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{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Rafael Reyes
| name = Rafael Reyes
| image = Rafael reyes (artist).jpg
| image = Rafael reyes (artist).jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|2}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|8|2}}
| birth_place = [[Cotija de la Paz]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE PAIN IS NOT OVER {{!}} Leafar Seyer |url=https://www.thesedaysla.com/pages/the-pain-isnt-over-leafar-seyer-prayers |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=THESE DAYS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=6 takeaways from Leafar Seyer's Artist Friendly podcast interview |url=https://www.altpress.com/leafar-seyer-prayers-artist-friendly-podcast-takeaways/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |date=February 4, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Michoacán, Mexico
| birth_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|Author|artist|musician}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Author|artist|musician}}
| alias = {{hlist|Leafar Seyer|Nite Ritual}}
| alias = {{hlist|Leafar Seyer|Nite Ritual}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kat Von D]]|February 21, 2018}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kat Von D]]|February 21, 2018}}
| children = 2
| website = {{URL|www.chologoth.com/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.chologoth.com/}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| embed = yes
| instrument = singer{{hlist|Vocals|keyboards|guitar|synthesizer}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards|guitar|synthesizer}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Gothic rock|Goth]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]|[[Chicano rock]]|[[New wave music|New wave]]|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Gothic rock|Goth]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]|[[Chicano rock]]|[[electronic rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/prayers-mn0000297814/biography|title=Prayers Biography by Rob Wacey |last=Wacey |first=Rob |publisher=AllMusic | access-date=17 June 2023 }}</ref>|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| years_active = 2010–present
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]]|Vampire|Baptism of Thieves}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]]|Vampire|Baptism of Thieves}}}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Rafael Reyes''' (born August 2, 1975), also credited as '''Leafar Seyer''', is an American [[author]], artist and musician credited with creating the [[Cholo (subculture)|Cholo]] [[Goth subculture|goth]] genre of music,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/nov/06/blurt-cholo-goth/ |title=Cholo goth |publisher=San Diego Reader |date=2013-11-06 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> which lyrically explores the realities of gang and street life.<ref name="huff1">{{cite web|author=Lisa Derrick |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/prayers-cholo-goth-is-rea_b_5011714 |title=Prayers: Cholo Goth Is 'Ready to Bleed' and to Rock |publisher=HuffPost |date=2014-03-25 |accessdate=2021-11-20}}</ref>
'''Rafael Reyes''' (born August 2, 1975), also credited as '''Leafar Seyer''', is a Mexican American author, artist and musician credited with creating the cholo goth genre of music,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/nov/06/blurt-cholo-goth/ |title=Cholo goth |publisher=San Diego Reader |date=November 6, 2013 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> which lyrically explores the realities of gang and street life.<ref name="huff1">{{cite web|author=Lisa Derrick |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/prayers-cholo-goth-is-rea_b_5011714 |title=Prayers: Cholo Goth Is 'Ready to Bleed' and to Rock |publisher=HuffPost |date=March 25, 2014 |accessdate=2021-11-20}}</ref>


