The Psychedelic Journey of QUESTA

I first met Emilio in the summer of 2022 when we worked as production assistants together. I was the very green, very nervous, new hire in starchy blouses – he was the laid back, confident, veteran in combat boots. His creative aura was immediate, his personality magnetic – and on top of all of that? He was incredibly supportive – becoming one of the first people on set I felt successfully guided by. But Emilio was destined for bigger things, and I was destined to have stress dreams about delivering an actor the wrong kind of tea. I like to think that we have both been very successful. Emilio has invited me to show after show over the years, all of which I have been unable to attend. But recently, I finally got to see my old production buddy in action. When we chatted after the show, I raved to him about his performance – he cheekily (albeit kindly) rolled his eyes and said, “I’ve been trying to get you here for years!”

Despite being invited many a time before, I had no idea what to expect when I walked into Nublu on a rainy March evening. The club space of the independent record company feels like a 70’s fever dream, with red lighting and an open dance floor paired with revolving clips of the very best in Jazz lining the walls. When I stepped down a few stairs by the entrance, to the sounds of a wailing saxophone, I couldn’t help but feel like Greta Gerwig’s Disco Barbie, despite being in a plain black mini skirt and a too-yellow rain jacket. As you step further into Nublu, there is a stage that leads up to a second floor balcony – a dreamscape layout for an up-and-coming band. With audience members in front of you, beside you, and above you, the challenge to bring down the house is even more severe — and more fun. QUESTA, made up of Emilio Cuesta on lead guitar and vocals, Emily Friedman on synth and vocals, Moise Scott on drums, and Kyle McManus (with Alex Taub filling in) on bass, had no trouble meeting that challenge head on.

Maybe it was the fantastically structured risers that the stage was set up on, maybe it was the fact that it was the Ides of March, but from the moment that Emilio stepped on stage to let out a guttural scream in full white face paint, the energy in the room became addictive. QUESTA played the longest set of the three bands on the bill that night, closing out the evening with a striking cover of, “Psycho Killer,” leaving me and the rest of the crowd wanting more. Joey Asbel, a longtime fan of the band, even went as far as to say that it was one of the best performances he had seen the band do. “I’ve seen them in a lot of different venues and a lot of different formats and I think that tonight at Nublu was the best set up of QUESTA that I have seen. There was more life brought out of the same set of songs that I’ve heard many times before. And everyone was glowing up there.”

When I finally got to chat with Emilio after the show, the Nublu crew had turned on the fluorescents, and we were slowly, but surely, being ushered out. Still, Emilio answered all of my questions earnestly and thoughtfully, only pausing a few dozen times to shake the hand of or hug every fan or friend who came to congratulate him on his show while we were talking.

Why is the name of your band, QUESTA?

Emilio Cuesta: ”People have always thought my last name starts with a “Q” anyway. I remember waking up one morning, and seeing it in bright lights and all caps in a daydream. I also wanted to have a reference to the quest I am trying to take people on with my music –  like a psychedelic quest!” 

What got you into music?

Emilio Cuesta: "I was in a musical, actually. Greg Kotis who created Urinetown cast me in a musical, but then the pandemic hit. I got stuck in my house and I just started writing music. Over the next few years I started making fans and sharing the love and it just kind of happened – but it was originally from pursuing acting.”

Are you still interested in acting? I know you also do some television and directing work, so how do you find that balance between all of your interests?

Emilio Cuesta: “I am yeah, I still do some acting. It’s still something I enjoy. And it’s funny – I don’t know. Sometimes I’ll pick a month. Like, March is music month, April is directing month, May is acting month, but there is also a lot of intermingling. I work at a rental house, and even though it’s a 9 to 5 job, it allows me to pursue all of the things I’m interested in which I think really is the goal for any artist.”

Do you think that it’s important for artists to do various things within the entertainment industry?

Emilio Cuesta: “I think, honestly, it’s important to do whatever you want to do. You could wear any hat you want. Nobody should limit us. Tonight I was a singer and tomorrow I’m going to sleep in. I don’t think it matters. Stay true to yourself – I know it sounds like bullshit but you know what? It’s true.”

Do you think there’s a character you’re playing on stage?

Emilio Cuesta: “Yes, definitely. It’s sort of like — have you ever seen the Exorcist? It’s like the demon in the Exorcist. It’s like something takes over me. I wear face makeup and enter a new dimension with this character. It’s almost like I’m the vessel. Emilio is the vessel for something darker and deeper. That’s kind of the idea.”

How would you define your sound?

Emilio Cuesta: ”I’d define it as a mix between Radiohead and The Strokes and a little bit of Pink Floyd. I like to keep it weird but also accessible. That’s very important. I want it to appeal to the masses but also make my own mind-bending sound.”

Is there a specific artist that inspires you?

Emilio Cuesta: “John Lennon. The Beatles. Thom Yorke. I think Julian Casablancas is one of the best vocalists of all time. Nobody else can hit that falsetto but also scream like he can. I’d love to have that kind of range. On the other hand I’m constantly seeing my ENT to get a laryngoscopy – but I’m having a good time and that’s what’s important to me.”

What are you listening to right now?

Emilio Cuesta: ”Oooo – right now I’ve been listening to a lot of Mac DeMarco, a lot of Nirvana, a lot of Tame Impala. Stuff I’m already familiar with that inspires me.”

What track would you recommend to a first-time QUESTA listener?

Emilio Cuesta: “‘Feedin’’ for sure.”

What’s next for QUESTA?

Emilio Cuesta: “We are going to Los Angeles to play The Roxy on March 29th! Which is huge. We’re opening up for an artist named Dounia. She believes in me and I believe in her and we’re psyched to be getting the opportunity.” 

Emilio left me with a big hug and a slew of thanks for interviewing him. He said that he couldn’t wait to see what I do too — reminding me that at the end of the day, the core of QUESTA is about standing up for the underdog and uniting friends new and old through the power of some damn good music.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area on March 29th, head over to The Roxy to hear QUESTA in person. You can get tickets, here.

Check out some of my favorite QUESTA tracks paired with some old favorites in the playlist below!