Press Kit
...Austero, Sgt. Papers, Mint Field, Belafonte Sensacional, Diles Que No Me maten, and others are making some of the most inspired music at the moment, getting airplay at stations in the U.S. such as KEXP. Some of these bands have recorded with legends such as Steve Albini and Jack Endino, and labels like Sub Pop and Suicide Squeeze are releasing their music.
JACKY BOY
PRESS RELEASE
28/03/2025
... Austero, Sgt. Papers, Mint Field, Belafonte Sensacional,Diles Que No Me maten, and others are making some of themost inspired music at the moment, getting airplay at stations in the U.S. such as KEXP. Some of these bands have recordedwith legends such as Steve Albini and Jack Endino, and labelslike Sub Pop and Suicide Squeeze are releasing their music.
- ROLLING STONE, USA.
Austero Releases “Jacky Boy,” the First Single from Their Second Album "Medio Camino".
From the heart of the desert in Chihuahua, Mexico, Austero returns with force in “Jacky Boy,” the first glimpse of their upcoming sophomore album Medio Camino. This new single reaffirms the band’s commitment to an honest musical proposal—charged with energy, distortion, and emotional depth.
The recording of “Jacky Boy” carries a particularly emotional weight: it was made in the home of Rafael and Robi’s maternal grandparents, who have since passed away. Those walls, once witnesses to unforgettable moments during their childhood, became the intimate setting where the band aimed to capture not just a sound, but a memory. The echo of that home—warm and full of history—can be felt in every note.
“Jacky Boy” is a modern homage to the sound of ‘90s alternative rock, channeling the spirit of bands like Weezer, but with a fresh perspective looking toward the present. With infectious melodies, vibrant guitars, and intimate lyrics, Austero crafts a song about loss, memories, and redemption, wrapped in a powerful and solid production.
The band—Rafael Ruiz (vocals, guitar), Robi Ruiz (drums, piano), and Luis Perea (bass, vocals)—has built a consistent and compelling trajectory. Their debut album was recorded by the legendary Steve Albini, known for his work with Nirvana and Pixies. Austero has also shared the stage with major international rock figures, including Mondo Generator, the project of Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Dwarves), and have captured the attention of prominent Mexican rock icons such as Flip Tamez from Jumbo and Iñaki from Fobia.
In a music landscape dominated by fleeting trends and predictable formulas, Austero stands strong as an authentic band. They don’t follow fads or pretend to be something they’re not. Their sound is born from a genuine need to express what they feel—with honesty, distortion, and imperfection. No formulas, no tricks. Austero seeks to connect with their audience without filters, without embellishments, through the raw force of the real.
VISUAL POETRY
The music video for Jacky Boy was conceived, directed, and produced by César Rosas, based on an original concept developed specifically to accompany the emotional narrative of the single. His vision goes beyond a visual collaboration—it’s a creative extension of the band’s universe, crafted with authenticity and a cinematic lens.
Rosas has a solid and multifaceted background in the audiovisual industry. He has worked as a producer alongside renowned director Sophie Muller on projects for artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Marina. Muller is a key figure in the international music video scene, responsible for iconic works for Shakira, Blur, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Garbage, and No Doubt.
In Latin America, César Rosas has been the producer and creative mind behind videos such as Echo Park by Ximena Sariñana and Sed by División Minúscula. He has also worked on visual productions for Románticos de Zacatecas (Si tú estás lejos, Es por ti), Apolo (La Noche), Andrea Franz (Baby Come Close), and directed Beautiful by AJ Dávila.
His work extends beyond music—he was part of the production team for the feature film Los Chidos, directed by Omar Rodríguez-López, presented by Robert Rodríguez at SXSW and recognized at the Tribeca Film Festival.
This music video is neither an isolated project nor a random experiment. It reflects César Rosas’ ongoing commitment to musical projects that resonate with authenticity and power. His vision brings narrative depth, visual aesthetics, and emotional sensitivity to the launch of Jacky Boy.
BIO
In the heart of Chihuahua, México, the rock band Austero continues to promote their self-titled debut album, originally released on vinyl in 2021. Since 2022, they’ve graced stages across cities like CDMX, Estado de México, Veracruz, Xalapa, Tijuana, and, of course, their hometown of Chihuahua. Their growing fanbase revels in the raw, unapologetic sound of rock that Austero delivers.
