Written by Lorenzo dela Cruz | October 13, 2025

This past Monday, San Antonio’s Paper Tiger transformed into a mix of sound, as Temachii took the stage for her first-ever headlining show in the city—a sold-out night that at the iconic DIY venue. The night hosted two drastically different worlds that evening; a Two Piece, metal show, had just ended in the adjacent room, and as fans spilled into the central area of the venue, the conversations about moshing and guttural screams were a complete juxtaposition from the initial chaos, to the calm that was about to begin at the venue’s other room.

For those new to her name, Temachii is a rising alternative and dream-pop artist blending delicate vocals with layered instrumentals that drift between ethereal and emotional. Known for her flowing melodies, poetic lyrics, and striking visuals, she has built a devoted fanbase across Texas through performances that feel as intimate as they are transcendent. Monday’s show felt like a culmination—both a celebration of artistry and a reflection of a thriving local community that continues to uplift its own.

Mylena of Orca | Photos by Lorenzo dela Cruz

Opening the night was Orca, a Texas-based alternative soul duo composed of Mylena Velasquez (vocals, songwriting) and Daniel Louis Galloway (multi-instrumentalist, songwriting). Their set began with a floating, ethereal intro that filled the room in a kind of meditative calm. The performance carried through a slow ballad—a cover—that was both romantic and soothing, with the song “Darling,” standing out for its lush harmonies and serene emotional pull. Despite a few sound malfunctions typical for Paper Tiger’s smaller stage setup, Orca carried on gracefully, delivering their closing track “D&D,” a soft, airy guitar ballad that felt like a gentle exhale before the storm of energy to come.

Next came mypilotis, the local powerhouse led by Chesca Umeno (vocals, guitar) and backed by Joey Gonzalez (guitar), Sophie Kurihara (bass), Edgar Betancourt (drums), and JJ Herron (keys). From the moment they walked on stage, the energy in the room shifted—vibrant and chaotic. Chesca kicked things off by shouting, “Give it up for Orca one more time, they’re in the back!” setting a tone of mutual respect and support that carried through the night.

The group’s dynamic was electric, expressive, and extremely playful. Between songs, Chesca joked, “I wanna put my glasses on so I can see all these beautiful people,” before prompting drummer Edgar: “Give me one time.” Edgar hit the snare once. “Give me two times.” Two hits. Then four. Then nine. The crowd laughed as Chesca threw her hands up, “Is anyone even counting tonight?” Guitarist Joey Gonzalez, dressed in a full suit, quickly regretted his outfit choice, shedding his blazer with a laugh and revealing a tattooed torso, quipping, “Business casual was a mistake.”

Mid-set, Chesca paused to say, “Pull out your phone flashlights if you have battery life left to reach Temachii’s set, this next song is about life—and for those we’ve lost,” leading into a slower track that contrasted beautifully against their usual high-energy, organized chaos. The glittering lights filled the venue. When someone in the crowd shouted, “My name is Israel,” Chesca smiled and replied, “We love you, Israel.” Later, Joey egged Chesca on—“Sing that shit, Chesca!”—before she quite literally dove into the crowd, trusting the fans to carry her. She hit the floor, shredding guitar from below as the crowd erupted. After their set, Chesca returned to the stage to high-five everyone, sealing the moment with the kind of warmth that defines San Antonio’s music scene.

Then came the night’s headliner. Temachii’s band walked out to a hype “rage” beat, an unexpected 180 from her usual dream-pop sound, instantly hyping up the crowd, before transitioning into her signature sonic haze. The stage setup was simple yet full of charm: everyone in the band wore crochet bucket hats, while Temachii herself floated across the stage in a flowy miniskirt dress, with heart-shaped heels matching her heart-shaped guitar. Her orange floral-patterned stockings shimmered under the stage lights as she greeted the audience: “I’m so glad to be back in San Antonio—my first headline at Paper Tiger.” The room roared.

Her vocals floated effortlessly above the layered guitars, at one point soaring into an impressive whistle note that seemed to suspend time. Throughout the night, fans at the front sang every lyric with a passion that blurred the line between artist and audience. “I’m so blessed to have such talented musicians with me,” Temachii said between songs, as cheers rose from a crowd that clearly loved her as one of their own.

As the night built toward its close, Temachii performed an unreleased track before launching into her final song, “A Lamb’s Lullaby.” The lights flashed, the band headbanged, and the sound dissolved into a noise wave that left the room spinning. But the crowd refused to let it end—chanting for an encore until the lighting tech began flashing the stage lights in rhythm with their cheers. Temachii smiled, “One more for you guys, ’cause you’re amazing.”

During the encore, the keyboardist pulled out a Super 8 camera, darting across the stage to film each member as they jammed out one last time. As they bowed out, the band formed heart signs with their hands—a fitting closing gesture to a night defined by love, community, and sound that felt like it could float forever.

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