What is your genre of music?
Psychasouliqautica
Give us a little bio about you.
I was raised in Los Angeles and I am a bilingual, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer.
My parents are Spanish and therefore my musical influences are completely varied! I grew up amidst a musical family – my grandfather was a studio guitarist for Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles etc.
Tell us more about your music.
I don’t have any particular favorite genre of music. I like to combine elements of different styles together.
You have two singles out now, first tell us about ‘Small Talk’.
Whats the meaning behind the name?
Small Talk is about people, particularly about an old lover of mine, who was pretending to be okay; pretending that they were all that essentially when in reality they were making up for insecurities they hadn’t dealt with. While it’s me basically telling her indirectly that you can talk the talk, but you can’t walk the walk, in the chorus its more of a cosmic love song where i tell her that although i can’t stay with her, i will always love her.
TAKE A LISTEN TO ‘SMALL TALK’ HERE
What was the recording process like?
All of the EP was basically an experiment in production for me. I had dug up some groovy drum samples, and unlike most of the songs that I had written, or write, these tunes were constructed from the drums up; drums recorded first, then harmony, riffs, arrangement, then melody. I wanted to see what kind of sounds and landscape I could create with the instruments available and my voices, throw a bunch of stuff against the wall, and see what stuck. There were a bunch of other tunes, but these were the ones I thought fit together best. I mixed it with my good friend Eli who is in the Breathing Effect, a band signed to Alpha Pup Records, a record label created by the founder of the Low End Theory.
Whats the message you want to give listeners?
Stay true, follow your heart. Keep your integrity.
You also have ‘ Xeriscape’ out, tell us about this track.
The feelings or nature that inspired this song, and most of my music, usually come from a ‘darker’ place. In traditional Indian philosophy there is a word ‘maya’ which generally means ‘delusion’, the fluctuating nature of joy and suffering.
I think the feelings that create my music are often an expression of ‘maya’; some higher more true unchanging spiritual reality, grappling with experiencing the drastic duality of being a human.
How is it different to ‘Small Talk’? Whats the message you want to give listeners?
The message is “when you fall to pieces , pick them up and find that peace always remains”. It’s about returning to the ever-present unchanging beauty and love that is life.
Whats the meaning behind the name?
Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.[1]It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as access to water becomes more limited.
The meaning behind the name, is that we don’t need much nurture and love each other, we can do it with what we already have, for it is our nature.
Will we see an EP or Album this year?
Yes ! By the end of 2017 there will be a full length.
If so what can we expect?
Songs that have been written, rather than production experiments. More of a rock and roll sound, mixed with several production elements of Ouroboros.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Recording a record in a studio of my own, Playing out with a good group of musicians, traveling and touring with the music, and apart from the music. Actually continually becoming more involved in the environmental activism community is really exciting me right now; volunteering as a yoga instructor for underprivileged communities as well!
What else can we expect from you?
Put on community benefit shows. Perhaps to produce an EP of another artist…
Are you heading out on a tour of your own or have any gigs coming up?
I’m begging to play in LA a ton; this month solo shows the 10th at the New San Fernando in Glendale @ 9 & So Far sounds in Echo Park the 19th, and with a band the 26 @old town Pasadena pub and Sep 2nd at the Frog Spot @7 in Los Feliz. I’ll be heading out on tour sometime in 2017.
Who are your influences?
Too many to name but here are some of the greats (no order), antonio carlos jobim, Stevie wonder, miles davis, john Coltrane, ray Charles, oscar peterson, hank mobley, Horace silver, led zeppelin, the beatles, pink Floyd, king crimson, herbie hancock, earth wind and fire, james brown, a tribe called quest…
Of newer artists, I really dig the songwriting and soundscapes of tame impala, unknown mortal orchestra, Nick Hakim, toro y moi, Cornelius, mac de marco, Mild High Club, Solange, many others. I’m hoping to achieve a sound that is retro and soulful, yet new and edgy with its funk, rock, hip hop, neo soul influences. Something that’s fun and intelligent.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I see myself as healthy and happy, and as having touched and inspired many people. I see myself appreciate of a true musical master, who i am studying jazz and all styles and theory with. I see myself involved in the spiritual community as well. Often I envision myself atop a cliff outside of my beach home/recording studio, overlooking the ocean during sunset meditating, sitting
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I have a hard time NOT doing music, it’s almost like an addiction or compulsion, so when I’m not doing music or anything related, i’m consciously trying to FORGET about music, and recharge someway, whether its with family or friends, nature, adventuring with a lover, usually it’s supporting another friend who is artistically involved some way.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
The Fonda.
Would you be up for collaborating with an unsigned artist or band? If so how can they contact you?
They can whistle “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” backwards and i WILL appear, or they can send a carrier pigeon or owl, and the bird will know where to find me.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
“Here comes the sun” (george harrison) the beatles. Abbey road was my first record, and i remember as a kindergarten and first grader i would come home every day and sit by my little boombox and listen to just that song on repeat.
Where is your dream festival to perform?
It sounds cliche but coachella, or outside lands, because it’s close to the homes where i’ve lived, and a place where i’ve had so many great experiences with so many friends
What made you go in to music?
My grandpa got me my first piano lessons when i was 5.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Meditate every day
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not just about the industry also just as an artist/band?
Practice, practice practice, the more you practice, the more you’ll love your instrument and appreciate music.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
too many haha, but i don’t always stick by them…
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
-lyrics, and guitar pick, mostly my mind.
You come off Tour
1/ Where is the first place you go? home,
2/Who is the first person you see? my love
3/What is the first thing you eat,
juice cleanse!!!
Where can we follow your music?
Facebook
