Origen (band) - Band Members

Band Members

Mirs – lead vocals

• Maria Isabel Rueda was born in Quito, Ecuador. She studied at "La Presentación" where she became known as MIRS as it was shorter than saying her full name. As a young girl, her passion (inspired by her father) was sports and she excelled in basketball and gymnastics. At an early age, Mirs fell in love with music and enjoyed her parents preferred artists such as Rocio Durcal and the Gipsy Kings, which she would sing along to with her grandfather. She was exposed to a variety of genres thanks to her two older sisters but Spanish Rock was the standout for her. However, it was not until she turned 16 and was living in Florida, that she embarked on what is now her passion... Origen! She co-founded the band with high school friends who were all looking for a hobby that provided a creative, healthy environment and future.

Antonio Couto – drums, percussion

• Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Tonio's interest in music began very early. He was influenced by his older brother and cousin who listened to and were part of the "80's Rock" movement. At 11 years old, Tonio joined the school band, this was the first time he played percussion. However, it did not last long as a year later the family moved to the United States. Though he quickly got used to a whole new lifestyle in the states, it took four years before he would pick up an instrument again. At 16, Tonio worked for four months at a grocery store to raise enough money to buy his first drum kit. At that point, he began playing with his church choir, as well as with friends and later formed what became Origen. Tonio has taken classes with Bob Marley's former drummer. Not just a drummer, Tonio takes part in the songwriting process and composes both music and lyrics.

Hector Velasquez – lead guitar, backing vocals

• Hector was born in Caracas, Venezuela. His interest in music began at 13 years old, when his father gave his older brother his first electric guitar. Though it belonged to his brother, he loved the way it looked and would pick it up from time to time. Encouraged by his mother, he started taking private guitar lessons all the while dreaming of playing major league baseball. The guitar started out as a hobby, but at 17, Hector began to take music much more seriously influenced by musicians such as Noel Gallagher, Gustavo Cerati, Carlos Santana, Slash, The Edge, Tom Morello. Soon, along with a couple of friends, he formed a band called Stereotipos in Caracas. Not long after, he moved to South Florida, where he joined the bands Trilogy, Symbiosis y Decibeles. Eventually, he becomes part of Origen thanks to Carlos Leal who was also a member of one of his previous bands. As lead guitarist for Origen, Hector began to develop as a songwriter, there is great chemistry and before long the sound we recognize today as Origen was born.

Ruben Martinez – bass guitar, backing vocals

• Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Ruben was always exposed to music as a boy and inherited his love of music from his father who is a guitarist. Although the guitar was the primary instrument played at home, Ruben was always looking for another instrument that would be more fulfilling. He finally found what he was looking for in the electric bass. Origen afforded Ruben the opportunity, for the first time, to be part of a band, where despite his limited experience he was fully embraced and began to grow as a musician as well as a person.