On The Line w/ Strict: Sergio Vega and Azu Rodriguez Forge a New Path
An Uptown Creative Reckoning
Photo by: @afcortes
On The Line with Strict: The Husband-and-Wife Duo Channeling Life into Art
Hailing from different backgrounds—Azu Rodriguez from a desert town in Sonora, Mexico, and Sergio Vega from New York City—the husband-and-wife duo Strict has emerged with a sound that’s both introspective and powerful. The band, which features Sergio Vega, a prominent figure in the alternative music scene known for his work with both Quicksand and Deftones, is a testament to their shared philosophy of confronting personal history through art. The name “Strict” was Azu’s idea, born from her desire to break free from a perfectionist mindset shaped by her rigid upbringing.The duo draws from a wide range of influences, showcased on their debut singles, "Human Wishes" and "Say It," which highlight their collaborative chemistry. The music is produced by Will Yip (known for his work with bands like L.S. Dunes, Turnstile, and The Menzingers), who also played drums on the tracks. Sergio has a long history with Yip, having worked with him on Quicksand releases. As they work on their first full-length album, Azu and Sergio are poised to deliver a record filled with positive rage and to add a meaningful contribution to the modern music landscape. We were excited to get some time with Strict for our On The Line series.
GC: Hello! Thanks for your time! What's your hometown and where are you currently based?
Azu: I’m originally from a small desert town in Sonora, Mexico, and I’m currently based in New York City.
Sergio: I was born and still live in NYC. I lived in a few different neighborhoods like Williamsburg & Spanish Harlem. We’re currently uptown in the Bronx.
GC: Who was the first person that got you into music?
Azu: My grandmother was the first person who got me into music. She was a pianist and a devout Catholic, and she enrolled me in Catholic school where music was part of my education.
SV: It was a combination of my older cousin who played piano and keyboards and reruns of Tom & Jerry and The Partridge Family that made music, especially bass, seem so cool to me that I joined orchestra in middle school.
“Our artwork and music reflect that philosophy: raw, imperfect, but honest. Even in chaos, I believe there’s a kind of order.”
GC: What inspired the name Strict?
Azu: We went through a lot of potential names, but nothing really resonated. Sergio once told me that Quicksand found their name by flipping through a dictionary, so I tried the same, and when I landed on “Strict,” it immediately clicked.
The word felt deeply personal. I grew up in a very strict environment, shaped by routine, religion and rigid expectations. That mindset followed me into my creative life, where perfectionism often held me back. Choosing the name “Strict” was a way to confront that: to let go of the pressure to create something flawless and instead embrace the act of creating for its own sake. Our artwork and music reflect that philosophy, raw, imperfect, but honest.
Even in chaos, I believe there’s a kind of order. I stopped chasing perfection and started allowing myself to enjoy the process, like a kid grabbing a crayon for the first time, exploring, making a mess, and finding joy in the act itself, whether or not it pleases anyone else.
SV: That was 100% Azu!
GC: Do you remember the first song or album that had a big impact on you?
Azu: The Smashing Pumpkins’ album Adore, especially “Ava Adore,” had a huge impact on me and still holds a special place in my heart. I played it on repeat for years. I couldn’t afford to see them live back then, but my friend Eddy — may he rest in peace — once called me from their concert in Guadalajara just so I could hear that song over the phone.
SV: The first album that struck e was The Cure’s “Head on the door” and the song on it that blew me away was “The Blood”
GC: We love "Human Wishes" and "Say It” Is there an album done?
Azu: We’re working on it! Hopefully, it’ll be finished by the end of the year.
GC: Azu, did you play in bands before Strict? Your voice is great.
Azu: Thank you!. I started singing in church every Sunday with my classmates, that was my first real experience performing. Other than that, I was never part of a band before Strict. I mostly sang and wrote for myself, in private.
GC: What's been the biggest non-music inspiration for you lately?
Azu: Lately, Park Chan-wook’s films (especially The Vengeance Trilogy) have been a huge inspiration. I’m drawn to the way he explores themes like revenge and consequence, the kind that simmers slowly over time. I love how his storytelling shows that past actions always catch up to you, often in unexpected, poetic ways.
SV: I think I’m going to have to say Jiu Jitsu! It’s really transformative and I’m beyond grateful to Azu for spearheading it and bringing me along! I had no idea how awesome it is.
GC: The production is fantastic. Was that Will Yip? Have you worked with him before?
SV: Will Yip produced, mixed and mastered Human Wishes and he also played drums on the track. “Say It” was self produced and mixed and he mastered the track. I first worked with him with Quicksand which was a lot of fun.
GC: What do you think is the biggest challenge artists face in 2025?
Azu: I think one of the biggest challenges today is the pressure to also be an influencer. Artists are expected to constantly create content just to feed the algorithm and stay visible. It’s soul-crushing. That pressure can distort your creative process, and over time, shape your work in ways that don’t always feel authentic.
SV: I think the main challenge is the same as it always has been, finding your own stylistic voice. Regardless of what type of art you make, that there’s something undeniably “you” that comes across to people.
GC: Is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with? Other artists to appear on a song or even a visual artist for an album cover or merch?
Azu: I’d love for Park Chan-wook or Hideo Kojima to direct a music video, both are visionary storytellers with a bold, emotional, and cinematic style that pushes boundaries. And Rosalia mi amor. I’d say yes before she even finishes the question.Have you had a "it happened for a reason" moment recently? Something that was challenging at the time, but led to an unexpected positive outcome?
“Asong completely changed the trajectory of my life. If I hadn’t heard it, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. Looking back, what felt like everything falling apart was actually everything falling into place, a low point that became a turning point. A true butterfly effect.”
GC: Have you had a "it happened for a reason" moment recently? Something that was challenging at the time, but led to an unexpected positive outcome?
Azu: A song completely changed the trajectory of my life. If I hadn’t heard it, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. Looking back, what felt like everything falling apart was actually everything falling into place, a low point that became a turning point. A true butterfly effect.
SV: It has happened to me a lot! In the most general sense: I have found that obstacles & setbacks test your resolve for the thing in question as the challenges forces its refinement making both you and it stronger in the process.
GC: How would you define success?
Azu: Nothing flashy — maybe even boring to some — but to me, success means having good health, a safe home, love, food on the table, and the freedom to make art whenever I want.
SV: I couldn’t agree more.
GC: Can you share one of Strict's lyrics that sums up your state of mind right now / feels representative of you?
Azu: “Say it to my face.” Hiding behind a screen gives people a false sense of zero accountability, until they’re confronted in real life and start to backtrack.
Follow Strict on IG at @strict.band
Main page image @afcortes
