We were lucky to catch up with Agustin Espina recently and have shared our conversation below.

Agustin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I can remember this specific moment: I was about 14 years old, and I was playing my keyboards (an organ that my parents bought to me when I was 7 and my first synthesizer0. For some reason, I realized at that very moment that “this is what I wanna do for the rest of my life!”. I always played keyboard instruments since I was a child, but for some reason that was the “breaking point”. Was a sort of an “epiphany”… I had no Idea what the journey would be like, but I was definitely commited to “buy the ticket”! (And thank God I did!).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been a musician since I was a child. Keyboards is my main instrument (Piano, Organ and Synthesizers). I felt always attracted to the electronic aspect of music. I was always fascinated at the music recording process and how electronic instruments opened a door for new sonic possibilities. Because of this “fascination” I started to make my own experiments with the resources I had at hand. That’s how I started my “self training” as a recording engineer and music producer. It’s been a long trip, and I have learned a lot in the process. All this time I’ve been working in the music business since many platforms: as a performer, session musician, arranger, producer, engineer… this has been a blessing because I’ve collected information from many sources that now I can offer to the Artists that are looking for guidance in their projects. That’s one of the things that I enjoy the most: to receive an idea from an artist and transform it into a “Ready for Airplay” song!

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 think that there are some “myths” about artists, and specifically about musicians that are not necessarily true.

It is true that we work with something very different to a regular job or discipline. We make Music, and with this “non tactile product” we try to reach as many souls as possible.

The amount of effort that we put into what we do is something that you really can’t measure. We put a price on our work because that’s how we are able to make a living, but there’s absolutely nothing in the world that can pay for what comes out of your soul and knowledge in form of art.

This being said, it doesn’t mean that we artists are always “flying between parallel universes waiting for the right muse to hit you with your new creation…” NO!

Musicians do have a discipline. Musicians do wake up early. Musicians do study and struggle to master our performing skills. Musicians spend countless hours in studios creating your next “earbud sensation”. Musicians do show on time for flights. Musicians carry lots of stuff to gigs to make your date a better experience… There is a LOT of work involved in Music Business that a lot of people simply can’t be aware of because we are always either On Stage or in the Recording Studio nice picture.

You wanna make it in music business? Well, wake up early, show on time and most important: Keep your mouth closed and your ears open!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Moving to The United States was always a project for me and my family. We had so many expectations and projects! As a lot of people, when we started to live the experience from a “non tourist point of view”, we understood that it won’t be as easy as we thought it would be. I worked in my recording studio in Venezuela for about 15 years, and I thought that it would be easier to start the studio business here in Miami again, but it took me about 8 years to be able to complete my Studio Setup. Today, I can proudly say “The Funky Lab is open and making the right type of Noise!”. I started Business with the studio in Miami in 2018. The acoustics design is from my friend and amazing Engineer – Producer Keith Morrison. Since The Funky Lab opened its doors, a lot of “Friends who became Clients” and “Clients who became Friends” have come to the studio to record, arrange, compose, mix… It’s so cool to have a Studio because you can share your musical experience with all this people that eventually becomes FAMILY.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @agustinespinamusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agustin-espina-27082962/
• Twitter: @agustinespina

Image Credits
Mayren Espina, Jay Austria, Agustin Espina