We’re two guys from Chicago who started this little band back in 2010. We’re very passionate about the music we write, and we really don’t know what we’d be doing with our lives if music didn’t fuel our hearts.
OUR STORY
Ivan and I knew each other for a few years before actually meeting up and jamming one day. I was working on my solo music here in Chicago and Ivan had just moved to the United States from Mexico. He was actually in a successful touring band who was signed to Sony records, but he left it behind to find a new music scene in the states. He moved to Chicago and that’s where our story sort of begins.
I had an ad up on Craigslist in search of a drummer for my solo project, and Ivan 
responded to my ad, saying he loved my song “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” and that he’d love to drum for me. We exchanged emails back and forth, but never met up, because I did find another drummer right around the same time, and things clicked with him, so we were together for about a year. Then, a year LATER, I was searching for a drummer again, and Ivan saw my ad, and contacted me once again. Same story – I found another drummer almost at the same time Ivan responded…it was nothing personal, just found someone else. What’s funny is I’ve still got the original emails saved of Ivan’s excitement to try out, and it’s really cute because he was so incredibly excited to be in a new country pursuing music and everything seemed like an amusement park to him.
Anyway, a year later, I was looking for a drummer again…not sure if that says anything bad about me, or that I’m just really picky as a musician, but he saw my ad again, and this time we DID meet up. I remember thinking to myself – oh it’s that guy from Mexico again who doesn’t speak great English, but he’s so excited! I told my other band mates he was coming by to jam. I sent him some songs to practice too.
Now – amazing drummers are VERY hard to find… I mean, drummers who are not only technically and musically talented because they’re trained musicians, but those who truly FEEL the music in their hearts and in their souls. When Ivan showed up, and sat on the drums, and we started jamming, I was blown away by his attention to detail and how incredibly talented he was – but most importantly how he threw his entire soul into the music…this guy was more than just a drummer. He’s an artist, and you could tell right away by his passion.
Anyway, that was the beginning of it all. I’ve been a solo artist all my life, up until Ivan came into the picture. One day, after we’d been jamming quite some time, and become close friends, he says, ‘Why don’t we start a band? Just the two of us? I’ll sit on drums and sing, and you just play the guitar and sing”. And what’s interesting is, that’s exactly how this band began. And if you look at pictures, you’ll see how our instrument setup has changed tremendously over the years. Take a listen to our tunes, and you’ll hear that we’ve gone through major transformations as songwriters as well.
I could spend days writing here, but you can find a ton of info on our site. There’s a wealth of information here, from videos, music, and articles where you can learn more. If you dig what you’ve read so far, please join our mailing list here; you’ll actually get the low down of some very personal stories we don’t share with the public, and get unreleased tracks and video footage that you can’t find online.
IT’S IN OUR BLOOD – FOR BETTER OR WORSE
It’s important for us to make music that can actually resonate with other people. That’s what it’s always been about, and that’s what it will ALWAYS be about. The reason Ivan and I work so well as musicians is because when we sit down to write, there comes a moment sometimes that completely throws us off, and we realize, holy potato pancakes! That’s awesome! Let’s keep working on it and see where it goes.
Some of those songs become nothing, while others become music we are so incredibly proud of – and that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone has to love it. As long as we’re happy with what we created, that’s important. Then of course, people decide – and we’ve been thrown off by the songs people really connected with that we weren’t expecting…and then had some songs we thought people would love, that didn’t turn out that way. I guess that’s the beauty of creating music straight from your heart – just let it come out naturally, and that’s all that really maters. We would got too many songs to even know what to do with, many of which we’ve never released, and we save some very special ones for our mailing list members.
DISTANT PLANET WEIRDOS SEEKING FREAKOIDS
Well, we’d love to meet cool people. We are a couple of weirdos from a distant planet. We’e never fit in to any kind of music scene, or human scene for that matter, but we keep doing what we do, cause we know that most important thing to do is follow what your heart tells you to do…and we’ve met some incredibly awesome people along the way. We would met fans who drove many miles to see us, who became great friends, who to this day, we are close with.
We’d love to be making music and traveling different corners of the world for a living. We’d love to meet more awesome people. You know, in a way, that’s one of the beautiful things about creating and releasing music. We DO meet amazing people who are outcasts, dreamers, and weirdos who don’t fit in…like us. It always warms our hearts, as cheesy as it sounds…it just feels good to meet other like-minded folks who are just trying to be themselves in a world where that’s not always appreciated or admired. So, if this resonates with you at all, we hope we can be friends and enjoy a fun journey ahead together.
All the best,
Paul & Ivan
Pinto and the Bean
PintoandtheBean.net
I have always been amazed by drummers. At times I think it must be such an easy thing to do, beat on a drum. But, after paying close attention to the drummer in my buddies band, I am not quite sure how he does all those different things at one time. I am certainly not that coordinated. Point being, I think you make a great point that a drummer has to be a true artist.
Great story, it’s awesome that you are so passionate about music. In my mid 40’s I am still trying to figure out what I am passionate about!
As for weirdos and people who don’t fit in…thank God for people like that. What a boring place the world would be if everyone fit into the same size box.
Thanks for sharing your story, it’s a good read, and I look forward to stopping by in the future.
Yeah, it is very tough to find a good drummer who not only has the skill of drumming, but also has something extra flowing through his veins. I think it’s okay to not know exactly what you’re passionate about – just keep on learning and you’ll find something I’m sure! Thank you for the comment.
What a wonderful story of two people who were brought together by their passion for music. It doesn’t matter that you’re “weirdos” as long as you’re having a great time creating music from your heart and touching others with it.
I love music too and that’s why I was inspired to learn how to play the guitar. After my guitar lessons I wanted to learn how to play the drums too as I have always been fascinated by it. I think it’s really cool to see women playing the drums.
Ivan came back around three times trying to join you, it was a destined match. Him contacting you is what Fate is, you finally joining up with him is Destiny. We make our own destinies, the universe just gives us that little nudge of Fate to get us there. It also plays on the old adage of “third time’s a charm”. It’s great to see you guys being so close with not only each other, but your fans as well. You don’t find that anymore. People become clouded by fame and fortune, and you guys seem to not let it get to you and that’s a humble aspect you should hold on to. I wish you guys much success in all your endeavors!
Thanks so much 🙂 yes I do think it was was fate cause of how it all eventually did come together in the end. It’s been a hell of a journey so far but we’re still here through the ups and downs, so that’s a good thing. Thanks so much for the kind words and support Marian. It really is awesome to have met you!