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Cartoonist Conscript To The Bodega Boys

Published Sat, 21 Oct 2017 08:00:22 -0500

Steve Lafler writes,

When I moved to Oaxaca, Mexico in the Fall of 2007, I was looking for adventure. This remote highland city has it all. An art scene second only to Mexico City, late-night cafes, astounding ruins, and it's own Oaxacan cuisine celebrated the world over.

I was also looking for a house. The wife, two kids and I had to live somewhere on our Mexican sojourn. Enter one Todd Spiehler, expat real estate agent. Mr. Spiehler, an amiable fellow, showed us a few houses around town. Within 15 minutes of meeting us, Todd queried me with an impish grin "So you're a guitar player?"

Cartoonist Conscript To The Bodega Boys — Photo by Jeff Charles.

"Huh? I'm a cartoonist! Sure, I know a few chords, but…" Undaunted, Spiehler informed me that I'd be attending Thursday night jams out in San Pablo Etla, a village a few miles out of the city of Oaxaca. Turns out a rag-tag group of expats & Mexicanos known as the Bodega Boys get together to run through an assortment of bluegrass, blues and rock & roll tunes.

What's more, the host, Tony Raab, is an expert mezcalero. He makes craft mezcal, the distilled agave spirit that is the heart & soul of Oaxaca. Mr. Raab's mezcal still is conveniently located 60 meters from where the Bodega Boys play under the stars! Trouble ahead, trouble behind! And, and amazing amount of fun beckons.

To say I fell down the musical rabbit hole is an understatement. I played under the stars with the Bodega Boys week after week for years, and played in several bands with a variety of swashbuckling musicians, both expats and Mexicans.

Fast forward almost 10 years. By the time my family returns to the United States, not only am I the frontman of Radio Insecto, a local "Oaxacabilly" band, but I had my subject for my new graphic novel Death Plays a Mean Harmonica.

Currently, I'm running a Kickstarter to finance my Oaxaca graphic novel, a limited edition first printing with a screen printed cover. And yes, there is a special Bleeding Cool reward available.

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