Reyes frequently mixes [[Western esotericism]] with [[Olmec]] beliefs.<ref name="huff1"/>
Reyes frequently mixes [[Western esotericism]] with [[Olmec]] beliefs.<ref name="huff1"/>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Reyes joined the Sherman 27th Street Grant Hill Park gang when he was a teenager in order to save his father's life after a skirmish at a local market.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Noisey|title=Prayers and the Cholo Goth Movement|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/noisey-meets/prayers-and-the-cholo-goth-movement-noisey-meets|website=Noisey.Vice|publisher=Vice|accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref> Upon graduating high school, Reyes opened San Diego's first vegan/vegetarian Mexican restaurant, Pokéz, with his father.<ref name="wordpress1">{{cite web|author=mikemaxwellart |url=http://mikemaxwellart.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/live-free-podcast-62-wguest-mr-rafael-baby-boy-reyes/ |title=Live Free Podcast #62 W/Guest Mr Rafael "Baby Boy" Reyes &#124; Mike Maxwell Art Blog |publisher=Mikemaxwellart.wordpress.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> After running the restaurant for eighteen years, and after his father's death, he sold Pokéz to his younger brother.<ref name="sdcitybeat1">{{cite web|last=Holslin |first=Peter |url=http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-10572-new-%E2%80%98occult-wave-band-in-town.html |title=Former Pokez owner Rafael Reyes new band Baptism of Thieves plays experimental rock |publisher=Sdcitybeat.com |date=2012-05-23 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> In 2011, he wrote and published ''Living Dangerously'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdnews.com/bookmark/15944123-San-Diego%E2%80%99s-underworld-finds-light-in-new-book |title=San Diego Community News Group - San Diego's underworld finds light in new book |publisher=Sdnews.com |date=2011-10-06 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> a ''[[roman à clef]]'' about his life as a gang member, and toured California to promote the book.
Reyes joined the Sherman 27th Street Grant Hill Park gang when he was a teenager to save his father's life after a skirmish at a local market.<ref>{{cite web |last1= |title=Prayers and the Cholo Goth Movement |url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/noisey-meets/prayers-and-the-cholo-goth-movement-noisey-meets |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206185929/http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/noisey-meets/prayers-and-the-cholo-goth-movement-noisey-meets |archive-date=2016-02-06 |accessdate=May 26, 2015 |website=Noisey Meets |publisher=Vice}}</ref> Upon graduating high school, Reyes opened San Diego's first vegan/vegetarian Mexican restaurant, Pokéz, with his father.<ref name="wordpress1">{{cite web|author=mikemaxwellart |url=http://mikemaxwellart.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/live-free-podcast-62-wguest-mr-rafael-baby-boy-reyes/ |title=Live Free Podcast #62 W/Guest Mr Rafael "Baby Boy" Reyes &#124; Mike Maxwell Art Blog |publisher=Mikemaxwellart.wordpress.com |date= August 29, 2011|accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> After running the restaurant for eighteen years, and after his father's death, he sold Pokéz to his younger brother.<ref name="sdcitybeat1">{{cite web|last=Holslin |first=Peter |url=http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-10572-new-%E2%80%98occult-wave-band-in-town.html |title=Former Pokez owner Rafael Reyes new band Baptism of Thieves plays experimental rock |publisher=Sdcitybeat.com |date=May 23, 2012 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> In 2011, he wrote and published ''Living Dangerously'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdnews.com/bookmark/15944123-San-Diego%E2%80%99s-underworld-finds-light-in-new-book |title=San Diego Community News Group – San Diego's underworld finds light in new book |publisher=Sdnews.com |date=October 6, 2011 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> a ''[[roman à clef]]'' about his life as a gang member, and toured California to promote the book.


===Music===
===Music===
Looking for a more direct way to interact with an audience, in 2011, Reyes formed his first band, Baptism of Thieves, followed by Vampire.<ref name="sdcitybeat1"/> With the break-up of those bands, he created [[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]] (credited under the pseudonym Leafar Seyer) with Tijuana-born Dave Parley.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holslin |first=Peter |url=http://iheartgoatmeat.com/2014/01/20/killwave-chillwave-an-interview-with-rafael-reyes-of-prayers/comment-page-1/ |title=Killwave > Chillwave — An Interview with Rafael Reyes of Prayers |publisher=I Heart Goat Meat |date=2014-01-20 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> He also performs solo as Nite Ritual.
Looking for a more direct way to interact with an audience, in 2011, Reyes formed his first band, Baptism of Thieves, followed by Vampire.<ref name="sdcitybeat1"/> With the break-up of those bands, he created [[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]] (credited under the pseudonym Leafar Seyer) with [[Tijuana]]-born Dave Parley.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holslin |first=Peter |url=http://iheartgoatmeat.com/2014/01/20/killwave-chillwave-an-interview-with-rafael-reyes-of-prayers/comment-page-1/ |title=Killwave > Chillwave — An Interview with Rafael Reyes of Prayers |publisher=I Heart Goat Meat |date=January 20, 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> He also performs solo as Nite Ritual.


