Imagine getting to do the thing you love most with the people you love most every single day of your life. That is exactly what the members of Mesa Riot get to do. For Costa Mesa natives Victor Segovia, Chris Segovia and Robert DiFrancesco, music is on the same priority level as eating, sleeping and breathing.
In two years, the group has come a long way from where they began. After a former stint with music failed, lead singer and guitarist Victor Segovia joined drummer DiFrancesco after meeting him through another band. After their first meeting, the two noticed immediate chemistry and began playing together to pass the time. Eventually, they decided if they could find a bassist, they might be able to start performing again. Sure enough, Victor, a Cal State Long Beach freshman music major, recruited his younger brother Chris Segovia who had never played a bass in his life. After a few months, he learned the ropes and was signed in as the third member of the band.
The group has played hundreds of local shows and venues all over the California coast. Last May, they won time in a professional studio, competing against 40 other bands in front of studio executives, to get their first few songs recorded.
The Daily 49er discussed the band’s success after a performance at the Avalon in Costa Mesa on Saturday night.
Daily 49er: How is it playing music together as best friends?
DiFrancesco: It’s super easy. We just want to play music and there’s nothing better than getting to do it with your best friends everyday. We’re just so comfortable with each other; it’s like we can read each other’s minds when we’re on stage. There’s nothing else like it.
Daily 49er: So, you guys are up-and-coming musicians working just like every other band to stand out and survive in the music industry. How is it constantly competing against other bands, ultimately for the same goal?
Victor Segovia: We respect all the bands we play with and against. Our goal, just like everyone else, is to get noticed, but we [play music] for the fans. It’s nights like this that keep us going and wanting to keep playing.
Daily 49er: How did you come up with Mesa Riot as your name?
Victor Segovia: Costa Mesa is where we’re from and every time we play, it’s like a riot. So it just fits, ‘Mesa Riot.’ We just want to party, make music and have a good. Tha’ts what it’s all about.
Daily 49er: What’s the inspiration behind your music in general? What drives you to keep playing and keep the passion alive?
Victor Segovia: The crowd [drives us.] It’s the fans and hearing people sing our lyrics and seeing them jump around as we play; the vibe, the applause in the end, it’s a great feeling. If we can put a smile on people’s faces, then we’ve done our job.
For more information about Mesa Riot, visit their Myspace at myspace.com/mesariot.
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