Throughout his twelve-year music career Javier Mendoza has been working hard and patiently waiting for his big break. Born in Virginia, raised in Spain and now living in St. Louis Missouri, Javier continues to create and perform his amazing music. His creativity and perseverance are easy to see in his evolution from a songwriter for Warner Chappell in 1996 to a full time singer, songwriter, and performer today.
Javier has received many honors throughout his career. He was a finalist in the Independent Music Awards 2007, won best St. Louis World Music and Pop Artist 2000-2004, became a Budweiser True Music artist in 2005, had songs featured on MTV’s Real World, has multiple magazine features and live performances on several TV shows. He has also worked with some of the best musicians in the region and shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Blues Traveler, Everclear, Los Lobos, and The Roots.
With 8 albums spanning ten years Javier demonstrates that he knows where he comes from and where he is going. On each CD he combines new influences, new musical inspirations and life experiences with the common thread of hope for the future. His dedication to creating new and different material and his passion for live performance keeps bringing the fans back again and again. Whether he’s playing for 10 people or a crowd of 10,000, Javier makes each show unforgettable. The physical and emotional energy he delivers is truly amazing and must be experienced to be believed.
The approaching 10th anniversary of his first album Tinta y Papel and reflection on his twelve year journey have inspired Javier to begin work on his 9th studio CD. Rather than focusing primarily on the future he is focusing on “Now” and how incredible the journey of life can be if you let it. For Javier living in the “Now” is about personal growth, working with great musicians, new fans, long time fans, and welcoming all that life has to offer without hesitation. When the big record labels come knocking Javier will be ready but until then, he plans to make the most of every second.
- Readers Choice Tied Winner of 2009 Best Male Vocalist in River Front Times Music Awards
- Performs National Anthem at Home Opening Game for the St. Louis Rams in 2009
- Voted One of Colleges Hottest Artists for 2009 by Campus Magazine
- Finalist in the 2007 Independent Music Awards
- Won KDHX Audience Award for best Latin Artist in Saint Louis' 2006 Music Awards
- Nominated for Best Vocalist on the 2006 Independent Online Music Awards
- 2005 Budweiser True Music Artist
- Voted Best World and Pop Artist in St. Louis 2000-2004
- Has had 7 songs featured on MTVs Real World 2000-2005
- Has played with The Roots, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, G-Love, Willie Nelson, The Smithereens and more
- Has played over 100 colleges in over 20 states & is a regular in the U.S. club scene
- Was a semifinalist at the Independent Music World Series Conference in 2003
- 'Join The Party' was voted one of MECA Conference's best songs in Chicago in 2004
- Has performed at the Mid Atlantic, Northern Plains and North East NACA conferences
- Former Warner-Chappell songwriter
- Performed for Pope John Paul II in 1999
“I believe in growth, and although I can be reluctant to change, it’s what makes me thrive personally and musically”, Javier says, “ ‘You’ is change. It is a step forward for we can’t look back. It is who I am right now. It’s where I stand... in motion.”
Under “Red Pill Records”, a small St. Louis based Indy label working to develop new amazing emerging artists, and under the production of talented Jacob Detering, Javier has stretched his musical gifts to where he has always aspired but has never been able to mainly due to budget and time constraints. “I always look at major signed acts and marvel at the fact that after touring they take time off to write and then record and then tour again. When you are an independent artist, you have to wear all hats at once because there’s no one funding the machine. It’s all up to you to keep performing to bring in money to survive. It’s difficult to stay creative in those circumstances.” Javier says. However, Javier has managed to finish his 8th full-length studio release and this one is a gem. “I finally hear my influences all over the place: From U2 and Radio Head, to Miguel Rios, Mecano, Cafe Tacuba, Floyd and Buckley.” Javier says, “but I also hear my signature in every song. It’s me but all grown up.”
Born in Virginia and raised in Spain and Germany, of Spanish mother and Mexican father, and now residing in St. Louis, MO, Javier’s biggest challenge has been to adapt to his surroundings. “Music is a diary, a description of the journey taken. That is why my style has so many colors. My life has been a rainbow in the storm. For better or for worst, that is who I am”, Javier says.
Mendoza also credits this amazing new recording effort to the great musicians who have helped shape the songs like Dave Aholt, R. Scott Bryan, Joe Meyer, Eric Grossman and others for having helped shape this album into the wonderful piece it is. But it was Jacob who helped Javier truly find his way.
However, Javier’s greatest feat in this new work is what he set out to do before even starting to write the songs. “I have always wanted to release an album completely in two different languages”. Javier says. And he has done it. “You” will also be released as “Tú”, a completely separate CD with the same songs, but in Spanish.
As a very young writer Javier was signed to a publishing contract with Warner Chappell in Miami. There he began writing songs for artists such as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Robles, Rosario. He developed a strong bicultural style writing in English and in Spanish. Since then Javier has been able to blend both languages beautifully. “Music transcends language. At least it should.” Javier says, “Before I could speak a word of English my two favorite bands were Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. I did not understand a thing. It was pure energy. I strive for my songs to reach people lyrically but also through its raw power”.
With the new CDs “You” and “Tú”, to be released November 14 of 2009, Red Pill plans on introducing Javier to old and new audiences and fans with songs that define and redefine Mendoza’s past, present and future. He plans to tour the globe to deliver his great songs and message, electrifying the stage with his honest and relentless power.
