Who We A.R.E

A few weeks ago I did a shoot for the d.j. group called We A.R.E. I could go on for days about these guys. They are incredible! My sister Promise wrote story on them for The Epigraph (see former post) and I’ve been debating on whether or not to post the entire article here or not. I think it turned out pretty good. So if you’re up for a good read and have the time, I encourage you to take a moment and read about these guys story, where they’ve come from and a look at where they are going.

Yucaipa High School’s own senior Ernie Aguirre is part of a new DJ sensation likely to become one of socals most sought after entertainment groups

It is late afternoon on a reasonably peaceful day in Yucaipa. We A.R.E. are clustered in a small, one bedroom addition to their medium sized mission style house, as they prepare to execute a private performance to celebrate their most recent success. A mild, gusty wind approaches from outside, blowing from an indefinite direction, as Ernie Aguirre, a YHS senior as well as the youngest of the group, leans forward over a table full of an organized frenzy of cd’s, mixers, and cords to quickly shut the door. Light seeps in from the one, angularly placed window as it too is adjusted to a secure closure as the pulsating glow from their own light display takes over, illuminating the room with a flush of changing colors. As they start to mix their electro inspired music, a sound overflowing with a frothy, hook-laden fluidity spills from the speakers. Stephanie Maclis, girlfriend to Ernie and renowned net worker for the group leans across the small bed, iced water in hand, sipping occasionally, as she watches them, intently nodding her head to the pulsating beat as she smiles and speaks, “They are really good, aren’t they?”

The Aguirre brothers, known as the DJ group We A.R.E., first emerged back in 2003 when Alex, 25, and the oldest of the brothers, rightfully referred to as the “Song Master”, first started attending techno raves and festivals. “It was all about the music, said Alex, “I was really into the whole scene─the dancing, the excitement─ everybody was so energized.”

Inspired by Alex’s newfound musical concentration, Ramiro, 21, and the second oldest of the Aguirre brothers, as well as eighteen year old Ernie soon followed ensue, and after about a year of endless festivals, shows, and weekend parties, they soon became stimulated to create what they ultimately enjoyed.

“We were all sitting around one day, (in this room actually),listening to music, when one of us─I think it was Alex─ finally had the idea of buying some CDJAYS,” said Ernie, “So we did. We bought one, and a mixer, and started messing around. The rest is history.”

As the brothers started playing at local house parties soon after, they soon started getting compliments, applaud, and among others─ a high demand. “All I remember is everyone going crazy, “ said Alex. “We had only been playing about a year and half, and we were already booked locally almost every weekend.” As the knowledge of the musical experience started to grow within We A.R.E. as they began to expand from local parties into actual locations and raves, venues such as “The Cave”, the prestigious “Club Cinespace” in LA, and festivals such as “One Self” took a sudden interest in their exclusive sound.

Inspired and re energized by influences such as Carl Cox, Daft Punk, Cascade, and Benny Benassi, the brothers mix a unique sound of the genres of Electro, House, Minimal, and Progressive Tech to create a dramatically serene sound filled with throbbing beats which serve to guide the beat of the music into an intensely concentrated vibe. Although there is a great amount of teamwork and close collaboration that goes into the integration of the sound as well as transitions, We A.R.E. is inimitable as they each take turns mixing while the other two brothers work together to pick the next CD anddiscuss strategy. Each brother brings their own sense of individualism to the group as means of producing a distinctive sound. “Everyone brings a unique aspect to the group, because we all have different genre preferences,” says Ernie, “I will give off my energy, and then my brothers will give off theirs. This way we can attract more people in our time frame.

Noting his sound as more “dancy”, Ernie admits that he focuses mainly on the crowd at hand. “My sound is─well, you would bob your head at least. I know how to make people dance.”

In contrast, Alex counts his sound as being harder, as it is more of a technical electro which lends itself to more aggressive tracks with intensity, while Ramiro’s sound is more of a “constant dance”, yet with less distortion and a nod to tribal rhythm.

As the brothers work together to create their distinctive vibe, the relationship that they have with each other ultimately effects the outcome of every performance, “We have a lot of support within the group,” says Ernie, “everywhere we go, as brothers, we have each others back.”

Although We A.R.E. have had their share of smooth sets where every calculated movement and preparation before hand has worked to instill their sense of calm in an atmosphere filled with movement and chaos, there are a couple of rare occasions where teamwork has ultimately come into play. “There was one time that we were playing at our first actual Rave, Projekt 3D, where we were opening for real artists, “says Ernie, “and we thought we would have a lame crowd. We weren’t even on the main stage, so we just started mixing like we normally do. After a couple of minutes, we looked up and realized that there was a crowd. So, I turned to my brothers and asked, ‘What do we do now?’ And they just kind of shrugged. We were all nervous, but we kept mixing.” Soon after, We A.R.E. was asked to close, and the owner of the venue even came out and started videotaping for promotional purposes. “I just thought, ‘Wow’,” said Ramiro, “Here we were being filmed, everyone loves our transitions, and they are calling out our names. Hearing that was just─wow. We didn’t even know how to react.”

Watching the brothers perform with an arsenal sound layered purposively and lavishly with electro beats, it is hard to accept the fact that this is not what they have been doing all along. “In reality, we have only been going at it for about three years, if even that,” said Alex, “It is hard to believe we have had this much success.”

The truth is, the electronic scene is suffering in the Inland Empire, if not in most of the United States. European nations count the genre as one of their homegrown staples, yet here, many people have refused to embrace it. One of the main problems is the fact that most of the people that go to clubs, raves, and festivals are very much not apart of the music scene, but more looking at being a part of the drama and prospect of the situation, allowing it to be a rarity to run into a group of people who are much into the passion of the music. One of the main aspirations of the group is to spread this love of a distinct genre. “Here, there is little if any electronic scene,” said Stephanie, “but the boys with help of a couple of production companies based out of San Bernadino and LA, are trying to change that.”

Recently Insomniac Productions, a company based in Los Angeles that throws music festivals such as the acclaimed “E.D.C.” and “Lovefest”, have contacted WeA.R.E. hoping to collaborate with the sole desire of expanding the electronic scene throughout the Inland Empire. A resident DJ stint at The Hudson in San Bernardino also comes into play as part of the team-up, as well as the promise to play “Infected Mushroom” in July. As the group also gears up to start producing actual song tracks in San Bernardino at the Nitro2go studio with DJ Mr. Books, it is no wonder why everyone wants a piece of the group that has truly begun to embody the nightlife of Southern California, and there is no obscurity to this fact. The infections, pulsating-pound and perfunctory progression of their unique music offers compelling proof: the music bears the unmistakable earmarks of what is traditionally a House and Trance musical mojo, yet they still retain what is becoming distinctly their own genre. “Our music has one message, “said Ramiro, “whether you are in Japan, Argentina, Mexico, or Australia─you can dance to it. Enjoy it. You can’t be angry or sad while you listen to it, you have to be happy to dance to it.” We A.R.E. universal.