Prayers released their debut album ''SD KILLWAVE'' in 2013, with two videos, "From Dog to God" directed by Chukk Nastee aka Charles Christ and "Ready to Bleed".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/jan/28/blurt-prayers-are-ready-bleed/ |title=Prayers are ready to bleed |publisher=San Diego Reader |date=2014-01-28 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> Prayers then released an EP entitled, ''GOTHIC SUMMER'', in mid-2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-13138-the-sonic-redemption-of-prayers/ |title=The sonic redemption of Prayers |publisher=San Diego city Beat |date=2014-06-18 |accessdate=2014-06-19}}</ref> Prayers opened for [[the Cult]] during that band's 2014 tour.<ref name="huff1"/>
Prayers released their debut album ''SD KILLWAVE'' in 2013, with two videos, "From Dog to God" directed by Chukk Nastee aka Charles Christ and "Ready to Bleed".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/jan/28/blurt-prayers-are-ready-bleed/ |title=Prayers are ready to bleed |publisher=San Diego Reader |date=January 28, 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> Prayers then released an EP entitled, ''GOTHIC SUMMER'', in mid-2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-13138-the-sonic-redemption-of-prayers/ |title=The sonic redemption of Prayers |publisher=San Diego city Beat |date=June 18, 2014 |accessdate=2014-06-19}}</ref> Prayers opened for [[the Cult]] during that band's 2014 tour.<ref name="huff1"/>


Reyes conceived Prayers' video for the song "Gothic Summer," the title track of their first EP, released in May 2014,<ref>{{cite web|last1=d'Ebre|first1=Rodrigo Ribera|title=Gothic Summer|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gothic-summer_b_5601148|website=HuffPost|accessdate=20 November 2021}}</ref> which won the 2015 San Diego Film Festival Award for Best Music Video. Gavin Filipiak, the video's director also won for Best Editing in the music video category.<ref>{{cite web|title=2015 SAN DIEGO FILM AWARDS WINNERS Official Announcement|url=http://filmconsortiumsd.com/2015-san-diego-film-awards-winners-official-announcement.html|website=San Diego Film Awards 2015|publisher=Film Consortium San Diego|accessdate=27 May 2015}}</ref>
Reyes conceived Prayers' video for the song "Gothic Summer," the title track of their first EP, released in May 2014,<ref>{{cite web|last1=d'Ebre|first1=Rodrigo Ribera|title=Gothic Summer|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gothic-summer_b_5601148|website=HuffPost|date=July 21, 2014 |accessdate=November 20, 2021}}</ref> which won the 2015 San Diego Film Festival Award for Best Music Video. Gavin Filipiak, the video's director also won for Best Editing in the music video category.<ref>{{cite web|title=2015 SAN DIEGO FILM AWARDS WINNERS Official Announcement|url=http://filmconsortiumsd.com/2015-san-diego-film-awards-winners-official-announcement.html|website=San Diego Film Awards 2015|publisher=Film Consortium San Diego|accessdate=May 27, 2015}}</ref>


On May 26, 2015, Prayers released the title track of the [[Travis Barker]]-produced second album, "Young Gods" as a video single, through Noisey/Vice Magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier: Prayers "Young Gods" Official Music Video|url=http://noisey.vice.com/music-video-premieres/prayers-young-gods-music-video|website=Noisey.Vice.com|publisher=Vice|accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref> In the song, he references [[Aleister Crowley]]: The lyrics "do what thy will shall be the law" is an homage to the English occultist's "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," while Crowley's [[Magical formula]] for [[Tetragrammaton]] is explicated in the song's final lines.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Crowley|first1=Aleister|title=Magic in Theory and Practice|url=http://hermetic.com/crowley/book-4/chap3.html|website=hermetic.com|publisher=Hermetic.com|accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref>
On May 26, 2015, Prayers released the title track of the [[Travis Barker]]-produced second album, "Young Gods" as a video single, through Noisey/Vice Magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier: Prayers "Young Gods" Official Music Video|url=http://noisey.vice.com/music-video-premieres/prayers-young-gods-music-video|website=Noisey.Vice.com|publisher=Vice|accessdate=May 26, 2015}}</ref> In the song, he references [[Aleister Crowley]]: The lyrics "do what thy will shall be the law" is an homage to the English occultist's "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," while Crowley's [[magical formula]] for [[Tetragrammaton]] is explicated in the song's final lines.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crowley |first1=Aleister |year=1976 |title=Magick in Theory and Practice |place=New York |publisher=Dover Publications |url=https://archive.org/details/magickintheorypr00crow |access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>


