By Al Garcia
In a city known for its rich cultural blend and creative energy, local band Kikimora is making waves with its long-awaited, self-titled album.
The group—featuring lead guitarist Hayley Lynch, keyboardist Leo Bennato, guitarist Edd Ramos, bassist Jericho, and drummer Eric Boseman—released the album earlier this year after six years of development. The project, which began in 2019, is a reflection of the band’s growth, collaboration and commitment to authentic expression. One question remains: what made now the right time to release it? It’s done.
Photo By: Andrea Rojo
For Hayley, music is a reflection of modern life, conveying what she is feeling in the moment. Rather than following a singular concept or genre, Kikimora built the album as a collection of emotional snapshots. The result is a genre-blending project that merges Latin American rhythms, neo-soul and modern jazz influences.
Photo By: Al Garcia
Each member brings a distinct background and sound. Edd, who grew up in Ciudad Juárez, blends soul and salsa with traditional cumbia rhythms, infusing the band’s music with a unique groove. “More rhythmic stuff.” he calls it, describing how his roots influence his guitar playing.
Bennato, whose background is in jazz, emphasized the importance of restraint in his performance. “I think as you grow, and mature into music, I learned that “shut up” is a good thing, and listening to the rest of the people. I think in this album, I still have a long way to go. I think this album is a little more featured, you know, everyone’s [in the] spotlight. That’s what I learned, sometimes silence is good.” he said. On the album, he intentionally stepped back, creating space for each member’s voice.
Photo By: Margarita Ponce
That collaborative spirit is part of what keeps the album cohesive despite the band’s varied influences. “That was the teenager era of the band—we’re adults now,” Bennato joked, reflecting on their evolution, both musically and personally. The release of the singles was also intentional. “We released them in an order we thought would hit,” Jericho said.
Still, the process proved unpredictable. The track “Holding on to Nothing” gained more traction than their intended standout, “You Don’t Know (Disco).” For the band, the takeaway was to trust the creative process. The album also features collaborations with other El Paso artists, including Stan. Z, PIE Sisters and Amelissa. According to Edd, each collaborator added something the band didn’t already have.
“Places like Star City Studios have been instrumental in this band, and this album being made.” Lynch says with a laugh. The venue has played a key role in providing a home base for the band to rehearse, write and connect. “Well, I don’t think there would be a band without being in El Paso,” adds Boseman.
Photo By: Margarita Ponce
Even as their sound gains attention, Kikimora isn’t interested in being confined by genre or commercial expectations. “There’s an openness in the city, in the music community.” Edd stated. “Being able to celebrate each other’s work, and then at the same time, be able to say, “Hey, let’s do something together!”
While mainstream success is often measured in metrics and fame, Kikimora defines success differently. For them, it’s about making music with people they respect. Bennato will always pick a smaller venue over a crowd of 70,000 people– “playing with this band, and our music.”
Photo By: Andrea Rojo
As of July 15, the album has charted spots in the top 30 of 14 different college radio stations, a milestone that reflects growing recognition without compromising the band’s vision. Still, accolades aren’t the focus. For Kikimora, the real goal is evolving their sound and deepening their creative synergy. “We’re going to look back at this and say, ‘That was successful,’” Lynch said.
For now, the band remains focused on the process—on growth, collaboration and staying true to their roots.
