Behind the Music: An Exclusive Interview with Mary Mendoza from Feel Good Band

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Mary Mendonza of the Feel Good Band. We explored her musical journey, the inspirations behind her art, and the passions that drive her creative process. It was a conversation that proved to be as insightful as it was enjoyable, and I think it's something you'd really appreciate.

AA: Please tell me about your background, where you're from, your upbringing, cultural heritage, and significant life experiences that have shaped who you are today.

MM: I was born and raised in deep south Texas! McAllen, Texas to be specific – practically in Mexico when looking at it on the map. I’m super proud of that though, being submersed in such a cool culture for the first 13 years of my life. I’m the youngest of 4 kids and extremely close with my family. We were raised to be kind, open-minded, emotionally driven and authentic.

MM: My family moved to Omaha, NE in 2008. That was a huge change for us and for me, but I’m glad for it. Omaha has great people, education, annnddd most important for me now – a dope music scene.

MM: In terms of significant life experiences, more recently I suffered the largest loss of my life. My big brother Alex passed away tragically, and it’s been absolutely world changing. It’s still really fresh and depressing (sorry lol) but it would feel wrong not to mention it. Sad emo bangers coming your way! Back to fun stuff haha

AA: I'm curious about the music scene in Omaha, Nebraska. Can you tell me about the types of music venues, popular local bands, and any unique or distinctive aspects of the music culture in the city?

MM: Omaha is not what you’d expect – it’s rich in culture and celebrates the arts beautifully. There’s a range of venues from dive bar to arena with everything in between. We entered the scene in the midst of COVID and were so stoked to see how the community came back together once the world was opened up again. There’s a ton of support and genuinely cool people in it for the love of the music and spreading it as far and wide as possible.

AA: Is there a specific artist whose music and journey inspired you to pursue your passion for music and eventually start your band?

MM: Who immediately comes to mind for me is Demi Lovato. When I think back to my most impressionable years, she stands out the most for me in terms of singing and acting AND being so close with the Jonas Brothers haha.

MM: She’s always been a massive inspiration for me vocally and since I’ve also had interest in acting, I couldn’t believe she got to do both at the same time. We are about the same age, so she made me think maybe it was possible for me too. It just took me a lot longer haha

AA: I am genuinely fascinated by the story behind your musical journey. I would love to know what specific moment or experience ignited your passion for music and how you decided to pursue it. What were the challenges you faced, and what steps did you take to turn your passion into a successful musical journey?

MM: I realized this was something I could do but I didn’t want to do it alone. I had notebooks full of lyrics but no music to put them to. My brother Mack, who’s now the keyboardist/composer for our band, had played the piano by ear and suddenly we had an abundance of free time after moving to a new city. We found ourselves meeting at the piano and writing music together.

MACK BRUMMEL | KEYS, MUSIC COMPOSITION

AA: I'm interested in learning about the origins of your band, Feel Good. How did the members first connect and decide to form the group? What's the story behind the band's name, and why was it chosen? Additionally, I'm eager to hear about your journey and the experiences you've had since the band was established.

MM: Mack and I have been tied since I was born of course! We then met Mark (guitar) through a mutual friend who said he was looking for a band to join. Mark introduced us to Tanner (bassist/engineer/producer) when we were looking for someone to record our demos. Once Tanner heard the music, he fell in love with the project and quickly volunteered to be our missing bassist. We rotated through a couple different drummers before we landed with Drew and have a match made in heaven ever since!

MM: A big part of our collaboration is playing by ear and just going off of what feels good – which is where the name comes from.

MARK HECK | GUITAR

TANNER STAUFFACHER | BASS, ENGINEERING, PRODUCTION

DREW KOHLER | DRUMS

AA: As I was exploring the collection of albums you have released, I became curious about which specific album was your favorite to work on. Additionally, I am interested in learning about the sources that inspire your lyrics. Where do you typically draw your ideas for lyrics from?

MM: This last album, Bluebird, was my favorite. Each song came together so effortlessly and was a direct reflection of where I was at in my life at that time. The lyrics poured out of me almost without thought. Specifically before bed, I’d be laying there about to drift off and suddenly a stream of lyrics would pop in my head and I’d have to write them down or make a quick video to captiure the harmony. I was in an emotional rough patch and absolutely used music to process it and work through my emotions.

