Have you ever thought about how much of our life is woven out of coincidences? An unexpected encounter can change the course of events, a small mishap can open a new path, and a song heard by chance in a taxi can suddenly get stuck in your memory and become the connecting thread for a new creative union. That is exactly what happened with Jackie O’Brien, known as the founder, vocalist, and bassist of The Bright Light Social Hour. Hearing the song “Porque Te Vas” (“Because You’re Leaving”), the 1974 megahit by Spanish singer Jeanette, in a taxi in Oaxaca, Mexico, he became instantly hooked. At the same time, Jackie was constantly listening to AILA’s debut EP. That’s when he realized this classic would be the perfect starting point for collaborating with her.
Photos by Andrea Escobar
Thus a collaboration was born – one that fused different styles and expanded emotional horizons. Jackie, a veteran of Austin’s psychedelic rock scene, reveals his avant-garde side in the project Starflake: tropical post-punk with a hypnotic bass, an enchanting atmosphere, and punk energy. AILA, who moved from Mexico to Austin, is shaping her own style at the crossroads of indie-pop and alt-rock, weaving personality, protest, and self-reflection into her lyrics. Together they form a union of two worlds – different in form, yet strikingly in tune.
Together, they reimagine “Porque Te Vas” with a fresh, modern arrangement. The idea quickly grew into studio work at Escondido Sound, where Jackie took on the role of producer. The duo drew inspiration from italo-disco, synth-pop, and darkwave to transform the nostalgic original into a unique dance experience – a “dance with tears.” In their “Porque Te Vas”, the instrumentation has been completely reworked – from a new guitar lead and modular synth to a dense rhythm section created by Zac Catanzaro (drums) and Juan Alfredo Ríos (percussion). All of this comes together to form a hypnotic, mesmerizing sound.
I’ve listened to this song in Jeanette’s performance countless times – the melancholy of the original, of course, has its own undeniable charm. But Starflake and AILA turned my perception of the track upside down: they added rhythm, energy, and fresh emotion, so now I want to dance and cry at the same time… and, honestly, that’s a new kind of workout I’m more than happy to practice!
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