We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daveed Alvarado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daveed, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Very early. Right after High School I moved to LA from NOLA to try to make that happen. I had a day job up until one day in 2007 I was fired, and that same afternoon I got a call from a movie production that I had worked with 6 months prior. They asked me to write a song for the movie that ended up not being used. But, it became the first song I recorded for my first album. I also landed a steady gig in Long Beach that lasted 7 yrs, within the first month I was fired. One thing leads to another and I’m still in business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I moved to New Orleans in 1982 and that’s where I got my first guitar. I originally wanted to play Rock but I became more interested in other types of music as well and I decided to focus my playing on what would become my roots: all Latin American music, Flamenco and Jazz. After listening to Paco de Lucia and Strunz and Farah I found my little corner, the backbone of my identity as a guitar player. I moved to Los Angeles and had the blessing of working at Tower Records from 1990. Thats where my real education of music really began because after 6 months I became the Jazz buyer (CD’s and Cassettes) then later I also bought World Music. I did this for 10 stores in SoCal. I would get home with so many promo CDs! It was great. It also gave me a look into the ugliness of the music industry. I left Tower to work for Selva records in 1998 and did promotions in Spanish for USA and Latin America. During all this time I was a member of a few bands that include Bandidos de Amor (rumba flamenca), Raza de Bronce (Andean), Luis Villegas (rumba flamenca), Rosa Negra (flamenco) and my own projects. I had a day job until 2007 and I have worked as a musician for hire ever since.

As of now, I have three steady weekly gigs, I work with a few agencies, I’m a Union member, and book my own gigs. I cater to Corporate events, private parties by learning specific songs for Weddings, for example.. I take my job very serious and I am never late, always dressed to impress and have the most professional sound for any size event.

I do everything in good faith. It is a blessing to do music and be able to meet my needs and wants every month. I am not rich, I am happy. If I can make one smile by playing a song that triggers good memories, that’s the pay for me. Money is necessary but not the most important thing. As a musician I know that and I meet everyone with love because that’s where my music flows from. I am currently in the Studio recording what would be my second album.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding is knowing that I am connecting with my soul. Whether I’m playing a gig or just going over things at home I am in the creative mode. Composing or interpreting. It is that connection while playing that I equate with the term “living the now”, that’s when I’m really alive, when I am playing my instrument. That led me to mastering the instrument the best I can, because it is a constant thing. I know that in the back of my mind I am giving back to the Source where music comes from. Now, translate that to the real world and all I can say is: the phone keeps on ringing and I am a working musician.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My only goal is to be as authentic as I can be. I have spent years listening to other guitar players. There are artists that have influenced me immensely but I had to find my own voice if you will. Well, that takes years. Many years. I find that I am still creating my sound. My life’s journey has been to find my own voice. It’s been a wonderful journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: daveed_latinguitar
• Other: I am working on my website, so it is not up yet but it will be www.daveedlatinguitar.com

Image Credits
Gerado Perez, Fran Morales and Ricardo Hernandez.