For Esteban Flores, the artist behind Slow Joy, the past year has felt like a blur — a fast-forward reel of packed shows, emotional songwriting, and unexpected fan love.
“If you had told me three or four years ago that I’d be playing shows with actual people in the crowd, I would’ve called you a liar,” Flores shares with a chuckle over the phone. “So to be able to travel to all these cities I’ve never been to and hear people singing my songs back to me, it’s surreal. I still show up to every venue thinking, ‘No one’s gonna show up, right?’ It’s definitely taking some time to adjust to the fact that this is actually my job now.”
Now, as he heads to El Cid in Los Angeles on March 13 for a headline performance, it marks another milestone in a journey that started not long ago in his hometown of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
“I actually wrote one of my tracks ‘Pulling Teeth’ really close to El Cid, which is beautiful in itself. It’s such a cool full-circle moment because I was back there just a few weeks ago, writing with some of my collaborators, and I passed the venue. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my god, it’s right there.’ Every time I play Los Angeles, it feels like a second home.”
The self-described “rock for the homies” musician is in the midst of his first-ever US headline tour, and the response has left him in awe. Flores shared that even the simple fact of playing to a room full of people who know his lyrics feels surreal. “I’m still getting used to this,” he admitted, “but it’s been incredible.”
That sense of gratitude is woven throughout Slow Joy’s story, and his music. His genre-bending sound pulls from rock, shoegaze, and alternative influences, but at its core, it’s deeply personal, driven by experiences of loss from his mother’s passing, heartbreak, and the slow, rough climb toward healing. His debut album, “A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming” is both a reflection and a declaration, capturing the ups and downs of personal growth. It’s also a celebration of his Chicano heritage, something Flores takes immense pride in.
“I’m a second-generation American, my abuelito came to this country with nothing in his pocket, and I’m a product of that story. That’s in everything I write. Even the imagery — the sugar skull, the bull — it all ties back to my roots. My abuelito had a company called Toro Construction, and that bull represents both the fear of death and the fear of life. It’s all woven into the music. At one point, I literally called my abuelita in the middle of writing a song to make sure I was saying a word right and that moment ended up in the album. My culture is everything to me, and I care deeply about showing who I am. Artists who look like me don’t always get these kinds of opportunities, so I want to help cultivate space for the next generation to own and showcase their identities too.”
That authenticity — blending raw lyrics with his cultural roots — has earned Slow Joy a fiercely loyal fanbase, especially in his home state of New Mexico and across Texas, where his shows have become increasingly rowdy in the best way possible. Flores recalls his recent hometown show in Carlsbad with particular fondness, describing the overwhelming feeling of looking out into a sea of familiar faces singing back every word. “It felt like the whole town showed up,” he said, “and it’s the kind of moment you never forget.”
But touring isn’t all euphoric highs. Flores spoke openly about the mental health challenges that come with life on the road, from the nerves that creep in before each set to the grind of daily travel. “It’s important to stay Zen,” he said. “I try to focus on the fact that people showed up, and I get to play music for them — that’s what matters.” To keep spirits high, he and his band recently introduced a pre-show ritual: a playful round of rock-paper-scissors, where the loser gets a light slap across the face. “It’s goofy,” Flores laughed, “but it helps shake off the nerves.”
At El Cid, fans can expect a set that spans Slow Joy’s emotional spectrum, from aching ballads to fuzzed-out rock anthems. And, of course, there may be previews of the upcoming album, a record Flores has poured himself into over the past year.
For Flores, playing El Cid carries special weight. It’s not just another tour stop; it’s a chance to stake his claim in Los Angeles, a city that’s shaped so many of his heroes and one that holds particular importance for Chicano artists. “I’ve always looked up to bands who could pack out LA clubs and make people feel something real,” he said. “To be able to do that myself? It’s wild.”
As the show approaches, Flores is equal parts excited and reflective. Whether it’s a stolen pair of boxing gloves (a weird tour mishap he still finds hilarious) or a teary-eyed fan confession after a set, every experience adds another layer to the Slow Joy story. “I just want this album, and this tour, to be a reminder,” he said. “That even when life gets hard, you’re not alone. And sometimes, joy is just around the corner, even if it’s slow.”
Slow Joy: Mi Amigo Slow Joy Tour
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13
Where: El Cid, 4212 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles
Tickets: $21.12 at Dicefm.com.