15. Pam Reyes
PAM REYES HAS A MAGNETIC SPIRIT.
It’s a joy to be around her basking in her energy. We met at an open mic in the West Village. We were part of this unofficial group of music makers, all bopping around every week open mics at The Path Cafe, Caffe Vivaldi, and the Vagabond Cafe. This community of troubadours made moving to NYC so much less daunting, turning the West Village into a tiny town where every songwriter knew each other. People like Pam cheered each other on, and it’s friends like her who inspired me to dive deeper into music, to keep trying to write songs. Years have passed since that time, but this girl still inspires me with her art and her heart. We text each other often about applying for grants to make records, what music we are feeling these days, and our thoughts on whether a pop song always needs a bridge. She just released a beautiful new song, and I know she has more shows and recordings coming soon. Enjoy diving into her thoughts and feelings on the world in the interview below!
Illustration by Dani Alvarez
This interview has been edited and condensed.
What is your name?
Ana Maria Pamela Sorza Reyes, or Pam for short.
What do you do?
I write songs about what's going on in my insides in response to what's happening in the outside world. I'm also a freelance museum educator and am lucky enough to say that I love my work for money.
How long have you done it for?
I performed outside of my bedroom for the first time in for a high school battle of the bands night called, “Lounge Night.” I learned two chords, G and Cmaj7, to play "Anyone Else But You" by Kimya Dawson, from the movie "Juno." I had also just finished writing my very first song right in time for that performance. That was 10 years ago, I guess. It was terrifying and I loved it
Why do you do it?
My boyfriend at the time was the lead singer in the band that everyone was psyched about in our teeny tiny high school. I was so jealous of them. I guess I was always a performer (lots of practice with family karaoke parties). I wanted in and so I signed myself up.
Where did you grow up and how does that influence your work?
I grew up in Talavera, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines and in Queens, New York. Both times, I was surrounded by a big, loving family (a total of 11 first cousins on my mom's side). My family is a huge influence in my work in many ways--first, from the amount of financial, emotional, moral support I receive from them, and secondly, from the stories that make up my family's history. A lot of my writing right now digs into my familial relationships and my family's migration to the States.
What project are you working on now or will be working on that you are most excited about?
I'm very excited about my latest release, a song that I wrote for my brother called "New Name" and a music video that I produced in collaboration with him and film director Casey Denaro. The project was partially funded by Queens Council on the Arts. In a documentary-style approach, similar to my latest release "Dear Dreamer," the video features one my favorite couples, Eleanor Batchelder and Fumiko Ohno, whom I met through the Queens Center for Gay Seniors in Jackson Heights. The screening event took place at Sanger Hall in Sunnyside, Queens on National Coming Out Day, October 11.
How did we meet?
We met at the Caffe Vivaldi open mics. And also through the Path Cafe family. I was stunned by your voice and your beautiful balance of positive energy and melancholy melodies. I learned a lot from you and from Tracy Thorne, Niall Connolly, Raye Zaragoza, (the) Valdaniel, Jordan Siwek, Craig Greenberg, David Russell and the list goes on.
What is one hope and dream you have for the next year?
I hope and dream to make some big strides in recording this next album. I've been enjoying the slow process, but am also getting itchy and impatient.
Who is living woman do you most admire, and why?
My mother.
What is your greatest fear?
That I'll never write a song or finish a song ever again. Especially after long dry spells. This is a totally real fear of mine.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I have a Berkey filter. I have the power to turn pool water into drinking water... I think that is true privilege and *extravagance.*
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
An animal that could fly or swim long, incomprehensible distances--like an albatross (10,000 miles in one journey) or a gray whale (10,000-12,000 miles).
How would you like to die?
I'd like to die having lived doing what I love.
What is your mantra these days?
My brother got this one in my head: "everything is inevitable."
When you walk into a bar, what do you typically order?
Seltzer water... or tea, if they have hot toddies on the menu.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Snooze and pet my doggy Blue.
What is the last thing you searched for on Google?
Vegan food near me.
What's the wallpaper on your phone and/or computer?
A blue wall spray painted with yellow paint that reads, "Call your mother." I came across it while on vacation with my family and wanted to remind myself of that good, warm, feeling of being surrounded by the people you love and love you right back. Also a good reminder to call and say, "Hi, how are you, I love you."
What's the first CD you bought? What’s the last CD you bought (or streamed)?
First CD I bought was some Simple Plan album(s)--embarrassing. The last album I streamed was The Highwomen’s self-titled release.
What toppings do you like on your pizza?
Double Zero, is a somewhat fancy, very yummy vegan gluten free place. I like everything they have on their menu.
What is your favorite emoji?
The guiltily smiling one. Or the one with the sweat on its forehead.
What is your guilty pleasure television show?
Friends.. the earlier seasons, but really, all of them
If you could listen to only one song for the rest of the year, what would it be?
"Everything is Free" by Gillian Welch.
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Pam Reyes is an independent singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Pam writes songs to make sense of the world around her and to understand her many identities. As a first-generation immigrant, recently naturalized American citizen, queer woman—and more simply, as a human with feelings—Pam explores themes of love, loss, and politics. Her performances are an exercise in collective vulnerability. Her frank, bordering on dark, songwriting meets her stirring voice in a coupling that oscillates between dissonance and consonance.
Pam also hangs out here: Website | Instagram | Facebook