AA: I'd love to hear about four of your favorite songs you enjoyed working on and performing. Can you also share why these songs are your favorites and if they have any meaningful messages behind them?

MM: Smiling From The Heart is one of my favorite live – when I wrote it, I didn’t’ entirely mean the words I was writing and promised myself I would mean them the first time I sang them on stage. That one is a healthy reminder for me of how far I’ve come with my mental health journey.

MM: Cognitive Dissonance is a fun one live, the beginning is always emotional. The crowd is so still and respectful.

MM: Full Bloom is our opener for the set and really sets the bar high for what the crowd can expect. Such an uplifting song, too.

MM: Perfect Match is our closer for live sets because it’s SO fun. The energy is amazing!

AA: Imagine you are in a situation where you have to describe the unique qualities of your music to someone who has never heard it before. How would you go about explaining this to them?

MM: I’m so bad at this hahaha I’d say our music is ballad style rock with pop punk energy. It’s raw, powerful and captivating.

AA: Can you share what it's like to be a musician, especially as the frontwoman of your band?

MM: It’s the best! Haha it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Because of my background and my full-time job as a graphic designer, I handle all of our social media which is a job in itself. Nowadays, you can’t just be a talented band. You have to be a content creator, an online personality, a manager, all in one. You have to wear a lot of hats but I’m happy to do it. At the end of the day, you gotta earn your stripes and work for it. The grind is a real thing lol.

AA: How do you manage the emotional and financial fluctuations of being a musician, including the highs of performing and creating music and the lows of uncertainty and financial instability?

MM: Because of the instability, we have yet to quit our full-time jobs outside of music. Long-term touring right now isn’t as profitable as we’d need it to be to quit or day jobs, but we’d love for our music careers to be lucrative enough to be our ONLY careers. That’s the goal! To get around the financial stress of a longer tour, we’re planning on shorter stints around the Midwest to extend our reach beyond Omaha in a live setting.

AA: For individuals who are looking to make their mark in the music industry, what specific advice or tips would you provide to help them navigate their way into the music scene and establish a successful career?

MM: I’m no sure we’re qualified to answer this hahah but I’ll give it a go! I guess I would say just keep going. Even when it feels like no one is listening, no one is watching, nobody cares – someone does. And even if that someone is you, isn’t that enough? Keep making your music, keep playing your shows, keep posting on social media. If you’re genuine and make music you love, you can’t go wrong.

AA: As you've pursued your music career, I'm curious to know about the travel opportunities that have come your way. What are some of the memorable places you've had the chance to visit or perform in? Are there specific states or cities that your band particularly enjoys visiting or performing in?

MM: So far, we’ve only played in our hometown and in Lincoln, Nebraska. And technically Council Bluffs, Iowa but that’s like 15 minutes away haha.

AA: Could you recall the first show or performance you were involved in? What thoughts and emotions were racing your mind as you stepped onto the stage for the first time?

MM: I remember doing a talent show for my friend's church when I was in 8th grade. I was absolutely terrified and had a stomachache the entire week leading up to it. But once I started singing, I didn’t want to stop.

AA: If you had the opportunity to share the stage with any artist from any genre, who would you choose to collaborate with and why?"

MM: I would love to work with so many artists, but I think our fans would be most stoked if we did a collab with Paramore. We are compared to them most often and it would be cool to have a little sister/big sister moment with Hayley Williams.

AA: What does success look like to you? How do you define happiness in your own life?

MM: Success to me is knowing our music has made as much of an impact on other peoples lives as it has our own. I can confidently say we have succeeded in that based on the messages we’ve received. I’m happy when I’m fulfilled in mind, body and spirit – music does a lot of that!

AA: What are some activities you enjoy doing in your free time?

MM: Oooooo fun time!! I love to go to the gym or move my body in some way lol I hang out with my family; my husband and I do puzzles and snuggle with our pets. I play sand volleyball and like to do freelance design when I can. I keep myself busy with work and the band though!