===Art===
===Art===
He also began to focus on his artwork, showing in San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/15823870/article-Urban-gallery-shakes-up-art-scene |title=San Diego Community News Group - Urban gallery shakes up art scene |publisher=Sdnews.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> He has since shown in Los Angeles at [[Coagula Curatorial]] with [[John Fleck (actor)|John Fleck]] and [[John Roecker]] as part of the successful "Two Johns and a Whore" group show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/lina-in-la-two-johns-and-a-whore-4317011/10/ |title=Lina in L.A.: Two Johns and a Whore &#124; Los Angeles &#124; Slideshows &#124; Los Angeles News and Events |publisher=LA Weekly |date=2014-01-15 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thelosangelesbeat.com/2014/01/opening-party-coagula-curatorial-two-johns-and-a-whore/dsc06482-custom/ |title=Lisa Derrick and Rafael Reyes with his sculpture, Magdalene's Temple &#124; The LA Beat |publisher=Thelosangelesbeat.com |date=2014-01-13 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref>
He also began to focus on his artwork, showing in San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/15823870/article-Urban-gallery-shakes-up-art-scene |title=San Diego Community News Group – Urban gallery shakes up art scene |publisher=Sdnews.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref> He has since shown in Los Angeles at [[Coagula Curatorial]] with [[John Fleck (actor)|John Fleck]] and [[John Roecker]] as part of the successful "Two Johns and a Whore" group show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/lina-in-la-two-johns-and-a-whore-4317011/10/ |title=Lina in L.A.: Two Johns and a Whore &#124; Los Angeles &#124; Slideshows &#124; Los Angeles News and Events |publisher=LA Weekly |date=January 15, 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thelosangelesbeat.com/2014/01/opening-party-coagula-curatorial-two-johns-and-a-whore/dsc06482-custom/ |title=Lisa Derrick and Rafael Reyes with his sculpture, Magdalene's Temple &#124; The LA Beat |publisher=Thelosangelesbeat.com |date=January 13, 2014 |accessdate=2014-05-30}}</ref>


Reyes developed and then left Diamond Dogs, a group of retired gang members with an interest in art and music, as an outlet for young men looking for an alternative to gang life. Diamond Dogs provides outreach, emotional and artistic support in a positive environment while stressing the importance of community and family.<ref name="wordpress1"/>
Reyes developed and then left Diamond Dogs, a group of retired gang members with an interest in art and music, as an outlet for young men looking for an alternative to gang life. Diamond Dogs provides outreach, emotional and artistic support in a positive environment while stressing the importance of community and family.<ref name="wordpress1"/>


