Meet Omar Naré | Nuevo Mariachi singer, composer, and lyricist. His ‘Californio’ style is considered new to Mariachi.

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

Hi Omar, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’ve spent 5 years teaching guitar in California State prisons. I remember one student in particular seemed intimidating. Tattooes on his face and neck, gun shot scars and dead eyes He always sat towards the back of class. Over time, though, he began to trust my methods. He would listen and practice and became a musician in his heart. I was proud when he purchased his own guitar. They cost $100 in prison. That’s like $1500 on the streets. It felt good because he said, “If I had learned to play music when I was young, I might have lived a different life.”

I know exactly what he meant. I was a professional singer at age 12, producer by 15, recording with producers in Italy. My parents showered me with love and support. I graduated with a degree in literature, married a dancer, and spent my days writing songs. I was the kid that my student could have been.

Life isn’t perfect or fair… but music gives hope. I know that to be true. In prison, my student was a “Murderer,” but he become a “Guitarist” and that changed his life. At least, it changed his spirit.

Those kinds of experiences are why I don’t give up. I get to be the ears and mouth of people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I call my music Nuevo Mariachi. It’s a blend of Mariachi and Sophista-Pop. I love Alejandro Fernandez, Sting, Sade, and Abdel Halim Hafez so people say they feel a Californio spirit in my music.

Several years ago, I recorded a cover of “Sabor A Mi” that was featured on NPR’s Ground Truth Project. Remezcla.com called the version “Epic!” and the New York Times said I was “trying to reinvigorate the traditional music of Mexico” when they shared my story.

Despite those highs, some Mariachi purists spoke out against me. My first teacher included. For him, Mariachi should only recreate Mexico, but I believe that Mariachi should keep growing. I’ve learned to trust my taste.

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 live near Fresno, CA. Most people drive past Fresno on Highway 99 and keep right on going. Great! We put the freeway over the ugly part of town for exactly that reason. We don’t divulge our secrets.

But I will say… some places in Fresno are enticing. Remember, we grow the food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jasmín La Carís, my beautiful wife. Without her love and encouragement, I wouldn’t know left from right.

Website: carisnare.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/omarnare/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@omarnare

Image Credits
Annette Lara Gracyn Goodgion