composed of vocalist Miguel Davila, lead guitarist and songwriter Manzano, bassist Matt Craig and drummer Eric Martinez.
Martinez, 24, radio-television-broadcasting freshman, caught Segovia’s attention with his band’s music at a KSYM staff meeting where Segovia received permission to set up an email, liveonksym@yahoo.com, for local bands to submit music for live performance considerations.
“He walked over at the end of the meeting and asked me if I’d listen to his music, and if I liked it could he play on the show,” Segovia said.
Segovia and program director James Velten approved The Watching’s music and booked a date for the band to perform on KSYM 90.1 FM.
Craig said the band has “the old school feeling, that old vibe of your songs meaning something and telling a story, taking you somewhere.”
The band was scheduled in recording studio 201D for a 30-minute time slot, from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
While on air, The Watching played five of their songs. They were “Smiles and Cries,” “Constellations,” “Lost High-way,” “Ashes” and one untitled track.
Davila said the band prefers to write and play tracks live and later name them.
“He (Manzano) couldn’t hear what I’m saying at first and then I’m like ‘well what are you calling this song?’ and he throws out a name that’s in the song. Not the words, but the description of it,” Davila said.
Segovia worked alone, running back and forth between the recording and radio studios.
The band hopes to use the live recording to put together an album and EP, with hopes of touring in March. EP stands for extended play. It is a recording that is too short for an album and too long for a single.
“We’d like to try doing some stuff by the end of March. We would like to have at least a small EP when we go out to play so we can give that out to the people,” Craig said.
For more information on The Watching visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thewatchingofficial.
Segovia welcomes local bands from this college and from the San Antonio area.
“I think there is a lot of talent out there and any way that I can, I help get their music out there. It’s nice to help musicians that deserve recognition,” Segovia said.
Apart from “Live on KSYM” she also hosts “Hidden Traxx,” a show that features local hip-hop artists.
Segovia enjoys playing local music, because radio today doesn’t air local artists.
Apart from The Watching, Segovia has had other memorable artists perform on the show.
“I had this guy Goatcraft in here,” Segovia said. “He was this huge metal guy, but he plays the piano. As soon as he touches the piano, it’s like Mozart appears.”
Segovia said Goatcraft classifies himself as a necro-pianist because of the dark undertones in his music.
For more information, call Segovia at 210-486-1373.