In January 2015, Reyes was included in a special exhibition at the LA Art Show, "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" which included important Southern Californian Chicano, Cholo and street artists.<ref>{{cite web|title=LA Art Show Dark Progressivism |url=http://www.laartshow.com/dark-progressivism |website=LA Art Show|accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref> "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" was the first international showing of this uniquely Southern California genre.<ref>{{cite web|last1=RGN Staff|title=Cartwheel Art Debuts 'Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising'|url=http://www.richgirlnetwork.tv/2015/01/cartwheel-art-debuts-dark-progressivismmetropolis-rising/ |publisher=Rich Girl Network |date=2 January 2015 |accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Darling|first1=Decadence|title=The Dark Side of the LA Art Show 2015|url=https://beautifulbizarre.net/2015/02/02/dark-side-la-art-show-2015/|website=Beautiful Bizarre|accessdate=26 May 2015}}</ref>
In January 2015, Reyes was included in a special exhibition at the LA Art Show, "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" which included important Southern Californian Chicano, Cholo and street artists.<ref>{{cite web|title=LA Art Show Dark Progressivism |url=http://www.laartshow.com/dark-progressivism |website=LA Art Show|accessdate=May 26, 2015}}</ref> "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" was the first international showing of this uniquely Southern California genre.<ref>{{cite web|last1=RGN Staff|title=Cartwheel Art Debuts 'Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising'|url=http://www.richgirlnetwork.tv/2015/01/cartwheel-art-debuts-dark-progressivismmetropolis-rising/ |publisher=Rich Girl Network |date=January 2, 2015 |accessdate=May 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Darling|first1=Decadence|title=The Dark Side of the LA Art Show 2015|url=https://beautifulbizarre.net/2015/02/02/dark-side-la-art-show-2015/|website=Beautiful Bizarre|date=February 2, 2015 |accessdate=May 26, 2015}}</ref>


Reyes's sculpture ''Southland'' debuted at [[Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH)]] as part of "Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment" which ran November 22, 2017 through January, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment |url=https://www.lancastermoah.org/dark-progressivism |website=www.lancastermoah.org |publisher=MOAH |accessdate=28 March 2019}}</ref> The exhibition included many important, influential, and internationally known artists from Southern California, many of whom, like Reyes, created new work for the museum show. [[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]] videos were incorporated as part of the overall installation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Preview: Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment ~ Nov 11th at MOAH |url=https://www.lataco.com/preview-dark-progressivism-moah/ |website=lataco.com |publisher=L.A. Taco |accessdate=28 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lutz |first1=Christopher Ian |title=Dark Progressivism: Scholarship in Streets |url=https://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/essays/dark-progressivism-scholarship-streets/ |website=blog.lareviewofbooks.org/ |publisher=Los Angeles Review of Books |accessdate=28 March 2019}}</ref>
Reyes's sculpture ''Southland'' debuted at [[Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH)]] as part of "Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment" which ran November 22, 2017, through January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment |url=https://www.lancastermoah.org/dark-progressivism |website=www.lancastermoah.org |publisher=MOAH |accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref> The exhibition included many important, influential, and internationally known artists from Southern California, many of whom, like Reyes, created new work for the museum show. [[Prayers (duo)|Prayers]] videos were incorporated as part of the overall installation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Preview: Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment ~ Nov 11th at MOAH |url=https://www.lataco.com/preview-dark-progressivism-moah/ |website=lataco.com |date=November 2, 2017 |publisher=L.A. Taco |accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lutz |first1=Christopher Ian |title=Dark Progressivism: Scholarship in Streets |url=https://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/essays/dark-progressivism-scholarship-streets/ |website=blog.lareviewofbooks.org/ |date=February 3, 2018 |publisher=Los Angeles Review of Books |accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref>


