We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Santos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.

Andrea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was serving in the military and my time in service came to an end sooner than originally planned, and among all the chaos that involved in reference to figuring out what to do next in order to provide for myself and my family I felt really good about taking a chance at doing music. I had always had such an intense love for playing music for an audience and witnessing the elation that people experience through music. Everything inside my own thought process told me that pursuing music as a career was going to be worth every moment involved in it.

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?

Once I left the military I used my benefits to attend Full Sail University to pursue a bachelors degree in music production. I absolutely loved every minute I got to spend learning about music production and the introduction into the realm of the music industry in it’s entirety. for about two and a half years i have been a student of the industry the more I learn about it the more exiting doing the work as become. I was ready to start putting a lot of what I was learning into practice and I put out a debut EP titled ‘Here We Are’ on all major music streaming platforms, I started performing in different shows through out Nashville, TN and Hopkinsville, KY. Engaging with the emerging music scene in this region through networking and performing has been a captivating experience. However, it became apparent that some events left both artists and audiences wanting more. Drawing from my own experiences, gathering insights from other artists and impartial observers, and diving into industry perspectives and market dynamics, I embarked on organizing showcases and events designed to provide a truly successful and enriching night of exceptional performances and entertainment within an environment conducive to memorable experiences. Additionally, there is a need to acknowledge and honor the time and dedication invested by the artists who contributed their performances to bring the event to fruition. It’s a facet often overlooked or perceived as unchangeable – the expectation placed on emerging artists to accept the notion that they won’t be compensated for their work and craft. In my view, this mindset is significantly detrimental to the industry as a whole. Therefore, in the events I organize, I am committed to ensuring that such expectations do not hold true. Embarking on the ambitious journey of organizing these showcases, it became evident how impactful music and its industry are to the community. The process of seeking and securing sponsors for these events proved to be an unforgettable aspect of the entire experience. Witnessing the genuine enthusiasm of individuals when introduced to the idea of contributing to a movement that brings more artistic expression to their smaller hometown was a constant source of affirmation, motivating me to persist in moving forward. A fellow local artists took notice of my individual efforts and approached me with the proposition of a potential business partnership. As we collaborated and discussed our collective ideas, we arrived at the optimal solution of structuring our efforts under the umbrella of a media company. Thus, Through the Notes Media (TTNM) was born. The central concept behind TTNM is to document our endeavors in cultivating a vibrant music economy within the small town of Hopkinsville, KY. Our focus is on supporting local artistry and garnering backing from the community, as we recognize that a thriving music scene not only benefits local artists but also positively impacts local businesses, contributing to an enhanced quality of life for residents.

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

The essence of self-expression serves as the fundamental driving force behind my endeavors as an artist and creative. The intricate process of translating innermost feelings into creative outputs not only validates the artistic journey but also underscores the intrinsic value of self-expression as a poignant and enriching facet of existence.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My adult life as been compromised by a series of hard pivots, some with worse outcome than others. Leaving the military sooner than expected, pivoting from a sea of unserious and unmotivated people who will offer something with out ever delivering. My first showcase I started putting it together with a studio owner and when i delivered on the business plan for the event moving forward I was quickly deserted and was left to complete the event on my own, and I was fortunate to bringing the event to life regardless of the setbacks. I’ve had other industry people i’ve started projects with that ultimately went no where and it made for discouraging moments but nothing that stopped me over all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official.redjay/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/official.redjay94
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/red-jay-350b48231/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYilL-7jshvW6imR3vbnT7g
• Other: Through the Notes Media socials: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@throughthenotes7968

Image Credits
Eye of Fatima Cat Lacy