Eastside is home to many of San José’s greatest musicians, painters, poets, songwriters and more. In efforts to uplift those various artists, we’ve launched our Artist Profile series for EASTSIDE Magazine. The mission of EASTSIDE Magazine is to not only amplify the many voices of East San José but offer the space to share their story and how their home shaped their identity. We are firm in our belief that Eastside is the heart of San José and provides much of the rich cultural diversity that our city is widely known for. Introducing our Artist Profile series, we have Mathew Gonzales, aka “Philthy Dronez,” a musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in East San José.
Q1: Tell us a little about yourself, your upbringing, and your roots in East Side San José.
My name is Mathew Gabriel Gonzales. I’m a multi-instrumentalist and producer. I’m part of a project called Suenatron, I have my own project called Philthy Dronez which has a bunch of other stuff under it. It’s a collective. Suenatron is it’s own band. I’m a guitarist and producer for that band. I’ve been playing music for 22 years. I grew up on the Eastside on Alvin and Tully right by where the Chucky Cheese is (or was). Back then, it was a crazy neighborhood.
Q2: How did living in East San José impact your way of living? How did it shape your identity?
There was obviously a lot of poverty. It was tough. However, everyone was really tight knit. It was a great upbringing. But the way I saw it was just people trying to survive. It was a lot of kids, we had a lot of friends. Also you know what was cool about my neighborhood though? The gangsters would not put any of that stuff in front of us. Any of the violence or stuff like that. They would do that, but not there.
Q3: When you were first getting into music, what motivated you to pursue it professionally and what continues to drive that passion?
I never got into music until I was about 14. My grandma B, she was an amazing singer. She’s the one who first told me to play the guitar. She died in ‘99 and that summer I didn’t put the guitar down.But you know, as an artist, you always get that “do you have a real job?” People look at it as a hobby. My dad was an electrical engineer and even he just didn’t get it. But then I started hustling, making moves and eventually I started going on tours, playing at huge live shows. I would be on the TV shows and radio channels he was listening to. Once he saw that, he was like “Oh! This is real.” It took a long time for him to come around, but now he’s like my number one fan.
Q3: What led you to create music, specifically Cumbia?
Growing up, my mom showed me artists like the Beatles and Santana while my dad showed me a lot of Mexican music like Banda and Cumbia. My dad really likes Cumbia. I started making Cumbia around 2009, once I left a Reggae band. From there, it was a wrap. I immersed myself in that type of music. It’s given me nothing but good things for me. And why I love Cumbia is why I love the Blues. It comes from like, a place of despair. Cumbia was made because in Colombia the slaves had shackles on their feet and that mirrored the way they danced. It derives from a place of rebellion and to emerge from the bad things that were happening around them. I love that kind of music because it comes from those origins of liberation.
Q4: Cumbia has a distinctive and unifying sound. You can’t help but move and bump into those close around you once the beat starts. Do you see the Cumbia and the overall Latin music scene change, given the pandemic?
Right now where the Latin music movement is.. It’s blown up already with Reggaetton But there are also these great artists coming out in Cumbia right now, especially in the Bay Area. Bay Area bands are pushing the edge. They are taking different sounds and fusing it together and making it cool. And that’s what I’m trying to do with Cumbia. I’m trying to infuse this West Coast Bay Area Funk with Bay Area Gangster Rap. Like Tower Power or Doobie Brothers type sound and mixing it with Cumbia.
Q5: The arts sector has been hit hard, especially artists of color. How well do you think San Jos is supporting its artists during this time?
It’s tough out here, there’s not a lot of platforms out here. But with places like the Ritz and the Art Boutiki, it has opened up a lot more. As far as San Jos is concerned, it’s also been a strong DIY community. A lot of houses have opened their garages and basements to make a platform for themselves. They said we’re not going to sit here and twiddle our thumbs. To hell with that! We’re going to do our own thing, guerilla style. That’s what I love about San Jos artists. They don’t give up and they’re GOOD.
Q6: Do you feel a sense of unity from other artists in the Eastside? What do you think Eastside will be going forward?
I don’t think the Eastside is going anywhere. The Eastside is always going to be the Eastside. Coming from the Eastside, the way I see us going forward, Latinos going forward, we just have to be unified. Lead by example I guess. It’s what I try to do too. Especially with music. I try to lead by example.. And to not be a dick.
Q7: Last question: Picture yourself back in March 2020, the start of shutdown. What advice would you give to yourself? What words of encouragement would you offer to 2020 Mat to keep going?
My advice to myself will be to save your money.
Amidst the uncertainties and anxieties that came from the hard hits of the pandemic, we have grown stronger -not only as individuals but as a community. Stories like Mathew’s serve as a reminder of the power of hope and resilience. And soon, when we go back to our local music venues, we will all rejoice in the power of music.
