It is amazing seeing so many student artists at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) who aren’t originally from the 831, but regardless chose to share and perform their music here. There never seems to be a lack of shared community on what appears to be a relatively quiet campus.
For student artist Roxy Ortiz, coming to school here and finding community allowed her to showcase her music freely and reinforced what she always knew – music is what she was meant to do.
“Honestly, it’s unreal how much love I feel when I go up there because I’m just looking out and it’s all the homies and their homies,” shared Ortiz. “My life goal is just being able to express myself with music every day.”
Ortiz, who professionally goes by Roxy O, is a singer-songwriter from Long Beach. At CSUMB, she is primarily a student artist, carving out a place in the vibrant and expanding music scene in the 831. Ortiz is perfecting her unique sound as a solo artist as well as the frontwoman for the band Sister Four Eyes.
Regulated by no genre of music and choosing not to be boxed into any specific sound, you can bet that any show featuring Ortiz is bound to get an intimate or rockstar-like performance out of her.
Ortiz isn’t restricted by any one sound as she crosses through genres to create high-energy performances each time she gets on stage. A Roxy O show guarantees a rock-star performance filled with intimate, self-reflective serenades.
It comes so naturally to Ortiz, especially because music has always been a staple in her life. That passion for music comes from the support of her family.
“Growing up, as far as I can remember, I’ve always been good with memorizing lyrics and singing songs on the radio. My mom kind of encouraged me to sing whatever, even if it wasn’t in tune. Singing in the car I practiced the National Anthem. I kind of wasn’t thinking that it would take me anywhere.”
Also seeing her father, who is in the music industry as a touring artist, inspired her to want to pursue a future in music and demonstrated what it can truly do for her.
“He kind of just showed me what I could do with my life. Seeing him perform at a young age was super inspiring and it really opened my eyes to what I could be doing.”
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From Long Beach to Monterey Bay, Ortiz, a music major, chose CSUMB not only because of the beauty of the area, but for the chance to grow as a musician in a much smaller music program than most other universities.
“It’s this hobby I’m trying to pursue now as a career and job and it’s just so fun. Going to school for something that you love to do makes it more appealing, and it makes it more enjoyable for me.”
In doing so, Ortiz met other talented and like-minded student artists who helped her on her musical journey. Recently, with the help of her friends, she released her debut EP titled ‘Vesuvian Walk,’ a three-track, mellow-sounding, inspired look into her unfiltered and raw sense of self.
“It’s my first solo stuff so it’s kind of me putting my foot in the door. It’s kind of singer-songwriter stuff because I’m all over the place with genres and I don’t want to box myself in. I hate saying on my ‘Taylor Swift (stuff),’ but it’s practically my confessions, putting my heart on my sleeve in the lyrics of the songs,” she explained.
Whenever I go to any of Roxy O’s shows, I’m always excited to hear a new song she might cover or an original. There is no telling what she might play but that speaks to the range and talent she brings to the 831. It is abundantly clear that Ortiz loves music with everything and knows what her future awaits.
Ortiz continued, “I started with music because it’s something that I love to do. It makes me happy. It’s my therapy. I can’t imagine not doing anything else.”
Music lovers can find Roxy O’s music on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/5IGwr7XVUBbx1DpHN9hFDg?si=FvAqsJngRh6HinP10CCjTA&nd=1&dlsi=edc8fcd4ec0045e1.