Robi’s Thunderous Beats and Luis & Rafael’s Sonic Canvas
Onstage, Austero unleashes a powerful energy that electrifies audiences. Robi’s thunderous drumming forms the backbone, while Luis and Rafa weave intricate guitar riffs, pulsating basslines, and captivating vocals. Their live shows are explosive, filled with movement, and charged with emotion. Each performance is a rollercoaster of surprises, jumps, and unforgettable moments.
Dual Rock Persona
Austero straddles the line between two rock worlds. They’ve been compared to iconic '90s bands like Nirvana and even (The) Melvins. But Austero doesn’t stop there. Their repertoire includes both hard-hitting anthems and softer, introspective tunes. Accompanied by effects, sequences, and a rich tapestry of sounds, they take their audience on a journey from one extreme to another. Every moment becomes part of the experience—a visceral connection between band and crowd.
2025: New Music on the Horizon
After a short but intense tour dates with Nick Oliveri's Mondo Generator (Kyuss, QOTSA, Dwarves) Austero headed into the studio to produce their sophomore album. This follow-up record will release in 2025 with the lead single premiering in February 2025, along with a music video directed by Desiré Lopez and produced by César Rosas.
Preview the new single 'Jacky Boy' here.
ÁLBUM DEBUT
AUSTERO LP
Amidst the pandemic in 2021, the rock band Austero launched their self-titled debut album across digital platforms and vinyl. Collaborating with Steve Albini, they captured the band’s abrasive sound on analog tape, a true reflection of their live performances. Austero has been actively promoting their music, harnessing the power of streaming platforms, social media, interviews, blogs, podcasts, and radio. This strategic approach carved their path onto editorial playlists on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon. Parallel to the album, the band released a documentary on their YouTube channel, spotlighting their journey at Electrical Audio studios in Chicago.
ESPEJO EP
Austero, the emerging band from Mexico, takes pride in presenting the reinvention of their acclaimed EP “Espejo,” now enriched with a bonus track titled “Mental.” This release is a bold reissue of their music, featuring a fresh mix by Jesse Cannon (known for The Dillinger Escape Plan, Brand New, Basement), reflecting the growth and maturity achieved over the past two years. With a technical deep dive in interpretation, each note and chord resonates with a clarity and precision that only collaboration, experience, and passion can forge.
“Mental” is not just an addition; it’s the heart of this renewed project. Recorded alongside other unreleased tracks in the house of their late grandparents, it’s a tribute to the roots and love that have propelled Austero forward. “Espejo + Mental” is more than music; it’s a cultural expression, part of a vibrant underground scene that captures international attention, as evidenced by a recent article in Rolling Stone USA. This EP stands as a testament to the power of music to connect cultures and generations, an echo that resonates beyond borders, something shared and affirmed in Austero’s chat with Butch Vig during their latest show in CDMX.
(Estreno: 4/12/2024)
AUSTERO IN THE MAKING: Recording with Steve Albini (Documentary)
LIVE
#WARPProudlyPresents: Austero
Austero en Vivo: La Bestia Music Inc. Mexico City
VIDEOS
Austero | CALMA (K4RM4)
Austero | Ego
Press
National and International Press
"This trio from Chihuahua, Mexico, loves to play with a bit of dissonance and plenty of melodic screaming, which shines through in many of the songs of this collection. With nods to Nirvana and The Melvins in their sound, this is perhaps the most retro recording Albini did in the last few years of his life — in the best possible way."
"Austero and others are making some of the most inspired music at the moment, getting airplay at stations in the U.S., such as KEXP. Some of these bands have recorded with legends such as Steve Albini and Jack Endino, and labels like Sub Pop and Suicide Squeeze are releasing their music.
Whenever I was asked about new Mexican rock bands I didn't know what to say. Not because they don't exist, but because I hadn't heard one that caught my attention. I thought that national rock was happening in other areas, especially in terms of attitude and daring: in some songs by Juan Cirerol or El Muertho de Tijuana. But at the moment, whenever I'm asked about a rock group that rocks my world, I know what to say: Austero.
