We had the good fortune of connecting with Cipriano Ortega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cipriano, what are you inspired by?
My current two string slide bass project is inspired by Mark Sandman. He was the lead singer of the Boston based band Morphine. Discovering his instrument (the two string slide bass) made me realize the potential of limitations and simplicity. Mark inspired me so much that I have built 4 two string slide basses of my own. Why just two strings? Every string has every note. With that being said, my main for this project is to say what I must with limited instrumentation. In an era of musical technology advancing daily it can be overwhelming and I needed a home bass to look too. Since this project is a predominantly a two piece band I need to act as both guitarist and bassist as well as the singer. Mark Sandman inspired me to do this. The other main component to this musical project is my drummer Vitaliy Minyaylo. His style of drumming compliments and converses with my playing and singing. The third component is my saxophone player Deano Grey who also adds a level of sexiness with his playing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born into a family of artists. Both my father (Tony Ortega) and my mother (Sylvia Montero) have always shown me the power of creativity. In my youth I went and spent the summers acting at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. During the school year, I refined my creative skill sets at Denver School of the Arts where I graduated from in 2009. From then on I went to and pursued a college degree in sociology. It was at this time I developed a strong interest in music as I saw it as a culmination of all my passions in one art form. Graduating from Regis University in 2014 I was faced with 5 years of health issues that confined my body and mind. Through that half decade, I recovered and refined the skillsets I needed to make my music happen.

Those five years challenged me in very deep ways. From those years of darkness I emerged anew reborn. With anew perception hammered into me I am now determined to express myself in all the mediums I see fit. The main mediums I use are sound and the performing arts.

I would like the world to be open to me. For what I am expressing comes from the heart and I hope you enjoy my music.

-Cipriano

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I spend my leisure times walking the streets of North Denver. Preferably at night I use the (usually) quiet times of the night to clear my head and think. One of the main places me and my drummer Vitaliy Minyaylo frequent is My Bothers Bar located on 2376 15th St. While it is not my brothers bar literally it has however, been a place we feel welcome. From there we continue to walk down to the platte river where in ancient times was full of indigenous people. We continue to walk until met with Union Station. I am always comforted by the sounds of trains the hustle and bustle of travelers and the comfort of knowing I could take a train anywhere. I then walk down 16th street where we are gawked at or complimented by strangers. We love the 16th mall and all the beautiful diversity it has to offer. We then settle in at one of Denver’s late night venues the Mercury cafe where we have been fortunate enough to play on several locations.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother, Sylvia Montero. Her strength and courage to always speak out against injustice inspires me daily to commit my art and myself for change. Change can be interpreted in many way and as an indigenous person of color we are both all too familiar with facing adversity. Wether it is systematic or social oppressions my mother has showed me how my art can be used to persevere through the toughest of times.

Instagram: @ciprianoband

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CiprianoOrtega

Image Credits
Manuel Aragon Elle Hong Tony Ortega Sylvia Montero

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