We were lucky to catch up with Ico Soundz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ico Soundz, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I think I first realized I wanted to follow an artistic path after experiencing the producing duo Odesza, at a show for the first time, and realizing how much their music impacted me. Then after experiencing the dance scene as a whole, I wanted to bring that same fulfillment and joy that Odesza had brought to me and turn around and be able to give other people that same experience.

Ico Soundz, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I think the motivation to switch from a regular attendee to an artist was when I found myself immersed in the local electronic dance music scene in Arizona. The immense love and passion that went into the production of the shows that I would attend at all the different local venues really captivated my heart. The artists that would come play, each inspired me in a different way through their music, and the energy from the crowd was beyond words. I found myself in a place where I wanted to bring others that same feeling, the feeling of being able to escape from reality even if it was just for a few moments in time. That drive led me to finally taking the steps to dive into the world of DJing and producing music. Thanks to my best friend Lugh Haurie and his belief in me, I was able to learn along side him each week through his residency at a local bar. Together we worked on our craft side by side until I was able to launch my solo project that is ICO SOUNDZ.

Every time I step behind the decks my goal is to help others feel like they can escape from their realities through the sounds of music. It’s something I have really poured my heart and soul into and if at the end of the day I was able to change even one persons life the way Odesza changed mine, then I could walk away knowing I’ve done what I set out to do with this project.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding thing about being an artist is being able to share my craft with the world and in doing so, seeing how the music I play and produce changes and impacts others. There is probably no better feeling in this world then when I look up from the decks and see smiling faces in the crowd and people dancing the night away .

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I think one thing a lot of artists, especially in the music industry, don’t always think about is about the support system that we have through our family and/or friends. Personally, without my beautiful wife and child who are always there supporting my journey, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Im constantly reminded to keep pushing and working towards my dreams by not only them, but also my long time friends and many of the other local artists I have been fortunate enough to build friendships with along the way. These people are some of the most important resources you can count on to really help shape you into the person you want to become.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ico_soundz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IcoSoundz
• Other: Ico Soundz on SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/uyxbZpPj9TCoQFFw7