Latin pop trio from Mission release first album, music video

In crafting the 12-track debut album Bendicion, Zeri aimed for a balance between accessibility and honesty. Zeri Ramirez, the Latin pop/rock trio’s lead singer and namesake, said his band wanted to entice fans with proven pop melodies and song structure. They also wanted to honor their own independent musical interests. Zeri loves Coheed and Cambria, the rare band that has success with both the indie crowd and mainstream listeners.

“We learned how to become commercial, yet still remain independent,” Ramirez said during an interview promoting the album, which is currently available on iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody. “We were true to ourselves, but we didn’t make something uncommercial or too freaky.”

They also didn’t sign with a major label. He says doing so would forfeit the group’s control over the music, message and even the name.

The Mission-based band has produced and released the album largely without corporate help. They aim to win a legion of grassroots fans that will love them for the music, not for being a label-packaged darling of the moment.

In keeping with that, Zeri will play an album release party this Sunday in McAllen. The show will happen at 7 p.m. at The Ice House, located at 1100 Austin Ave. across from the Chase Tower.

The band has started building a fanbase throughout the United States and Mexico. They’ve released music online, and they’ve recorded a couple of videos.

They have some hardcore followers in Monterrey. Playing the album release show outside the Valley, however, never crossed their minds.

Ramirez, guitarist Hector Arizpe and drummer Alex Lopez all grew up in Mission.

“We belong to the Valley,” Ramirez said. “Hopefully we can take what’s here and spread it out.”

Zeri writes and records all its music exclusively in Spanish. The lead singer says it’s his preferred language, and he feels more comfortable expressing his thoughts in it.

While it might not be the easiest way to win fans, it’s honest and true to who the band is. And that’s what Zeri is all about.

• CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT ZERI

Zeri CD Release Party
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
WHERE: Ice House, 1100 Austin Ave., McAllen
COST: $8
ONLINE: http://www.myspace.com/zerimusik
CALL: (956) 213-8260

Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. He can be reached at (956) 683-4447.