AA: Share three individuals who have significantly influenced your life, positively or negatively, and explain why.

MM: My parents have absolutely shaped who I am. They’ve shown me what true love is and how to care for your family. I can never repay them for what they’ve been able to give me, not in materials but in life lessons.

MM: My husband Hugo has been in my life for 10 years now! We’ve totally grown together and made each other who we are. We challenge each other and support each other, and I love him for that. And hes cute 😊

MM: My brother Alex who passed away has significantly influenced me in his life and in his death. He was such a fierce lover of everyone he met and didn’t know a stranger. I aspire to be more like him in so many regards, but in his openness and lack of judgement for others. He was the brightest light in every room.

AA: When it comes to movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonate with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?

MM: I have a hard time picking favorites, but I tend to like movies that either make you think really hard, or make you laugh really hard. I love all Judd Apatow movies for humor – although, Pineapple Express is my go-to for a laugh. Shutter Island stands out to me as one of the first movies that shocked me which I LOVE. Being a storyteller, I tend to predict how a story ends and ruin it for myself, so I LOVE when I’m surprised 😊

AA: As for TV shows, which ones do you find yourself eagerly tuning in to? What about these shows captivates you—could it be the plot twists, character development, or the overall production quality?

MM: PI watch an insane amount of TV, but I tend to be drawn to dramas or trash reality tv hahah Love Island and Love Is Blind are up my alley. For my day job, I put in headphones and watch whatever I want, so I can go through a whole season pretty easily.

AA: Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

MM: Nowadays, my reading is mainly recommended by my therapist hahahah. The Body Keeps The Score is beyond interesting and insightful, I highly suggest it for anyone on a mental health journey.

AA: Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

MM: Nowadays, my reading is mainly recommended by my therapist hahahah. The Body Keeps The Score is beyond interesting and insightful, I highly suggest it for anyone on a mental health journey.

AA: Could you share some insights into your personal journey with mental health and the ways in which it has shaped your life?

MM: I spent most of my life not liking myself. And I didn’t even know. But it showed in the ways I treated myself and let other treat me. Once I took control of my mental health, I learned to love myself and it seems like everything else just fell into place after that.

AA: Which podcasts do you highly recommend and why? What sets these podcasts apart from others, in your opinion? Do they offer valuable insights, entertaining content, or something else that keeps you hooked?

MM: Podcasts are my jam!!! Armchair Expert is my holy grail. There are a few subseries within the umbrella of shows and they are all equally amazing. The hosts interview celebrities and experts in different areas just the same. They go past surface level convo and get straight to the nitty gritty which I love. The experts share so much knowledge on things I otherwise wouldn’t have ever been exposed to.

AA: I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

MM: Mayday Parade is band that we all hold in extremely high regards. From the amazing music to the performances to who they are as people and to their fans. They’ve set an awesome example of who we aspire to be as a band.

MM: My most memorable concert experience was our most recent show when we opened for Judah and the Lion. It was my first time at this brand-new venue in our town and it was incredible as a show-goer, much less as a performer!

AA: If you could live in any historical period, which would you choose and why?

MM: I’m actually so happy with my generation hahaha maybe I’d just go back to the early 90’s or 2000’s.

AA: If you had the world's attention for five minutes, what message would you share with everyone?"

MM: We are all human. Kindness is free to give yet priceless to receive – share it wildly and with authenticity. Life is too short to dwell on the bad days when we could find the good in them. Tell the people you love that you love them. Be good.

AA: Mary Mendoza, I appreciate you sharing a lot about yourself and your musical journey! I wish you the best of luck in all your future pursuits!

The Feel Good Band

MARY MENDOZA | VOCALS

Please access the link below to find detailed information about The Feel Good Band.

https://linktr.ee/feelgoodofficial?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYxfC0a6HloEZqnYvwI6X0_BxAMtkZh-r4riOZqV9R-ueR8qwwHRBwsg4U_aem_XxkX6dhRrvVVfTtI9pEsqQ

*** All photos and videos by Feel Good Band and Photographer, Jasmaine of Endless Photography Omaha, unless otherwise noted **