Behind The Scenes: Death of the last beautiful jaguar
- spiralhtx
- Feb 6
- 8 min read
"We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. "- Charles Bukowski
The intricate melodies , cerebral lyrical stylings go beyond the expected with Death of the Last Beautiful Jaguar. The Houston born and raised artist , challenges the audience to not only hear but to earnestly feel with each creation.
Experimentation with intention , reminiscent of legends like Brian Eno or Pink Turns Blue but with the emotional vulnerability of Chavela Vargas and Robert Smith .
Death Of the Last Beautiful Jaguar is precise in execution of their craft , carrying the torch to a place where raw skill , world building and literary depth , reigns supreme in a world where synthetic A.I looms . Their music allows listeners to not only dance but to sonically traverse new audio horizons. We take a further look into The Death Of The Last Beautiful Jaguar.
Q&A With Tony , The Last Beautiful Jaguar
Who are you , Where are you from?
LBJ: I’m Tony, born and raised right here in Houston, Texas.
What made you decide to become a musician/artist?
LBJ: I’ve always been fascinated by music and string instruments in particular. I started out playing the viola in middle school orchestra, which I still play now on occasion. I started playing guitar in middle school after being inspired by Jack White of the White Stripes. They were my favorite band as a kid before I started branching out to other genres.
What is the history behind your artist name?
LBJ: I went back and forth on a name for a while when I was writing my first album. I made my decision after reading Charles Bukowski’s last poem, which was also his first poem written on a fax machine. In it, he remarks on succumbing to the inevitable, which I think is a very powerful idea.
It forces us to examine the paths that we’re on both as individuals and as a human race, and where those paths will lead us. In the poem, he writes
“oh forgive me, the death of the last beautiful panther.”
I loved that line in particular (but I like the sound of Jaguar more than panther haha). I like that the name encompasses themes of environmentalism, death, and beauty.
What further cemented my decision was learning about the last Jaguar in Texas, which was hunted and killed in the mid-1900s. I think it’s a horrible story that highlights the tendency of mankind to exploit and destroy the beauty of the world we live in.
When did you begin making music and how has your process changed between the start of vs now?
LBJ: Ever since I started playing guitar in middle school, I’d record riffs or lyrical ideas here and there. It wasn’t until COVID that I actually started collecting recording gear and putting ideas together, though.
The fundamentals of my writing process have not really changed since I started- a song usually starts with a bass riff or a guitar/keyboard idea, which I match to something in my lyric book.
From there, I either abandon the idea if I lose interest, or I bring it into Ableton.
Then I spend months trying out different ideas and developing the song into something that I can be proud of. The mixing and mastering process takes the longest because I do everything myself, and I still have a lot to learn in that regard.
What made you decide to learn your instrument(s)?
LBJ: I liked playing the viola a lot but I felt very limited in my musical expression with that instrument, so I switched to the electric guitar. I really enjoy the broad range of sounds you can get with different pedals and techniques. There's so much you can do, it's something I feel like I can never get bored with.
What inspired you to write your catalog?
LBJ: I started writing my first album during the covid lockdowns, which I hear a lot of artists say.
I think people realized that there would never be another opportunity like that again, plus all that time spent alone encouraged self-reflection.
That's true for me, anyway. I might've never finished the record, but I gave myself a hard deadline (Halloween 2021), and my job at the time allowed me to work from anywhere, so I rented an apartment in Rome for a month to both immerse myself in inspiration and to be isolated from distractions. When I came home, I released the record.
My second album came three years later. A big reason I decided to continue the project was due to a band from Mexico City called Blood Dance. Asanti, the lead singer, reached out to me one day on Instagram and said that my music had been recommended to him, and asked if I would be interested in opening for them for a show in Houston.
I had never played live before but I always wanted to, so I got to work on putting a set together. The show was a success, and not even a month later, I was asked to open for Prayers at White Oak Music Hall. I never would've expected that opportunity, but it forced Jaguar to quickly become a living, breathing project.
Playing live made me realize that I had a lot more to say and do, which got me to start writing my second album, Dreaming, Drowning.
What would you say to other artists or creatives who are wanting to create as well?
LBJ: You absolutely have to do it. Seriously, start today. We're living in a time where AI and algorithms discourage raw, human art, so we need to fight back. Be weird, break rules, and make something that is your own. It doesn't matter if nobody listens- find inspiration and keep going. You don't have a choice- if you don't let that creative vision out into the world, then it'll eat you alive from the inside.
