Brandon Ayala: A Day in Dallas
Brandon Ayala, an El Paso native who has called Dallas home for more than 20 years, has been a driving force behind the city’s creative scene. From his former Deep Ellum boutique Epocha—a shoe store, vintage shop, and art gallery—to the recurring disco event Debbie Does Disco, Ayala has provided a platform for local artists, photographers, and designers to showcase their work.
Morning: "I’ve become a total morning person," Ayala says. "Even on weekends I’m up by 7 a.m. I start at Metro Diner in Oak Cliff, a classic diner that serves bacon, eggs, pancakes, and excellent coffee. Walking is my meditation—I often stroll across the Zang Bridge from Oak Cliff into downtown Dallas."
Lunch: "Lunch is a family affair," he explains. "I take my four‑year‑old son, Liam, to Peter Piper Pizza in Oak Cliff. It’s a nostalgic spot—my own birthday party was there when I was seven, and the pizza, games, and plastic‑toy tickets still hold a special place in my memory. Now Liam loves it just as much."
Evening: "Dinner is at Tacos La Banqueta," Ayala notes. "I also enjoy the city’s record stores; Josey Records offers a vast, well‑organized vinyl selection. I can spend hours sifting through records there, often losing track of time."
The pandemic reshaped Ayala’s daily routine and his businesses. When COVID‑19 struck, Debbie Does Disco and Tradewinds—an Oak Cliff venue that hosted the disco—were forced to shut down. Despite the setbacks, he’s kept the spirit alive through social media and a live‑streamed disco for the event’s one‑year anniversary. "We would have hosted a warehouse party for 400 people, but the pandemic made that impossible," he recalls.
Ayala also uses music to address the mental stresses of these challenging times. He curates a monthly Mixcloud series called Debbie Loves You, sharing records that carry positive messages. "With everything happening—COVID, political unrest—we need love to balance the chaos," he says. "This mix lets me share uplifting tracks with listeners who need them."
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Header photo credit: Karlo Ramos
