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More Than A DJ
Frank Miramontes expresses his talents through
drawing and deejaying.
Interview by qvStaff Roldán
DJ Frankie (Frank Miramontes) is known in the Los Angeles
scene for his deejaying at several Latino clubs such as Escandalo
on Wednesdays and Circus Disco on Fridays. But what many people
don't know about Frankie is that this 31-year-old is also an
extremely talented artist. His artwork has graced many of the
flyers that promote Escandalo, and last year, some of his artwork
was even displayed at an art show put on by LA promoter Lil Mario.
Frankie spoke to us about his art, his deejaying, and the Latino community. Here's what he had to say:
When did you first start drawing?
I started drawing when I was really young. You know those
contests they used to have in the back of TV Guide and other
magazines where they had you draw like a bear or a turtle or
something? I used to love those and I'd draw those all the time.
From there, I just never stopped.
Have there been any particular artists or any types
of art that have inspired you in your creativity?
I'd say the drawings that I've seen of male figures that aren't
nasty but more erotic or tender-where they show affection and
they show love. I guess that's what inspires my artwork. I want
to bring emotion to the viewer, whether it be eroticism, sadness,
or some kind of emotion.
Who are the people in your drawings?
They're
all in my head. They're all make-believe. A lot of times I'll
draw something and when I finish it, it will remind me of someone.
But I don't usually draw a specific person-usually it's just
someone from my imagination.
Which do you prefer, drawing or deejaying?
I think I prefer drawing. I've always said that if
I won the lottery I would make myself a studio and just create
all day long-drawing and doing whatever I want to do.
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An example
of Frankie's artistic talent. Please click on illustration to
see a larger version.
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What have been the challenges, if any, that you have
encountered in reaching your goals?
Ever
since I can remember I was always sort of invisible. When I was
in school I was short-well I'm still short-but I was always the
littlest person in class and I was quiet so I didn't have a lot
of friends. I think of myself like I was like a little nerd growing
up and going to school. So basically my artwork, and later on
my deejaying, was my chance to be somebody and be noticed. That's
something I never had as I was growing up. I had older brothers
who were good at everything. They were good at sports and they
were popular, so when it came to me it was like I didn't exist.
So I guess this was my way of getting noticed and being good
at something.
How has being QV affected your life?
Being
QV hasn't really stopped me from doing anything I've wanted
to do. It's a challenge living day to day, but it has inspired
me to do a lot of the artwork that I've done. And playing at
the clubs which, to me, I think you hear better music at QV
clubs than you do at straight clubs. So being able to deejay
at a QV club is something that I think of as an accomplishment.
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Are you out?
For the most part
I am. Some of my family knows and most of my friends. And of
course a lot my friends that I've met now are in the QV community.
This issue of qv is about faith. What has given you
faith or has inspired you?
My oldest
brother because I always wanted to be like him. He always encouraged
me to perfect my skills. He passed away a few years ago in a
car accident. I guess when I draw, a lot of times I think of
him and how he motivated me to be better.
What do you think of today's younger QV people?
Today, I find that a lot of younger QV people are
eager to show what they have and show who they are as compared
to when I was younger. I go to deejay at these house parties
and there are like these 14, 15, 16 year olds who are expressing
themselves and who aren't afraid to be who they are. That was
something I never had when I was growing up. So I see a lot of
freedom to express yourself nowadays and I think that's a good
thing. It shows that people are more accepting and more accepting
of themselves to be that way.
Where do you see yourself in say 10-15 years?
I don't know. What I wish for myself is that I would be able
to create all day. I know that I have a lot of creativity inside
me that I haven't been able to explore yet. As I've gotten older
and had more responsibilities, it's really made it harder to
focus on it. I could say that right now I'm happy. I wish I had
more money, but I guess everybody does. But I keep working and
getting better at my art.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
I'd like to thank Lil Mario for supporting me. If it wasn't
for him I don't think I would have ever had the opportunity to
be able to show my artwork to the QV community and for getting
me to deejay. I also want to recognize Andrew D. who inspired
me because I like the way he deejays.
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