On this episode we're joined by John Mendez (JB) and Jasmine Jew of the Austin-based heavy alternative rock band, Tarantula Mountain. The band recently released their debut full-length album, Virgo Sunday, recorded locally at Antimatter Studios. 
 

The two originally met in their hometown of Brownsville, TX, and later decided to relocate to Austin. A long time music teacher, guitar tech and songwriter, JB was working at Strait music and performing under the name Tombstone Union before he and Jasmine began performing together. After a successful audition (Jasmine first took up the bass with a mere six weeks to learn the instrument before her first gig), the couple-turned-band found their footing playing shows in ATX. Eventually Jasmine took up vocal duties as well, and the band took on the moniker Tarantula Mountain. The duo met their drummer, Marc Coronado (known from his band The Crowned and his videography work) at Austin School of Music. JB and Marc are both instructors for the long running music school, and Jasmine is the director of operations.

We talk about the impressive wall of leather bound books (a new concept to Skunk) behind JB, the origins of the band and their evolution over the past few years, guitar hero and grunge rock influences, the art of teaching and transcribing music, boxing and martial arts, the band's songwriting process and general approach to music, and both Jasmine's and JB visual art. Check out John's original art at http://postdreamism.com. And of course there's Netflix, food preferences, and Bermuda Triangle bands. 

We had some six degrees discoveries on this episode: JB played in a band with long time musical colleague of Skunk, Blaine Matte, and Jasmine is kin to John Jew of Penny Rock Productions, who works with our former guests Budro Partida and Adam Salinas. Penny Rock has done a couple of Tarantula Mountain's music videos.

For more on Tarantula Mountain visit:

Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | 

Thanks for listening!

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