On February 24, 2018, his first solo art show in several years opened at These Days, in downtown Los Angeles, dovetailing with the release of Prayers' video, "One 9 One 3".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lina|first1=Lecaro|title=Prayers' New Video Celebrates the Pansexual Underground in Our Dark City |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/prayers-new-video-celebrates-the-pansexual-underground-in-our-dark-city-premiere-9196102 |work=LA Weekly |date=February 23, 2018 |accessdate= February 26, 2018}}</ref>
On February 24, 2018, his first solo art show in several years opened at These Days, in downtown Los Angeles, dovetailing with the release of Prayers' video, "One 9 One 3".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lina|first1=Lecaro|title=Prayers' New Video Celebrates the Pansexual Underground in Our Dark City |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/prayers-new-video-celebrates-the-pansexual-underground-in-our-dark-city-premiere-9196102 |work=LA Weekly |date=February 23, 2018 |accessdate= February 26, 2018}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Reyes met [[Kat Von D]] in 2016, when Von D appeared in a video per Reyes' request. Reyes also wrote the song "Black Leather" for Von D, who provided vocals for the duets and additional tracks. The song is on the album 'Baptism of Thieves'. Von D is featured in the video for the song.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lutz|first1=Christopher Ian|title=The Loneliest God: Lucifer in Leather |url=http://disinfo.com/2016/06/loneliest-god-leafar-seyer-lucifer-leather/|website=Disinformation.com|publisher=Disinfomation|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Blue|first1=Jeannie|title=Interview - Leafar Seyer of Prayers|url=https://crypticrock.com/interview-leafar-seyer-of-prayers/|website=Crypticrock.com|publisher=Cryptic Rock|accessdate=22 February 2018}}</ref>
Reyes met [[Kat Von D]] in 2016, when Von D appeared in a video per Reyes' request. Reyes also wrote the song "Black Leather" for Von D, who provided vocals for the duets and additional tracks. The song is on the album 'Baptism of Thieves'. Von D is featured in the video for the song.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lutz|first1=Christopher Ian|title=The Loneliest God: Lucifer in Leather |url=http://disinfo.com/2016/06/loneliest-god-leafar-seyer-lucifer-leather/|website=Disinformation.com|publisher=Disinfomation|accessdate=February 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Blue|first1=Jeannie|title=Interview – Leafar Seyer of Prayers|url=https://crypticrock.com/interview-leafar-seyer-of-prayers/|website=Crypticrock.com|date=January 15, 2018 |publisher=Cryptic Rock|accessdate=February 22, 2018}}</ref> Reyes married Kat Von D legally on February 21, 2018, in Beverly Hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/style/kat-von-d-wedding-matching-manicures/ |title=Kat Von D and Her New Husband Got Matching Manicures For Their Surprise Wedding Day |author=Kaitlyn Frey |date=February 21, 2018 |work=People}}</ref> The couple have one son together, Leafar. Reyes also has a daughter from a previous relationship from whom he is estranged.


Reyes served six months in prison in 2010 for [[assault]], giving him strikes under California's [[three-strikes law]], meaning one more conviction could result in him going to prison for decades or life.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=J |date=2015-03-04 |title=Meet Prayers, the San Diego Cholo-Goth Duo Who Want to Break Down Every Barrier In Sight |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/6azgd4/meet-prayers-the-san-diego-cholo-goth-duo-who-want-to-break-down-every-barrier-in-sight |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref>
Reyes married Kat Von D legally on February 21, 2018, in Beverly Hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/style/kat-von-d-wedding-matching-manicures/ |title=Kat Von D and Her New Husband Got Matching Manicures For Their Surprise Wedding Day |author=Kaitlyn Frey |date=February 21, 2018 |work=People}}</ref> A wedding ceremony for family and friends was held on June 2, 2018. Their son, Leafar Von Drachenberg Reyes, was born on November 29, 2018, in their Los Angeles home.

Reyes has a daughter (born 1994) from a previous relationship. {{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}


== References ==
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reyes, Rafael}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reyes, Rafael}}
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[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Artists from Michoacán]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Writers from Michoacán]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
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[[Category:Musicians from Michoacán]]
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[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
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[[Category:People from Cotija de la Paz]]
[[Category:American artists of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American artists of Mexican descent]]
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[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American musicians of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American musicians of Mexican descent]]
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[[Category:American rock singers]]
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[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
[[Category:Artists from California]]
[[Category:Artists from California]]
[[Category:Writers from California]]
[[Category:Artists from Michoacán]]
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[[Category:Chicano rap]]
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[[Category:Gothic rock musicians]]
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[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Chicano rock musicians]]
[[Category:Chicano rock musicians]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American gothic rock musicians]]
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[[Category:American rock singers]]
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[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American musicians]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American musicians]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Musicians from Michoacán]]
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[[Category:People from Cotija de la Paz]]
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[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
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[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Writers from California]]
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[[Category:Writers from Michoacán]]

