Hello friends! Austin based, Ecuadorian born, singer-songwriter Javier Jara is my guest for episode 1548! Javier's latest album, Our Rhythms, Our Voices, is available now on all streaming services. This album is an incredibly meaningful and timely project as it highlights and honors the Latin American population here in the United States during a time when immigrant voices and stories need to be told and uplifted in a positive light. Part oral history and part roots music experimentation, Our Rhythms, Our Voices aims to celebrate the Latin American community, their diversity, cultural heritage and contributions to this country and beyond. To create the album, Jara and his team of collaborators interviewed Latin American immigrants from all walks of life to create songs, using rhythms from their native lands - Yahir Durán, an outstanding Mexican songwriter in his own right, wrote a poem from each interview, then Jara set all the poems to music and string arrangements. Go to ourrhythmsourvoices.com for more info on the album and go to javierjara.com to connect with Javier. We have a great conversation about the album, Javier's dedication to activism through music, and much more. I hope you enjoy getting to know Javier. I sure did. Let's get down! Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you pod. Go to johnny-goudie.com for all things Johnny. If you feel so inclined. Venmo: venmo.com/John-Goudie-1 Paypal: paypal.me/johnnygoudie