“At the rare intersection of Oklahoma City’s burgeoning indie scene and contemporary Latino multiculturalismo, Late Night Messages carves space for genuine connection through honest music. By shaking up an eclectic cocktail of genre—Latin pop, alt-rock, J-pop, chillhop—principal singer-songwriter Jonathan Martinez serves many points of welcome to his musical lounge. Late Night Messages is a dream born of humble bedroom studio origins and manifested in fan-direct community” – Jarvix (Make Oklahoma Weirder)
How did you get started?
As a pre-teen, my mom pushed my sister and I to apply and get into Classen School of Advanced Studies (SAS). From there, I was blessed to be able to study guitar and piano in school. As I grew as a musician, I decided I needed to learn how to produce music. So with a borrowed laptop and borrowed software, I taught myself how to write and record myself. I saw burgeoning artists Cuco and Omar Apollo making something out of themselves from being independent, and it inspired me to take that step. Years later, I got to be part of my friend’s bands and then get to form the Late Night Messages (LNM) band around my already released music.
Did you always want a career in the music industry?
My mom has this Christmas activity that I filled out when I was a kid in elementary school. What I asked from Santa was, although horribly misspelled, a guitar. I think music was in my sight from the beginning.
What are your most recent successes / placements / accomplishments / projects and or career highlights?
In 2020, I got accepted to be part of a recording residency with the record label Future Classic. I was supposed to fly to California to record music with producers, but due to Covid, plans had to shift. Luckily, I got to have one of my own songs be part of their “Shelter in Place” Compilation.
This past year, I got to work on and release the Imposter Syndrome EP with my friends and bandmates. Our very own Mike Manning also made/recorded his own High-Quality Cassettes and CD’s for some of Late Night Messages’ discography, which includes our latest EP, working on the art with local artist Brian Henderson Jr.
We hit some of my goal venues/festivals to perform at in 2025: Resonant Head, Factory Obscura and the Plaza District Festival.
We’re lucky to also have worked with Factory Obscura again for their Mix Tape Volume 7, and I’m really excited for everyone to hear what we wrote and recorded together.
What is your favorite Oklahoma music venue, music store or recording studio?
51st Street Speakeasy is the first venue that comes to mind. I’ve been able to perform there with old friends, and again with my new friends and bandmates. The atmosphere is cozy, the staff is great (Shout-out to Greg, Mike and Bryce), and I’ve probably had the most fun as an audience member dancing and witnessing amazing local talent.
If I may, I also want to highlight some of my favorite Oklahoma photographers/videographers I’ve gotten the chance to meet and work with: Ulises Daniel Rivera Larrondo, Cruz Pulido, Sharik Cervantes, Maria Nairn, and Luis De La Rosa.
Networking and connecting with others who share your dream or vision is a vital aspect to the music industry. Can you share which Oklahoma organizations (if any) have contributed to your success and are there Oklahoma organization you would recommend other connect with? To help further their craft or promotion?
KOSU offers local radio play on The Spy, and is one of my earliest memories of getting to be featured as an Oklahoma musician, back in the days when Late Night Messages was a one-man band. It was really cool to get that opportunity, and we got to work with them again in promotion of our EP release show at Resonant Head in 2025.
Factory Obscura also comes to mind. They have lots of different events throughout the year, and we luckily got the chance to have performed there twice so far, and we’re getting ready for our third go for the Future of Sound Fest. Lindsey Cox and the Factory Obscura team have been so kind and welcoming, and I get the sense they truly want to highlight local talent, and it’s not just music. Our first show at Factory Obscura, as part of their Future of Sound Sessions, we got to work with artist Saray Suarez where we played the music while they did live art and projections.
Late Night Messages would love to be part of SixTwelve’s Music Residency this year, I think what they’re providing is a chance to focus on recording/mixing/mastering, touring or video production for bands without the ever present worry of money.
What are some of the benefits of having a music career in Oklahoma?
There are all kinds of music coming out of Oklahoma, and I feel that there are so many things that have come recently, or have yet to come, that bring this “fresh” feeling that you may not get in the established Los Angeles/Chicago/Nashville. Fanwave, All Good Distribution, True Love Shows, are some recent Oklahoma things I’ve been excited about. I also don’t feel that any of the local bands are gatekeepers, but rather supporters of any bands that are starting or trying to build a fanbase. It’s really cool to see, and I think it will continue to be encouraging for everyone.
What are you working on now or next?
We’re working on providing great shows so we’re tightening our groove/bond as a band, and we also want to make time to work on writing/recording more music.
Where can people keep up with you and your work?
Late Night Messages Website: https://latenightmessages.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latenight.messages/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNightMessages
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