How has the process been creating your album
LBJ: It's long and frustrating, but ultimately very rewarding. Every song I've ever written has taken me to great highs and deep lows. I always start with a strong belief in the idea, and at some point I lose that and start to doubt myself, my vision, my identity, everything.
I start asking myself, am I being too vulnerable or not vulnerable enough? When I am able to push through the writing process, the recording process breaks me down every time.
There are so many ways you can mix and master - weeks go by and you eventually can't tell if you're making things better or worse. But every now and then, the original idea either refuses to die or becomes something even better, and I end up with something that I like.
It's hard to describe, but seeing your idea come to life through hard work is extremely satisfying, and to take it further, finding out that it actually resonates with people or inspires them to dance is truly one of the greatest feelings.
What are you looking forward to with your album/track?
LBJ: This past year, 2025, I've been playing a lot of shows and developing my live sound. Now that I'm slowing down and getting back to writing, I'm looking forward to bringing that experience into new music. There's certain parts of songs that are just really fun to play live, and I want to do more with that and develop this project even further.
Also, the state of the world right now is making me extremely eager to write. I'm furious about ICE, police brutality, the government, corporate greed, AI, and so many other things. I'm also enamored with the beauty in the world and inspired by my friends who are making music and art.
Lyrically what have been your favorite tracks in your discography and your most recent releases?
LBJ:That's a great question. I wrote Catacombs during a period of strong emotions, and I'm proud of how those lyrics reflect my feelings at the time. I also had a lot of fun writing House of Shadows, which is meant to be a shameless celebration of the darkness in the world, like kitchy Halloween decorations and horror films.
And lastly, I have to mention Debridement from my first record. Those lyrics were inspired by the guitar riff, which I heard as both sad and nostalgic. I didn't realize it when I was writing it, but since its release, I've come to learn that lots of people have experience in desperately wanting to forget someone or something. It means so much to me that people resonate with that track.
What is one track /lyrics/ piece of art in your catalog that describes your work the best?
LBJ: It's not one of my more popular songs, but regardless, Gargoyle best captures what I originally set out to do with this project. It's the first song I wrote and that's why I always insist on playing it first in my live sets.
I like that it sounds dark and menacing. The riff is simple and repetitive, but it's so fun to play. The drums are ridiculous and the bass line is aggressive and in your face. When I am struggling with creative choices in new tracks, I always find direction in that song.
What is your most recent tour you’d like to share or what has been your favorite so far?
LBJ: I had the opportunity to join Temptrix on part of their tour this past year and I had a ton of fun. It was awesome getting to experience different cities in Texas that way because each region is so different. I don't know if I ever would have experienced Laredo or McAllen otherwise.
I also found what feels like a second home in San Antonio - the people were incredibly fun to hang out with and the goth scene there is thriving. And of course Austin is a dreamland for live music. Being able to take part in that in a small way is extremely gratifying.
If you could make a dream tour, Who would be your dream tour mates?
LBJ: It would be poetic to go on tour with Blood Dance, the band that encouraged me to play my first show. I would also relish the opportunity to represent the scene here in Texas with my local artist friends, Civic Duties, Stereoccult, Night Ritualz, Trans Parent, and Sinclair Noire. In a real fantasy scenario, it would be a dream come true to open for my favorite bands, Lebanon Hanover, Loeonora Post Punk, and Forever Grey.
Coke or Pepsi?
LBJ: Ha, that's a funny question. I had bad acne when I was a kid so in an attempt to clear up my complexion, I stopped drinking soda entirely. Now I can't have more than a sip without being overwhelmed by the sweetness and carbonation! But if I had to choose one, I'm inclined to vote for the underdog, so Pepsi it is!
What do you want the listeners to know about your music and your project?
LBJ: I'm 100% DIY and solo, so a lot of time and effort goes into every aspect of this project, from the lyrics and guitar riffs, to the mixing and mastering, and even to the live sets and merch. That being said, I couldn't do it without my friends Daniel and Eli, who accompany me on bass, or my friends who come out to shows and dance, or my friends who help me book shows, or take pictures, or buy merch. Even a solo project like this takes a village, and I am forever grateful.
Death of the Last Beautiful Jaguar is currently on tour , more dates to be announced!
🩸2/7 - @wonkypower (HTX)
🩸3/15 - @kickbuttcoffee (ATX)
🩸3/29 - @thekickbackbar (HTX)
