Today we’d like to introduce you to Conjunto 404.
Conjunto 404, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We started out as a group of friends at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, just playing guitar together during our free time. What began as casual jam sessions eventually turned into something more serious when we decided to officially form a band in October 2024. The current members are Juan Flores (lead singer), Oscar Avila (bass player), Jeff Villanueva (accordion), Chris Mariano (guitar and saxophone), and Jose Hernandez-Serrano (drummer).
Our first official performance was at a Gala for Georgia State University. We didn’t even own equipment at the time—we rented everything. But the response from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive, and that encouragement pushed us to keep going. Since then, we’ve performed at house parties, public events, school functions, and even hosted our own concert in collaboration with another local group, dj, and food vendors.
One of our most memorable shows was at a Hispanic Tailgate at the University of Georgia on a game-day weekend. We performed in front of nearly 500 people and caught everyone by surprise. The energy from the crowd that day was unreal and confirmed that we were on the right path. We’ve since built up our setlist to over 60 songs and continue to grow musically.
Recently, we performed at Cristo Rey’s annual Heritage Day, which holds a special place in our hearts. This year’s performance was particularly meaningful because it felt like our best yet—right in front of the teachers, staff, and classmates who’ve supported us from day one. Another standout moment was our event “Vibras de Noche” at Underground Atlanta’s MOM SAID ITS FINE. We teamed up with Gente de Noche and brought Regional Mexican music to a venue that doesn’t usually host our genre. The crowd showed up strong, and industry feedback was amazing.
Through it all, we give thanks to God for the blessings we’ve received and to our families who believed in us from the beginning. Many of our early shows were thanks to family members opening doors for us. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their love and support.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely had its challenges. We’ve dealt with broken equipment, car issues on the way to gigs, and tough business decisions. Like any new group, it was hard at first to get booked. But we took every chance we got—no matter how small—and we practiced constantly.
There were times people didn’t take us seriously. Some even joked that we weren’t a “real” band. But we used that doubt as motivation. The more we performed, the more respect we earned. Every obstacle made us more resilient, and every win reminded us why we started.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in Regional Mexican music, specifically Norteñas with a focus on Norteño sax. What makes us different is not just the genre—but our age. Most of us are still in high school, and our manager, Samuel Avila, is only 21. It’s rare to see young musicians in Atlanta performing Norteñas, and that alone makes people stop and pay attention.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come in such a short time. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve stayed together, stayed motivated, and stayed passionate. We’re in this because we genuinely love the music, and that love shows in every performance. Our youth, our bond, and our dedication to preserving and celebrating our culture through music are what truly set us apart.
Contact Info:
