We recently connected with Gxldxn and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gxldxn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
So far I’d say our Courtyard Campout show was a meaningful one for a couple of reasons. It was my first I’d say major collaboration with local label Valley Club Records and lots of other local entrepreneurs. We had such a great turnout and was the first time we got a decent return on our initial investment to produce the show. It built my reputation for organizing shows and setting up sound and lights, so it opened the door for many more collaborations down the line. At the same time, I was also going through a breakup with another local artist on the scene so having my community around was comforting and reassuring, to say the least. That was a year ago now and I’ve been lucky to have been involved with many other shows in the time since with the likes of Lil Raven, 24hrs & NASCAR Aloe to name a few. It’s been crazy so I’d have to say for sure one of the most meaningful thus far.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My creative journey started in March of 2014 shortly after high school. My mom had bought me my first piece of music gear as a graduation gift and unintentionally changed my life forever. In the 8 years since a lot has happened and have been lucky to expand on my initial music production beginnings. These days my main thing is anything involving sound. The hats I wear have changed in recent years and am now involved in much more than I could have predicted. I started out dabbling in DJing and making beats in my bedroom from producing tracks for other local friends and artists to DJing live shows for those friends to where I’m at now which is organizing my shows as well as providing sound for many other local shows. Now basically what I get paid for the most these days is sound setups, so if anyone is throwing any sort of event that requires amplified sound I’m who’d they call. I’ve done gigs from weddings to birthday parties to concerts. I think the thing that separates me from other services though is that it’s a bit more personal to me in that I throw shows myself and I know how stressful they can be, so in most cases, my help won’t end at just sound. I’m there for the show in most cases doing whatever needs help whether it be making a store run or running the entrance taking tickets or making sure the headliner is comfortable. Whatever is needed of me to make any production go smoother I’m there doing. It’s more than a business I genuinely want whoever I work with to have the best show experience possible because I know they can be discouraging at times. Additionally, I’m also part of a YouTube show titled The Wrekroom where we get locals to come on and just get to know them on a more personal level. It’s lots of fun and I’ve been getting the chance to direct as well as edit and produce the show, so it’s a good opportunity to get some filming experience. This community has given me many opportunities time and time again and so I feel a responsibility to give back to it in any way I can.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
More than anything freedom as well as just financial freedom. The freedom to make my schedule and only take the jobs I want. I’m a first-generation Mexican-American, my mother passed away two years ago, my brother passed away at the beginning of this year and I’m the oldest of 4 siblings, so really I just want to build something that they would’ve wanted. Generational wealth. I don’t know where this journey will end up taking me but the end goal has been the same and that’s just to provide for my family the way our mother wanted and our brother. To grow a tree that will bear fruit for my lineage to come.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I’d say taking risks. I have gotten lots of pushback for making certain purchases at times when the money could have been used for something more immediate. What non-creatives don’t understand is that sometimes our passions drive us and even though they don’t see our logic now doesn’t mean that there isn’t any logic at all. It’s a solid mix of logic and intuition in my opinion. There’s always a method to the madness. Looking back I made all the right decisions, maybe it didn’t appear that way, but I play the long game and I know what it is to commit. This has honestly been my longest committed relationship haha. No regrets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Gxldxn95
- Instagram: @Gxldxn95
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC83_oWzJz163mvcDwWcwB6Q
Image Credits
@gxldxn95