It's a Family Affair: The Funky Gatos prove collaboration starts at home
Updated: 10 hours ago
Funky Gatos has spent the past 14 years proving that when music runs in the family, the result can be anything but ordinary.
The New Mexico family band has developed a sound it affectionately calls "Pop Manco," blending pop and funk influences with flamenco-inspired rhythms and dance. What began as a father-and-child musical collaboration has gradually grown into a full family affair, creating a group whose chemistry is as much a part of the performance as the music itself. "We do drive each other crazy," they admit with a laugh.
But that comes with the territory when a band is also a family.
The story of Funky Gatos began with a father, Moses Leyva, and daughter, Leah Leyva, performing duets together. Over time, additional musicians joined the group, including drummer Gerry Greenhouse and bassist John Griffin, while another family member brought flamenco dance into the performance. Saxophonist Mark eventually became part of the lineup as well. "And it all just kind of over...the last 14 years," shared lead singer Leah Leyva. "This has been evolving into what it is now."
That evolution has allowed Funky Gatos to continually experiment with what a cover band can be. Rather than simply reproducing songs audiences already know, the group adds its own personality through its musical arrangements and flamenco performance.
The band's distinctive approach recently earned it one of New Mexico's top entertainment honors when Funky Gatos was named Top Cover Band at the New Mexico Entertainment Awards. The recognition was particularly meaningful because of the strength of the competition. "Exciting. Really, there's a lot of, you know, really awesome bands in our category," Leyva said. "So we definitely felt super selfishly well-deserved."
Then came the more straightforward assessment from Greenhouse: "Yes, we worked really hard."
That work shows in the band's unusual mix of musical styles and live performance. At the center of that identity is the flamenco dancing that accompanies the music, adding another dimension to songs audiences may already know.
Rebekah Leyva, the band's flamenco dancer, studied under the Encinas family and other artists in Spain, and performed professionally with Nihostros. After completing that chapter, the opportunity to combine flamenco with the family band's music happened almost by chance. "A local restaurant owner asked us if we could do a gig; the three of us shared Leyva. "And we said, sure."
There was just one catch. "She said, next week. And we're like, all right."
What followed became the band's first experimental phase. "And it just seemed to work, and people seemed to like it," Leyva said. "So we kept doing it, and they brought me in with the full band."
For Rebekah, incorporating flamenco into the band's music provided an entirely different form of artistic expression. "And it's a blast for me, you know, a different way to express...the flamenco-inspired rhythms."
That combination also connects the music to the family's roots and heritage, making the performance more than a simple musical arrangement. "With something that...is familial...in our roots and our heritage."
Among the band's many performances, one of the most meaningful came recently with a Selena tribute at Marble. Creating the tribute required considerable preparation, but the result made all that work worthwhile. "I think that was, for me, our most special."
Guitar player and father to Leah and Rebekah, Moses Leyva agreed, noting how much effort went into developing the performance. "I think that we put a lot of work into developing that," expressed Leyva. "We did her last concert. And so, after all was said and done, it was very satisfying."
The performance also reinforced what playing together has meant to the musicians personally. "And I gotta say, playing music with this group has been one of my favorites of all time," shared Moses. "Of my whole adventure in music."
That sentiment captures something essential about Funky Gatos. While the band has earned recognition and continues to develop its musical identity, there's genuine joy in simply making music together. And sometimes that joy comes from being able to do something none of them could create alone.
The band's current schedule may be quieter in September, but that doesn't mean the music has stopped. Instead, the month is for rehearsals and preparation, while the group remains available for bookings. "In September, we don't have anything," they laughed. "We have rehearsals. We have availability for all to get ready."
Then comes the invitation: "We're available. So book us, please!"
For audiences who want to keep up with the band and find out when the next performance is scheduled, social media is currently the best place to look. Funky Gatos maintains an Instagram presence @funky.gatos, while members also share information through their personal social media accounts. The band also has a website, although the musicians readily admit it could use some attention. "And we have a website, but it's not...it needs a little love," says Leah with a smile. "Instagram is probably best."
That candid assessment feels fitting for a band that has spent years allowing its sound to evolve naturally. Funky Gatos isn't trying to fit neatly into one category. Its music reflects the family's individual talents, influences, heritage, and willingness to experiment.
Over 14 years, those individual pieces have come together to create something distinctive: a family band that can take familiar songs and give them an entirely different feel.
With an award now added to its list of accomplishments and plenty of room for future performances, Funky Gatos continues to build on the musical tradition that brought the family together in the first place. The result is energetic, unexpected, and deeply personal—a reminder that sometimes the best musical collaborations begin right at home.
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