We recently connected with Edwin Portillo and have shared our conversation below.

Edwin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Taking a risk is pretty much the story of my life. I was born in America, moved back to El Salvador at age 5, and then had a huge decision to make at 18… do I stay in a country that I know the language, the culture, that I am familiar with? Or do I take a risk and leave it all behind to pursue a completely different life?

I took the risk. At 18 years old, with a broken guitar, a saxophone, and one bag of clothes, I made my way to America and settled in Nashville, TN.

When I was 13 years old at a youth camp, I asked, “God, would you give me a room full of instruments.” I had begun to get involved in music at church which influenced my dream to be a good piano player.

I would get the cassette tapes I would hear and play by ear to the best of my ability in El Salvador because there were not many teachers. The church was the only place I was able to play and grow from week to week. As time went by a pastor gave me word at another youth camp, “God will give you more than you can ever imagine, and I will use you as a person of influence.”

At 18 yrs old it was time to makes steps to pursue the dream of music.

Long story short, I started off with small spaces to create music and slowly grew to Simeon Music (my first large studio) that constantly had musicians from around the world.

But, then we were faced with another risk. To sell this dream studio to get financial freedom, and start again with a new studio.

For the next 4 years, my family and I worked weeknights and weekends to build our newest studio from the ground up. I talked to several studio designers that gave us insight, but there were things from my previous studio that I knew I had to have (i.e. more vocals booths and an isolation booth for drums).

Even though it was against their better judgment, I custom-built this space to be what I felt I needed to accomplish the types of records I am looking to create. The original plan was to have an apartment above the control room for artists to be able to stay, but after much deliberation, we decided it was better to have a second recording space, Studio B, for songwriting, programming, and basic recording needs.

In 2021, we were finally able to have our first artist’s record in this new and modern studio.

Since the opening we have had the privilege of having artists from all over the world come to record, produce, film, participate in writing camps, and so much more!

We have added Studio C in the lounge, and have a 4th portable station to host writing camps with ease.

Currently, we are working on fitting out Studio B to be a Atmos Room, and have plans for an addition to the main tracking room to have a room for the grand piano.

We changed the name from Simeon Music to Bunker Five Music. New studio. New name. We could not be happier with the beautiful space we are so blessed to own and use to create music.

We took many risks, but each and everyone of them paid off! Taking a risk is not something to be dreaded. It is a challenge to greatness. A challenge to self. A challenge to push yourself to become the best version of yourself and pursing a life you would never dream possible.

Bunker Five Music is the dream. Building Studios around America for others is the dream. Producing, engineering, mixing and living in a world of music is the dream that was well worth the risk.

Edwin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After moving to America, day and night, I took whatever job I could get in construction as work. I was invited to play with a youth band in Springfield TN in 1998 when I met a guy who told me, “If you buy recording software we can make music.” I had never recorded before so I got excited and bought music software.Then I realized I needed a computer that I did not know how to use. Then I realized I needed an interface and had no idea what that was at the time. The whole process was very fascinating as I learned how everything worked. I would go to music stores and ask them to help me with software, but because my English was so broken they would get annoyed with me. It was frustrating but I never gave up.

In 2004, I went through a very hard situation that led me to a dark place of depression. I was faced with the choice to stay in pity or do something about it. I choose to go to Nashville State College for their Music Technology program still barely able to write/read English.

I graduated with a 4.0 GPA in May of 2006. During this time, I had become quite successful in construction which enabled me to build my own recording studio for the first time. I spent countless hours researching and followed my gut. This resulted in Simeon Music Studio which was 1500 sq. ft. that was decked with a lounge, control room, and 1000 ft. sq. tracking room with 16ft high ceilings.

In 2007, I ran into a friend who needed me to build some acoustic panels. I was too busy wrapping up the studio so had to decline, but he asked to come and see the venue. When he saw the space he said, “When you get this done I will bring all the people that I know.”

Sure enough, he brought artists from all over the country. This opened doors for me to learn a lot from great engineers. Over time this allowed me to be able to engineer myself at a quality level. I quickly found out that every by knows everybody in the music industry and they all recommend a place when they like it.

In 2017, my wife and I felt it was time to sell this studio formally known as Simeon Music, and it has remains in use by other producers to this day.

In 2021, Bunker Five Music was built and had its first artists begin to come through the doors. Since then, we have had countless sessions with people from all over the world.

Each year we have been blessed to build additions, upgrade equips and rooms, and have plans for more in the future!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Bunker Five Music believes in supporting artists that sometimes wouldn’t have the chances that others had. Since I came from the background I had, I have a passion to help others as well. Over the years we have had our studio set up to help artists in times of need. Whether it is finding sponsor, donating time and resources, or helping build connections, we truly want the best for other artists and look for ways to help them succeed in a very hard industry.

Our most recent project has been developing an artist from Mexico that had a passion for music, but didn’t have a pathway to success. Bunker Five Music began a journey of developing this artist from the ground up. We wrote songs, produced, mixed, mastered, put together video shoots, made marketing connections, stylist connections, etc. It has been one of the most fun and rewarding seasons of music development that should be launching in just a few weeks!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I can say I did not do everything right. Actually, my story has had many challenges. Some because of my own decisions and ignorance. Some just the struggles that come with the music industry.

I have had to really come to terms that not everyone is for you and can be trusted. That it actually saves your friendship having strong contracts. If anything, you need to double down on friendship deals to make sure everything is made clear, expectations are understood from both sides, and to keep everyone protected.

Sometimes to get your start you have to pay your dues. It’s hard to know when that stops and doing business knowing your value and worth begins. It’s hard to know when to do a favor and when you are being taken advantage of. It’s hard to learn when saying “no” actually shows your value and worth. This only comes with time and experience and making mistakes a long the way.

My advice to anyone in the music industry. Have a good lawyer. Don’t try to “save” by not having proper contracts. Have contracts even with those that you think would never take advantage of you. Learn the business well and keep it professional. Even if that side of music isn’t fun. Ha!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bunkerfivemusic.com
• Instagram: @bunker5music
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bunker-5-Music-100078076479853/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/portisimeon79

Image Credits

Daniel Lopez @daniellopez.co