The Sunshine and the Shadow: A Session with Katzù Oso

Jordyn Mayes
Dec 16, 2025
3 min read

Katzù Oso talks the therapy of songwriting, honoring his Latino roots, and why he’ll always write music for his teenage self.

When it comes to synth-pop, few artists manage to bridge the gap between "bedroom intimacy" and "festival grandeur" as seamlessly as Katzù Oso. Born and raised in the vibrant corridors of East LA and Boyle Heights, Paul Hernandez, the man behind the Luchador mask, has spent years crafting a melodic universe that feels like a warm afternoon in the California sun, even when the lyrics lean into the shade.

With two buzzworthy EPs (Colour and Pastel) and his debut album Tmí behind him, Oso is no longer just a bedroom producer; he is a Latino artist redefining what it means to be "young, brown, and gifted" in America today.

The Geometry of Inspiration

For Hernandez, the geography of Los Angeles isn't just home; it doubles as a collaborator.

"I love my city. Inspiration is everywhere," he shares. "I’m 20 minutes away from the beach or 30 minutes away from the mountains."

When writer’s block strikes, he returns to the basics, an acoustic guitar and a change of scenery. This connection to the "LA sunshine" is audible in every track, though perhaps not in the way you’d expect.

"Even my darker songs live in warm tones," he explains. "I want the music to feel like light hitting something worn down- beautiful, imperfect, and very real."

Stepping Into the Mask

The name Katzù Oso began as an alter ego, a safe space for Hernandez to process his world. Visually, this transformation is marked by a Luchador mask, a powerful nod to his Latino culture and a symbol of the "hero’s journey" he charts through Boyle Heights.

But as his career has progressed, the line between the man and the mask has blurred. "I feel like a different person when I’m on stage," Hernandez admits. On his latest record, the two finally met.

"I wrote more about my personal life and less about other people’s relationships. I had to dig into parts of me I was embarrassed to talk about. It felt like Paul was at a therapy session and my therapist was Katzù Oso."

High Notes and Heritage

Musically, Oso is a shapeshifter. Inspired by the soul and disco of the '70s- the music his father played during his upbringing- he recently challenged himself to write entirely in falsetto.

"Singing in falsetto lets me explore melodies I wouldn’t normally write in my chest voice," he says, citing icons like Barry Gibb, Brian Wilson, and Frankie Valli as mental blueprints.

"I’m less afraid of hitting notes I can’t normally hit. It might sound silly when I’m writing, but it finds its shape."

This vintage sensibility extends to his production. Whether it’s a '70s-style Rhodes piano or a subtle vocoder, the choice is never forced.

"I do what the song wants. With La Conexion, I had a foundation of instruments I wanted to use so it all sounded cohesive and intentional."

From the Bedroom to the Main Stage

Despite opening for Tyler the Creator and playing massive festivals like ACL and Tropicalia, Hernandez remains a "bedroom artist" at heart. For him, the scale of the audience doesn't change the intent of the song.

"My music is intended for those hopeless romantics that just want a quick sonic getaway," he reflects. He thinks back to his high school days, walking home with headphones on- moments where music felt like a private, personal secret.

"I like to think I’m writing for the teenage version of myself. My favorite songs are still the ones I write in my bedroom... I never want that to change."

A Multi-Faceted Universe

Signed to Cosmica Artists and currently working on his highly anticipated second album, Katzù Oso is ready to go deeper. His influences remain as eclectic as his upbringing: the romantic soul of José José, the psychedelic textures of Tame Impala, and the iconic songwriting of Julieta Venegas.

Katzù Oso is a portal. Through his music, he invites listeners to transcend their current reality and enter a melodic universe where the imperfections are what make the view so beautiful.

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