Latest revision as of 04:04, 4 November 2024

Rafael Reyes
Born (1975-08-02) August 2, 1975 (age 49)
Cotija de la Paz,[1][2] Michoacán, Mexico
Other names
  • Leafar Seyer
  • Nite Ritual
Occupations
  • Author
  • artist
  • musician
Spouse
​
(m. 2018)​
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • synthesizer
Years active2010–present
Websitewww.chologoth.com

Rafael Reyes (born August 2, 1975), also credited as Leafar Seyer, is a Mexican American author, artist and musician credited with creating the cholo goth genre of music,[4] which lyrically explores the realities of gang and street life.[5]

Reyes frequently mixes Western esotericism with Olmec beliefs.[5]

Biography

[edit]

Reyes joined the Sherman 27th Street Grant Hill Park gang when he was a teenager to save his father's life after a skirmish at a local market.[6] Upon graduating high school, Reyes opened San Diego's first vegan/vegetarian Mexican restaurant, Pokéz, with his father.[7] After running the restaurant for eighteen years, and after his father's death, he sold Pokéz to his younger brother.[8] In 2011, he wrote and published Living Dangerously,[9] a roman à clef about his life as a gang member, and toured California to promote the book.

Music

[edit]

Looking for a more direct way to interact with an audience, in 2011, Reyes formed his first band, Baptism of Thieves, followed by Vampire.[8] With the break-up of those bands, he created Prayers (credited under the pseudonym Leafar Seyer) with Tijuana-born Dave Parley.[10] He also performs solo as Nite Ritual.

Prayers released their debut album SD KILLWAVE in 2013, with two videos, "From Dog to God" directed by Chukk Nastee aka Charles Christ and "Ready to Bleed".[11] Prayers then released an EP entitled, GOTHIC SUMMER, in mid-2014.[12] Prayers opened for the Cult during that band's 2014 tour.[5]

Reyes conceived Prayers' video for the song "Gothic Summer," the title track of their first EP, released in May 2014,[13] which won the 2015 San Diego Film Festival Award for Best Music Video. Gavin Filipiak, the video's director also won for Best Editing in the music video category.[14]

On May 26, 2015, Prayers released the title track of the Travis Barker-produced second album, "Young Gods" as a video single, through Noisey/Vice Magazine.[15] In the song, he references Aleister Crowley: The lyrics "do what thy will shall be the law" is an homage to the English occultist's "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," while Crowley's magical formula for Tetragrammaton is explicated in the song's final lines.[16]

Art

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He also began to focus on his artwork, showing in San Diego.[17] He has since shown in Los Angeles at Coagula Curatorial with John Fleck and John Roecker as part of the successful "Two Johns and a Whore" group show.[18][19]

Reyes developed and then left Diamond Dogs, a group of retired gang members with an interest in art and music, as an outlet for young men looking for an alternative to gang life. Diamond Dogs provides outreach, emotional and artistic support in a positive environment while stressing the importance of community and family.[7]

In January 2015, Reyes was included in a special exhibition at the LA Art Show, "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" which included important Southern Californian Chicano, Cholo and street artists.[20] "Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising" was the first international showing of this uniquely Southern California genre.[21][22]

Reyes's sculpture Southland debuted at Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH) as part of "Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment" which ran November 22, 2017, through January 2018.[23] The exhibition included many important, influential, and internationally known artists from Southern California, many of whom, like Reyes, created new work for the museum show. Prayers videos were incorporated as part of the overall installation.[24][25]

On February 24, 2018, his first solo art show in several years opened at These Days, in downtown Los Angeles, dovetailing with the release of Prayers' video, "One 9 One 3".[26]

Personal life

[edit]

Reyes met Kat Von D in 2016, when Von D appeared in a video per Reyes' request. Reyes also wrote the song "Black Leather" for Von D, who provided vocals for the duets and additional tracks. The song is on the album 'Baptism of Thieves'. Von D is featured in the video for the song.[27][28] Reyes married Kat Von D legally on February 21, 2018, in Beverly Hills.[29] The couple have one son together, Leafar. Reyes also has a daughter from a previous relationship from whom he is estranged.

