What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
I’ve been pursuing music since I was young, about 12 years old. I was heavily involved in the choir and band programs in school. Originally I wanted to play the violin, but I moved and the new school did not have an orchestra. I was told to pick between tuba and percussion, so I became a percussionist. About 3 years later when I was 15 my mom bought me my first guitar, a black Ibanez RG120 series with a squire combo amp, while we were on vacation in Irvine, CA visiting family. I’ve continued to grow as a percussionist, vocalist, and guitarist ever since.
Were there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
If you want to be successful, you have to be persistent. There’s always going to be something that goes wrong or difficulties in your journey to whatever it is you want to accomplish. It requires a blatant refusal to quit and strong internal self motivation to will your desires into existence. I’ve encountered everything from having band members quit or get replaced, to attempting to book venues as a new act, to multiple studios to complete our first album, etc.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Playing at Whiskey a GoGo in West Hollywood was a big deal and pretty memorable, but our first show at the Yucca Tap Room in Tempe is probably my favorite memory so far. The energy and sense of accomplishment of finally getting on stage and having a successful show with a crowd that was responsive and into the music was f***ing awesome. I look forward to many, many more shows.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
My music is a direct result of the influences and exposure to different types of music over the years. Focusing on metal, artists like Chevelle, Limp Bizkit, Atreyu, and Killswitch Engage made an impact on how our music is written as well as classic artists like Pantera, Van Halen, etc. Having been immersed in both symphonic and latin music, a lot of that has bled over into my compositions by utilizing things such as tresillo rhythms or montuno phrases for counter-melodies. All of this results in a sound that spans metalcore, nu-metal, and heavy metal genres.
What is your creative process like?
I’ve often heard of people thinking about what key they want to play in or who they want to sound like in trying to achieve the same sound, but that all seems backwards to me. I usually noodle around on my guitar, especially at times I’m feeling a strong emotion that I want to convey by playing. It’s a lot like therapy honestly. I have no intent other than transferring the emotions that I’m experiencing to my guitar. I tend to record EVERYTHING. It goes into a database of song ideas that I can draw from and when I don’t have a specific song in mind, I note what emotion the riff or lick is meant to embody. As new ideas come, I work on the different recordings, eventually adding multiple parts until the song is complete. Nothing is forced, everything comes about in a natural process. Then I go back and correct any notation issues, timing, etc.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
The industry has changed over the years no doubt, but so do all different types of industries. If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen, as it goes with anything in life. You reap what you sow. As far as what I would change? Nothing except myself to adapt and overcome the challenges encountered to reach the success I desire in this industry. You have to approach it as if no one is going to help you, and to be honest, unless it’s charity, it’s going to cost money which in return costs time.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
No one will take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously. You have to want it more than anyone else, otherwise your lack of conviction will show. This is a music career, which means this is a job. If you want to play on the weekends or be in a cover band, there’s nothing wrong with that and do it as you please. If you want to do this full time, you have to treat it like a job. That means daily posting on social media, contacting venues, creating promotional material, writing and recording music, advertising, etc. Your band is your brand, how will you show the world what you can offer? Everyone has the ability to do it, as long as you are willing to commit to it.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Our last show at Whiskey a GoGo was probably our best to date as a whole. Some shows have better aspects than others, but I would say it would have to have been the Whiskey show. You can find clips of our performances on Youtube, Instagram, etc.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
I am also an entrepreneur and inventor. I enjoy finding solutions to modern day problems through engineering or operational process improvement. I was a dancer for years as well, but that was another lifetime haha.
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
We are currently in the process of writing our next album “Capitula Vitae” due to be released 2026. Our new single, “The Lazarus Effect” will be released spring 2025, so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates and new content. You can also view our upcoming shows by visiting our website www.deadlyvirtues.com.
