Buddhists have this belief in, what Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh coined, interbeing. The idea that we don’t exist as separate, isolated individuals, but as part of a cosmic interconnection. You are because I am. I am because we are. In all our individual identities, we’re still interdependent on each other.
The relationships we cultivate in our lives end up shaping who we are. Very spiritual. Very vibes.
I think that reflects immediately into the community around us. We owe it to ourselves to support the people in our community precisely because of interbeing. In supporting them, they support us. It’s this beautiful synergy that lifts all of us up. My family, like so so so many others, came together to raise each other’s kids when work was running late, supported each other in harsh times, and loved to celebrate the good times together. In the house of their grandmother in Chinandega Nicaragua, my mother and her 4 sisters were raised with a very important lesson: if someone needs help, you help. “You can always add more water to the soup pot.” she’d say. And they brought that lesson here- raising 8 kids and 7 grandchildren together, rotating childcare, pooling money when necessary, and keeping those same values alive. I am because they are.
A little background before I continue my story: the term con ganas means “with desire.” With intention, passion, drive. Something I heard growing up was, “whatever you want to with your life, whatever you want to do when you grow up, do it con ganas.”
It’s been my goal for a long time to create a community that takes care of communities everywhere. Supporting local. Local business, local artists, local commerce. Wherever you are in the world, it’s someone’s local. And so, in an effort to build this community using the nerdy tools I’ve developed, I created Con Ganas Media- a creative playground for me to document the amazing locals wherever I may roam. Coffee shops, artists, small businesses; this company is dedicated to showcasing those with the ganas to build their dreams, put themselves out there in their craft, and contribute to the community.
As I’ve recently started recording my family’s history, I realized it’s been a passion of mine to tell people stories and thus, Con Ganas is born. Here’s the thing: when I spotlight them on my platform, they spotlight me back. It’s interbeing in action. A lifestyle brand? Sure. But really, it’s a hub for dope stuff out there and dope stuff I’m making in-house.
And so, as I embark on this creative endeavor in the hopes of making this my full time career I’ve decided to start a series I like to call: Hey Primo! Your primo, or cousin for my english speaking readers, is always putting you on to the coolest stuff. My taste in music, movies, cartoons, hobbies, was heavily influenced by my cousins. And that’s what I’m hoping to do for you. We’ll talk a little chisme (gossip), I’ll show you a little music, and we’ll close out by putting you on to some awesome events, business, experiences to try in the neighborhood.
So primos, let’s get started.
Music
I stumbled upon this band on instagram that described themselves as “an ecuadorian and a gringo trying to make spanish indie rock the biggest genre in the world.” I instantly was hooked by their sound. The band is called Feel Trip and my recent favorite of theirs is, “no quiero ser tu amigo.”
This has been on repeat in the house this week. A seamless set by De La Soul, the energy and the pure joy oozing out of this performance is one for the NPR Tiny Desk hall of fame.
With every issue of Hey Primo! we’ll be attaching a playlist of tunes inspired by the music featured! Take a listen!
The House of Kong
In promotion of their newest album Mountain, The Gorillaz had a pop up experience in the arts district in LA that was a closer look of the “Gorillaz HQ” The House of Kong.
I’m a sucker for immersive experiences, and this one delivered. No photos allowed—they even give you a sticker to cover your camera. You get a headset with instructions from familiar voices, and the tour walks you through the band’s history before suddenly pivoting into the world of the Gorillaz themselves—their recording HQ, the mythology, the whole thing.
The full experience is only about 30 minutes but I was really impressed with the level of detail. I appreciate the dedication to the artistry and world building that Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, and the whole team put together. Following the experience you’re able to take a look at some art pieces, a brief video, and some Gorillaz merch including Vinyl LPs of which I was able to cross Demon Days off my record wishlist.
Java
As I strive to build the world of Con Ganas Media, a very good friend of mine and I are creating a zine! Java, a photography zine of the neighborhoods we visit, is a collection of the ganas in the area. We wanted to create something tactile that you could sit with your morning java and connect with free of digital distraction. The first issue drops in April 2026. Look out for that on our merch site…and possibly in your local coffee shop!
That’s what Hey Primo is about. Interbeing through culture. I put you on to Feel Trip, you put your friend on to them, they discover a local show, and suddenly we’re all connected through the music. That’s the goal. That’s ganas.
This is just the beginning. If you know a local business that deserves a spotlight, leave a comment and tell me about them. And if you’re in LA and you see me with a camera, say hey!
Until next time primos!
—Chris