Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Peña.
Hi Victor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started playing music around the age of 13. My first instrument was bass guitar, and I challenged myself to learn a new song every day. Later, I got my first electric guitar for my birthday and fell even deeper into rock and metal, learning as much as I could. Eventually, I wanted to be like the musicians I admired, so I began writing my own music. It wasn’t great at first, but I kept practicing, kept experimenting, and slowly got better. Along the way, I even taught myself how to record.
Fast-forward to today: I’m 25, and after writing a few songs for a new project, I decided it was time to form a band. The first member to join was Nola, our drummer. Nola introduced me to their friend Summer, who had just started learning bass but was improving incredibly fast so I brought them into the band as well. Not long after, one of my close friends, Lo, moved back to Dallas. They were looking for a band, and with their talent and musicianship, it was an easy yes.
Together, they’ve become some of the most talented, kind, and supportive people I know. They’re my best friends, and they’re the reason this band feels like home.
In just our first year, we’ve already played shows all across DFW, steadily grown our social media presence, and built a community around our music. And even though we’re only getting started, we have big plans for the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Before Summer, Nola, and Lo joined, there was actually an entirely different lineup. Unfortunately, things just didn’t click the way we hoped. The chemistry wasn’t there, and it became clear that the fit wasn’t right for the direction I wanted the band to go. After those early challenges, I regrouped and began looking for new members and that’s when the current lineup of Dead Skin came together. It was a turning point, and everything finally started to fall into place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a musician in the broadest sense I write music, play guitar, bass, and drums, and I even sing a little. I’ve always loved exploring different parts of the creative process. Early on, I spent time making covers on YouTube, and that eventually evolved into something I really enjoyed: transforming pop songs into rock or alternative versions.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not limited to just one role. I’m heavily involved in every aspect of the music from writing and arranging to performing and shaping the overall sound. I love taking ideas from different genres and reimagining them through my own style.
What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown creatively and technically over the years. Every instrument I learned, every cover I made, and every experiment I tried helped shape the sound I bring to Dead Skin today.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about money or status it’s simply about being genuinely happy with where you are in life. You don’t need a million dollars to feel fulfilled. If you’re doing something you love, surrounded by people who support you, and you feel good about the path you’re on, that’s real success to me. It’s the feeling of being content and proud of what you’re doing right now.
Pricing:
- As a band, we don’t have standard pricing or products in the traditional sense.
- We keep our show tickets affordable whenever possible and often play all-ages events.
- Any future merch or releases will be priced with accessibility in mind so fans can support us without breaking the bank.
Contact Info:
- Website: deadskinmerch.com for merch
- Instagram: @deadskinband @ewvincent
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ewvincent?si=9H2-N0NqOcVe1H6W
Image Credits
@keno_dfw
@jadealexphoto
