INDEPENDENT STREAK
Mavericks enjoying putting out music on their own label
Raul Malo knows that you gotta work while the work is good.
It’s a mantra he’s lived by for more than two decades. It’s also a way of thinking that has helped him navigate the rough waters of the music industry.
As of last year, Malo and The Mavericks have begun to do music on their own terms.
“We’re pretty fortunate to be able to do this,” he says in a recent phone interview. “Now every decision that we make is solely for the benefit of the band.”
The Mavericks are known for combining country music with Latin and rockabilly influences.
Since 1989, the group has released nine studio albums. Its latest album is 2017’s “Brand New Day,” which was released on the band’s record label — Mono Mundo.
The current lineup consists of Malo, Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden.
Malo and crew recently returned from a tour in Europe, where the audiences impressed the band.
“The crowds were over the top,” Malo says. “It was amazing to get to Holland and Germany. At those shows, they were singing to every song from the records. It boggles my mind still to think of how big an impact music has on the world. People are listening to us halfway across the world.”
With the album out almost an entire year, Malo and The Mavericks aren’t slowing down.
In fact, the group is working on a Spanish-language record.
“Oh, we’re also doing a Christmas album,” he says. “Because we’re on our own, it makes it easier to release albums. We find time to work on it. That’s one of the reasons we wanted to make our own label. The ability to take our time and not feel any pressure from the label. We’re on our own release schedule, which gives us time.”
Malo says that for the Spanishlanguage album, the band is using the same process it used for previous albums.
“It’s just a different language,” he says with a laugh. “Creatively, you still have to play to the strengths of the band, while at the same time, pushing the band. Pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone. We’re in a groove right now, and it’s great. Hopefully, the albums will both be out as soon as possible. We’re enjoying the fact of going at our own pace.”