It will mean a lot to Blanca Sandoval, singer/songwriter of the band called Blanca, when her name is on the Fox Theatre's marquee.


"I always wanted to play that place, the big Fox," Sandoval said. "So it's just so cool. A few years back, I went to the Fox to see Malo. And I told my friend, 'One day, I'm going to open up for this band.' And she laughed. And I said, 'I'm serious! And one day, I'm going to play this theater. Watch.' And sure enough, I'm doing it."


Blanca returns as part of a vibrant Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Redwood City venue on May 6. The concert is headlined by Malo and also features Lava.


"Being part of this concert, I feel blessed. It's great to do something you love and get support for it," said Sandoval.


Her manager, Bernardo "Dr. Rock" Gonzales, provides a strong support system, she said. "He took me on and put me under his wing and it's been good."


A lot of drive


Sandoval's own dedication has been a vital element of her emergence.


"It has to do with a lot of drive. I don't let anybody put me down or tell me, 'You can't do this.' I don't let that rain on my parade. I just focus on what I need to do. I vocalize all the time. I practice three, four times a week with the band, and I practice on my own. We're currently releasing a new CD, which is in the works. God willing, it will be out by summer. It's edgier."


Sandoval's music has, 


over the years, woven in folk, country, hip-hop and traditional Mexican elements. Her current CD is "Mi Musica." But on the new album, rock moves more to the fore. The constant in her work has always been honest, intense emotion.

"This new one still has a lot of soul, a lot of feeling. It's in English and in Spanish. This is definitely a grown-up CD."


It would have been out by now, but Sandoval's mother passed away and the artist stepped away for several months. The Fox date marks her return.


"I went through a lot of pain and grief. It has been hard to get back on track after that happened. But I'm back now. Things happen for a reason. And my mom was an inspiration in my life and she still is. She sang herself, that's how I learned. So I look at pictures and see everything she accomplished and I want to do that and more. It was a huge loss for me. But she has always been a huge gain for me."



Music helped Sandoval get through the pain.


"I cried a lot, but come March, I started grabbing my guitar and singing, getting together with my band again. And we're going strong again. There's one particular song that heals me, that's going on the new CD. It's called 'Yesterday,' and I wrote it for her. That one kind of brings tears to my eyes. But I'm a strong individual. I'll survive it."


Sandoval lived in Mexico until she was 8. But much of her early childhood was spent on tour with her performing parents. "They inspired me to love music and to work with music."


When her parents split up, her father had Sandoval and her sister Alma sing at special events as a duo. "It was in the blood. I was raised musically."


During many of her formative years, Sandoval lived in Oakland. Now based in Castro Valley, she began writing songs at age 12.


"I started writing poetry in school, even in math class. I would get melodies in my head, but I wouldn't know how to attach them to the poetry.


"My dad taught me guitar at an early age and, one day, I had this melody in my head and I just started adding lyrics to it. I went up to my dad, who's a songwriter himself, and said, 'Look, Daddy, look what I did!' And he said, 'That's great,' but he also explained to me about song structure.


"And from that day, songwriting has been my life. That's how I express myself, my feelings. I don't just write about myself. I like writing about other people's heartbreaks, as well, things that I see, injustices. I like writing about anything and everything."



Started in South Bay


As a solo artist, Sandoval shared her songs at Bay Area music venues. "It's hard to get started in this industry, especially being a woman. It's hard to make people believe you can do this. You've got to show them. Little by little, I've made a name for myself."


In 2005 and 2006, her compositions were honored in the Cancion Latino Americano songwriting competition.


Sandoval has assembled a stellar band, with guitarist Roberto Zamora, drummer Mike Juarez and bassist Oscar Tablada.


"The band has become a family. They are my brothers. I truly believe that."


Responses to the band have been encouraging. "So many people come up to me and say how much they like the songs and how much the songs mean to them. That makes me so proud and so happy. ...


"I do this because I love music and that passion will never stop. It's not about the money. If money comes, that's great, I'll do a lot of positive things with it.


"Whatever comes is in God's hands. But music is the air I breathe. Without it, I'm like a fish without water. That's how I felt during those months after my mom. There was this huge depression. But now that I'm back into the music, I feel like I can breathe again."





E-mail Paul Freeman at Paul@popcultureclassics.com.



Music preview


What: Malo, Lava, Blanca
Where: Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
When: 8 p.m. May 6
Tickets: $20-$25; 650-369-7770; www.foxrwc.com
Artist website:
www.blancasmusic.net