Reyes served six months in prison in 2010 for assault, giving him strikes under California's three-strikes law, meaning one more conviction could result in him going to prison for decades or life.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "THE PAIN IS NOT OVER | Leafar Seyer". THESE DAYS. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "6 takeaways from Leafar Seyer's Artist Friendly podcast interview". Alternative Press Magazine. February 4, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Wacey, Rob. "Prayers Biography by Rob Wacey". AllMusic. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Cholo goth". San Diego Reader. November 6, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Lisa Derrick (March 25, 2014). "Prayers: Cholo Goth Is 'Ready to Bleed' and to Rock". HuffPost. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "Prayers and the Cholo Goth Movement". Noisey Meets. Vice. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  7. ^ a b mikemaxwellart (August 29, 2011). "Live Free Podcast #62 W/Guest Mr Rafael "Baby Boy" Reyes | Mike Maxwell Art Blog". Mikemaxwellart.wordpress.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Holslin, Peter (May 23, 2012). "Former Pokez owner Rafael Reyes new band Baptism of Thieves plays experimental rock". Sdcitybeat.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  9. ^ "San Diego Community News Group – San Diego's underworld finds light in new book". Sdnews.com. October 6, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  10. ^ Holslin, Peter (January 20, 2014). "Killwave > Chillwave — An Interview with Rafael Reyes of Prayers". I Heart Goat Meat. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  11. ^ "Prayers are ready to bleed". San Diego Reader. January 28, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  12. ^ "The sonic redemption of Prayers". San Diego city Beat. June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  13. ^ d'Ebre, Rodrigo Ribera (July 21, 2014). "Gothic Summer". HuffPost. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "2015 SAN DIEGO FILM AWARDS WINNERS Official Announcement". San Diego Film Awards 2015. Film Consortium San Diego. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  15. ^ "Premier: Prayers "Young Gods" Official Music Video". Noisey.Vice.com. Vice. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  16. ^ Crowley, Aleister (1976). "Magick in Theory and Practice". New York: Dover Publications. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "San Diego Community News Group – Urban gallery shakes up art scene". Sdnews.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  18. ^ "Lina in L.A.: Two Johns and a Whore | Los Angeles | Slideshows | Los Angeles News and Events". LA Weekly. January 15, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  19. ^ "Lisa Derrick and Rafael Reyes with his sculpture, Magdalene's Temple | The LA Beat". Thelosangelesbeat.com. January 13, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  20. ^ "LA Art Show Dark Progressivism". LA Art Show. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  21. ^ RGN Staff (January 2, 2015). "Cartwheel Art Debuts 'Dark Progressivism: Metropolis Rising'". Rich Girl Network. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  22. ^ Darling, Decadence (February 2, 2015). "The Dark Side of the LA Art Show 2015". Beautiful Bizarre. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  23. ^ "Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment". www.lancastermoah.org. MOAH. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  24. ^ "Preview: Dark Progressivism: The Built Environment ~ Nov 11th at MOAH". lataco.com. L.A. Taco. November 2, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  25. ^ Lutz, Christopher Ian (February 3, 2018). "Dark Progressivism: Scholarship in Streets". blog.lareviewofbooks.org/. Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  26. ^ Lina, Lecaro (February 23, 2018). "Prayers' New Video Celebrates the Pansexual Underground in Our Dark City". LA Weekly. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  27. ^ Lutz, Christopher Ian. "The Loneliest God: Lucifer in Leather". Disinformation.com. Disinfomation. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  28. ^ Blue, Jeannie (January 15, 2018). "Interview – Leafar Seyer of Prayers". Crypticrock.com. Cryptic Rock. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  29. ^ Kaitlyn Frey (February 21, 2018). "Kat Von D and Her New Husband Got Matching Manicures For Their Surprise Wedding Day". People.
  30. ^ Bennett, J (March 4, 2015). "Meet Prayers, the San Diego Cholo-Goth Duo Who Want to Break Down Every Barrier In Sight". Vice. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
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