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Levi Platero says he thinks he had his first “real” paying gig when he was 13 at the Gathering of Nations, back when it used to be hosted at The Pit. He’s been playing guitar since he was 9, and he’s 33 today, so the dude has chops. But as the son of a preacher, he wasn’t allowed to listen to the devil’s music as a child. Fortunately, like anyone growing up in the age of iPods, he was able to sneak his friends’ music onto his device. There must have been some really good stuff in those playlists, because it helped inspire Platero’s career as one of New Mexico’s most well-known blues guitarists and singer-songwriters.
He says being a professional musician isn’t how it used to be back in the day. The whole record label thing is gone. Everybody’s out there doing their own thing, being their own promoter, manager and booking agent, and he’s no different. A bluesman of all trades, so to speak, Platero is humble about his obvious talent, downplays how good of a singer he is and describes himself as introverted in public. But if you get him talking the blues, he has some impressive experiences to share and a ton of credentials. He’s also good at describing his craft and his writing process. His catalogue shows he has put in the work to earn his career as one of the most prolific performers in New Mexico’s music scene. And so are his buddy Jacob Shije — who you will probably see playing guitar or bass in his live band these days — and his cousin Royce Platero who backs him on drums. Damn those Plateros can jam.
Will you describe your sound for us?
I never know how to describe it. I just know that it’s blues guitar — like Hendrix-y, Stevie Ray Vaughan stuff — over progressive blues rock. On this new album, I took a lot of influences from British blues. British blues is probably my favorite along with Texas Blues. There’s real cool guitar riffing in blues songs and hooks, and that’s kind of what I have. But at the same time, when it comes down to the choruses that I write, they’re really progressive, and they’re not, like, traditional blues-type songs. When it gets to the chorus, there are more singer-songwriter vibes. I’ve always liked epic guitar solos on certain songs, but for recording it’s different. If I’m making the track in the studio or something, I make sure it’s tasty, but it’s not too long. Live, it’s totally different. I can stretch that thing as long as I want.
I’m not a singer who plays guitar, I’m a guitar player that sings. So my strength is in my playing, but sometimes I shy away from that, because I want to polish the other side of the talent that I have. Put me in a good jam, and I can do some cool stuff. But I know solos are not everything. Back in the day when I was first learning guitar, all I would listen to was Van Halen, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and I was only listening to these guitar parts, you know? Even with Hendrix stuff. One of my favorite songs was “And the Wind Cries Mary,” but it was because of that guitar solo, and that’s all I cared about without knowing that that was probably one of the greatest poetic songs I’ve ever heard anybody write. “A broom is drearily sweeping up the broken pieces of yesterday’s life.” It’s so freaking beautiful, right?
What are your favorite venues to play and why?
The Rhythm Room in Phoenix has always been my favorite venue to go play. It’s a pretty legendary blues joint that’s been there for ages, and I remember I got to play there with Indigenous. I like all the venues in Albuquerque I’ve been able to play. I like working with the guys who do Sunshine, Launchpad, El Rey and even the Kimo. I love all those venues. They’re good people who work behind those venues and work together in those circles, so I don’t necessarily have a favorite.
I’ve had some good festivals and one of them has to be the one with Blues Traveler up in Niagara Falls. And that was cool. We even played right there by the falls, and I got to play on stage with John Popper for a finale song. I was a kid — like 16 or 17 years old at the time — and it’s funny because he was like, “Oh man, you’re fucking badass,” and then he he gave me his harmonica. I still have it.
What are your lyrics about?
I’m still learning how to write a little bit more, but some of them have to do with love, heartache, addiction, or even self examining, and inner turmoil. I just kind of write about what I’m feeling, what I’m kind of going through. Right now I’m trying to write a song about about this story I heard in Alaska. It’s funny, but the title is called “Spaghetti Joyride.”
I have some really meaningful songs about not giving up and persevering. I have songs about waiting up all night for your other half to come home, because they were missing all night and they never called you. Troubles, trials and tribulations. Situations and situationships. Addiction to alcohol or women or anything, you know?
What bands or genres inspire your music?
There’s a guy named Scott McKeon. He put out a couple solo albums, and he’s British. He’s probably one of my favorite artists, producers, songwriters and guitar players. Another one has to be a band called The Hoax, and they’re British blues too. Jesse Davey is the main guitar guy in the band, and he’s a phenomenal player and tone seeker. And Doyle Bramhall II. He’s a left-handed, upside down player who plays with Eric Clapton. He’s very inspiring to me right now.
And then, of course, I always listen to Hendrix and Stevie [Ray Vaughan] and Robin Trower. Actually, if I’m being honest, I’ve been listening to a lot of Ozzy lately. I listened to all his recent stuff, and I was like, “Man, this guy was a good songwriter.” He was great.
What is the best show you have ever played and why?
I think one of my best and favorite ones would probably be at a show with Los Lonely Boys in Midland, Texas. We were in this auditorium for, I think, like 800 people, and I remember going out there just nervous as hell. These guys didn’t have their bus. They all came up with their families, and they just kind of said, “Hey, what’s up?” and they were there watching our whole show. I remember just feeling on fire that night, and that was pretty cool. The place was sold out and packed, and I remember that crowd completely loving us out there in Texas.
Check out Platero performing “Sunrise Blues” here.
Enjoy a stripped down “Front Porch Session” with the Levi Platero band here.
To prove he had the skills as a youngster, check out a throwback video from over a decade ago with The Plateros (featuring Levi) doing “Without You” here.
His music is pretty easy to find, but cruise his website leviplatero.com for news, bios, and the whole scoop on Platero.
You can jam and purchase his tunes at Levi Platero on Apple Music.
Platero has an album release concert at The Kimo with Chris Dracup on August 23. You can get tickets and learn more about his back story here.