When Esteban Flores, the Chicano artist behind Slow Joy, began releasing music in 2020, it was meant as a personal outlet, a way to process grief and find creative ground. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s joining INOHA on their Across America tour, only this time with not one but two albums under his belt. His self-described “Southwest emo” sound first came into focus with the May release of A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming, and now just months later he’s followed it with the surprise drop of A Joy Even Slower on October 10. The two-album stretch marks a stunning creative ascent with one rooted in heartache, transformation and a rock-driven urgency ready to be felt live.

Now, Flores is taking both albums on the road, bringing his vulnerable yet explosive live show to cities across the country. The tour’s fall run includes a stop at Globe Hall in Denver on November 1, a city that’s quickly become one of his favorites. “I’ve never had a bad time in Colorado,” he says. “The people are incredibly nice and the scenery is gorgeous. It’s a favorite stop on every tour.”

The record itself is a powerful mix of melancholy and hope, a reflection of life’s messiness captured through heavy guitars and heart-on-sleeve lyrics. Working with producer Mike Sapone (known for his work with The Front Bottoms and Oso Oso), Flores crafted an album that channels grief into motion, a testament to transformation through sound. “Once the songs are out, they aren’t just mine anymore,” he says. “I love that about music.”

On stage, Slow Joy is anything but still. Known for high-energy, emotionally charged performances, Flores and his bandmates blur the line between catharsis and chaos. When asked what fans can expect from a live show, he keeps it simple: “Loud rock music from a guy and his homies.” It’s a modest description for a performance that often leaves the audience both breathless and reflective.

He’s also not afraid to take creative risks. His recent cover of The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” strips the track to its emotional core, reshaping the classic into something raw and uniquely his own. “I just love The Smiths and that song,” he says. “I’ve never done a recorded cover and playing that one felt right. I’m a pretty huge fan of melancholy.”

As Slow Joy continues to evolve, Flores seems intent on honoring the honesty that built his music from the beginning, creating connection through shared emotion and imperfection

Check out our conversation below!

[Rooster]: You’re heading to Colorado for your show at Globe Hall on November 1. What are you most looking forward to about playing here?

[Slow Joy]: I’ve never had a bad time in Colorado! The people are incredibly nice and the scenery is gorgeous. It’s a favorite stop on every tour. I don’t know if I have one thing I’m looking forward to the most because I enjoy so many things about the area.

For fans catching you live for the first time, how would you describe a Slow Joy show?

Loud rock music from a guy and his homies 🙂

Your debut album A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming dropped in May. How have these songs evolved now that you’ve been performing them on tour?

I feel like every time I tour a new song I find fun new elements to add. The songs almost get better the more I tour them. This new record has definitely been on of my favorites to play live

You’ve been calling your sound “Southwest emo.” How do you think that energy translates on stage compared to in the studio?

I’m not sure. Live music In person is definitely an experience i think everyone should feel at least once in their lives. But ultimately, the songs speak for themselves in my opinion!

You recently covered The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.” What drew you to that track, and how did you approach reimagining such an iconic song?

I just love The Smiths and that song. I’ve never done a recorded cover and playing that one felt right. I’m a pretty huge fan of melancholy.

You’ve shared that Slow Joy began as a way to process grief. Has being on tour and connecting with fans changed the way you relate to your music now?

Once the songs are out they aren’t just mine anymore. I love that about music.

What can fans expect from this new run with Inoha? Are there any surprises or changes in the setlist?

You’ll have to come to a show and see!

If someone walks out of Globe Hall after your set, what’s the feeling you hope they leave with?

Accepted.