Asalto | Courtesy photo
Rising Tejano band Asalto has released two new singles, “Casi Te Olvido” and “Pa’ Otro Mundo,” giving fans a first taste of their upcoming seven-track EP. Frontman Jordan Rodriguez recently sat down with Tejano Nation Radio host Romeo to share details about the project, the recording process, and the ambitious visual storytelling that will accompany the music.
A Rapid-Fire Recording Session at Redwood Studios
Asalto’s new music was co-produced by Rodriguez and Grammy winner Anthony Perez at AJ Castillo’s Redwood Studios in San Marcos, Texas. However, the journey to finding the right recording studio wasn’t easy.
“We couldn’t find anywhere to record. Of course, there’s plenty of places to record, but we needed somewhere that could give us really good quality,” Rodriguez explained.
He eventually connected with Anthony Perez at Redwood Studios. When AJ Castillo himself heard about the project, he was impressed by Asalto’s preparation and efficiency.
“We were there a little bit less than 24 hours. And I’m talking from skeletons all the way to the final product before mixing and mastering in 24 hours. We did seven songs,” Rodriguez recalled. “AJ walked in and was like, ‘Dude, this is unbelievable, Jordan.’”
Rodriguez credits the band’s work ethic for making such a rapid recording session possible. “We work our butts off to be where we are,” he said.
A Cinematic Visual Experience
Beyond the music, Asalto is bringing a unique visual element to the project. The band has teamed up with Mike and Julia Lopez of Element, well-known for their work on music videos for artists like Michael Salgado.
“I had this vision, but I really didn’t know how I wanted to go about it,” Rodriguez admitted. “Right now, we’re going to have three music videos, but eventually, it’s going to be one long music video—seven songs tied together like a short film.”
The first music video, released on March 27, already showcases this cinematic approach. “It’s almost 10 minutes long,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not just a single music video that jumps straight into the song. We created a short story to connect the whole EP together.”
The visuals will have a vintage speakeasy vibe, featuring the band in a social setting. “Some of the guys are playing poker, some are smoking cigars, just having a good time and interacting,” Rodriguez described. “It really all ties together like a short film.”
Asalto — Casi Te Olvido x Pa’ Otro Mundo (Official Video)
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Pushing the Boundaries of Tejano Music
Rodriguez acknowledged that Asalto’s new EP takes risks by blending different genres, something that might not sit well with Tejano purists.
“I’m sure some Tejanos are going to turn around and say, ‘Man, that’s not Tejano,’” he said. “But we did some different stuff. We got some bachata, some corrido tumbado—like the Fuerza Regida sound. We wanted to change it up.”
For Rodriguez, this genre-mixing is true to Tejano culture. “Tejanos listen to everything. Jazz, rock, country, classic country, Carin León—all of it. That’s the way we are in this band,” he explained. “So, we tried to bring a little bit of all that into this EP.”
Exciting Collaborations and What’s Next
The EP will feature at least one confirmed collaboration, “Hashtag Tú y Yo” with Cristina Salinas, former singer with Jimmy Gonzalez Y Grupo Mazz. “Her vocals are phenomenal, super phenomenal,” Rodriguez said.
A second collaboration is in the works, though it remains uncertain. “If we can’t finalize it, the world might actually hear Jordan Rodriguez rap for the first time,” he joked.
Industry Recognition and Future Prospects
The new music has already caught the attention of industry veterans, including René Martinez from legendary band Intocable.
“During spring break, we went down to McAllen, and we got to run into ‘El Tio’ René,” Rodriguez said. “Believe it or not, he took the time to sit down and listen to our whole EP.”
The response from Martinez was encouraging: “He told me, ‘Mijo, it doesn’t matter how much I say it’s awesome. If the crowd doesn’t grab it, it doesn’t matter. But you created something new and fresh, and it sounds amazing.’”
Rodriguez sees this as a huge win for the band. “To have a legend like him sit there, listen to your EP, and give you advice and compliments—that’s already an honor,” he said.
Poised For Major Impact
With the release of “Casi Te Olvido” and “Pa’ Otro Mundo” generating buzz, and a full EP accompanied by an ambitious visual project on the way, Asalto is poised to make a major impact.
“This is something new and fresh,” Rodriguez said. “I’m really excited about what we have coming.”
Stay tuned for more from Asalto as they continue pushing the boundaries of Tejano music.
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