2008 POLLY STAFFLE PINUP OF THE YEAR

LUCY LA LOCA

Lucy La Loca photo by Rene Campos

Considering the way Lucy La Loca fell into modeling and became a member of an internationally known rock band, some might say she is lucky. She admittedly became a pinup by helping a makeup artist friend of hers expand her portfolio. She also happened to know somebody who knew somebody that was kin to somebody when she became apart of the Austin band Tito & Tarantula. So yes, on the surface, she might seem fortunate. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. When various opportunities came her way, Lucy seized them, but she created her own luck by being open to try new things and working hard along the way.

She began playing bass at age 17. Over the course of the next several years, the Texas beauty honed her craft playing in various local bands in her hometown of San Antonio. Upon graduating college, the tattooed vixen worked behind a desk as a graphic artist by day. She also was a vocalist and bassist for garage rock band Left Hand Lucy, while handling bass duties for the punk/oi outfit Second to None at night. Though currently on tour and recording the new Tito & Tarantula album with Tito Larriva, Steven Medina Hufsteter and Rafael Gayol, Pollystaffle.com got the chance to ask Lucy a batch of questions. Read what she had to say on her upstart in modeling, how she joined the band from the Robert Rodriguez movie “From Dusk Till Dawn,” and more as this month’s pinup.

SPIDER GIRL

Lucy photo by Mark Hollinger

CCF: So, you’re not only a model, but a bass player in a rock band and a graphic artist? How are you able to juggle all three at once?

LL: Since teaming up with Tito & Tarantula, the majority of my time is spent playing music. What use to be my day job has now become my hobby and what use to be my hobby has now become my life. As for modeling, I take it in strides. It has been another fun hobby of mine. I take the time to work with photographers when the opportunity arises but it isn’t my main focus right now.

CCF: How long have you had the hobby of modeling?

LL: I guess I would have to say I started modeling about two years ago. A very talented friend of mine Donna Montiel, approached me to model for her portfolio. The photos went over very well and I started to receive work requests from local photographers. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with quite a few talented and amazing artists.

CCF: Where can people currently see your image?

LL: I am still working on a website, but for now the best place to check out my images would be on Myspace or Model Launch.

CCF: What about music. Tell me a bit about your background?

LL: Music has always been a part of my family. My grandfather Martin Macias, known throughout Texas, handcrafted Bajo Sextos, which are 12 string bass guitars often played in Tejano/Conjunto music. I played the flute in middle school, tried playing clarinet, oboe and other woodwinds but never had found my niche. At 17 a friend gave me a half scale Memphis bass and a 15-watt Gorilla amp. From that day on and off, bass guitar was my instrument.

CCF: And how did it come about that you joined Tito & Tarantula?

LL: I believe it was a story of perfect timing. Tito was searching online for bass players in the area and stumbled across an interview I had done in the past. Upon checking out my profile, Tito asked his niece if she knew who I was or if she had heard the bands I had played in. Turns out we did not know each other, but we had a friend in common who happen to be there. I guess timing is everything. Shortly there after, Tito and the lead guitarist Stevie emailed me and we worked out auditions. At the time I had been living in Vegas so... a quick visit to L.A. and the rest, as the say, I guess is history.

CCF: Since you’re in the band, does that make you Lucy Tarantula? (LOL) Sorry, bad attempt at humor.

LL: I would say I am at least a leg! (LOL)

CCF: Like most people I had never heard of Tito & Tarantula until I saw “From Dusk Till Dawn,” which is one of my favorite movies. I ended up buying the soundtrack and a number of their CDs that followed. Were you a pretty big fan of theirs before becoming part of the band?

LL: I stumbled across the band the same as you. There was always this spark and sound about them that I admired and was, in a round about way, influenced by. Till this day I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming.

CCF: What do you feel you bring to the band?

LL: Wow, that is a hard question to answer. I think I have a certain energy/personality that fits. We have all become this close knit family and are each, in our own way, a peculiar piece of the crew. Not only do we feed off each other and have a presence on stage but, I think, we work that way in life too. Touring can be a rough thing to do with people who aren’t getting along. We don’t have that problem.

CCF: How’s the new album going?

LL: Because we are working on the album between touring, the process is a bit slowed. However, we have the basic tracks laid out. We expect that the album will be available in February 2008. The tracks, so far, have a strong driving vibe to them and I am excited for its release.

CCF: Have you gotten to do any writing for the album? Also, I can't remember if I saw an album title somewhere or not. Has it been given a title yet?

LL: Although Tito & Steve work closely together to create the foundation of the songs, Tito definitely encourages us to incorporate ourselves into the music. So, there is truly a little bit of Lucy in every song. As far as the new album title is concerned, I am not at privilege to say at this time, but keep your eyes open for the new website which will post soon.

Lucy photographed by Lonestar Vixens

CCF: Alright. I will do that. So, how’s the tour going?

LL: Touring has been steady, exciting and is an experience I will always remember. We began the 2007 tour in Russia which ran April through May. In June we returned to Europe and have since been steadily touring through Germany and Switzerland.

CCF: Do you have any cool tour stories you could share?

LL: I guess the coolest thing I can say about touring with Tito & Tarantula is that we are the first American band to tour from one end of Russia (Siberia) to the other (Moscow), a total of 11 time zones. On return from that trip we literally flew around the world; departing from Texas layover in Korea onto Russia then to Germany and back around to Texas again. Still blows my mind.

CCF: Very cool. You said the band is like family, how quick were you able to get adopted?

LL: It was almost instantaneous. The guys and crew are probably the most down to earth people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. It isn’t hard to gel with people like that.

CCF: Like me, you are originally from Texas, but you also lived in Vegas prior to hooking up with Tito Larriva and company. Tell me what’s it been like living in Germany?

LL: Between tours, Texas has become my home once again. Vegas will always be in my heart along with the many people who have become friends for life and, by way of choice, family to me. The time I have spent in Germany has opened a huge amount of possibilities for me and has ultimately become my home away from home.

CCF: Lastly, do you have any advice for the female readers out there that have an interest in music or modeling?

LL: I guess the best advice I can give is, seek what you desire because you never know what will come of it. I am a Texas girl who had big dreams, it can happen for anyone who sets their mind to it.

CCF: Very cool. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

LL: Thank you Chad!

- CCF, September 2007

For current info on Tito & Tarantula, vist their Myspace. Also, look for their official website TitoandTarantula.com to be up and running soon.