OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

Nebraska could use a healthy dose of Tex-Mex music — and The Last Bandoleros intend on delivering! Following an already incredible lineup, The Last Bandoleros are the next group playing the Mammel Courtyard at the Holland Center on August 14. 

But before you go, learn a little about the band. Derek James of The Last Bandoleros answered some questions for us.

Q: How did the band form?
Derek James: Jerry, Diego and Emilio are all from San Antonio, Texas. I'm from New York, where Jerry moved years ago, and he's the bridge between all of us. We spent the first couple years as a band flying back and forth to write and rehearse. Now we all live in Nashville, and the commute is way better.

Q: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?
DJ:  It's a whole lotta energy and harmonies, with a mix of country, rock and Latin flavor.  Think Beatles meets the Eagles meets Dwight Yoakam meets Oasis. That's a lot to chew on, but we think it tastes pretty darn good. But you haven't really experienced our sound fully until you've seen us live.

Q: How has your sound changed over time?
DJ: We're all music lovers through and through, so everyone's always bringing new ideas and inspiration to the table. We love seeing where the music takes us.  Lately we've been co-writing with an amazing bunch of Nashville veterans, and it's been awesome collaborating in a new way.

Q: What’s your favorite way to prep for a performance?
DJ: The brothers, Diego and Emilio, stretch each other’s fingers. Then we all put our hands in the middle and do a little preshow cheer that’s different every night depending on where we are. Something like "Omaha rules!"

Q: What music have you been listening to on your free time?
DJ: Tom Petty, Phoebe Bridgers, Brothers Osborne, Bahamas to name a few…it’s an endless shuffle on our playlists.