We were lucky to catch up with Betto Arcos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Betto , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
When I was 15 years old, an American family brought me to the US, took me in as a son, enrolled me in middle school and supported me for a year. Living with them for a year transformed my life, gave me a sense of direction and helped me on a path to becoming a responsible and successful professional. I cannot imagine where I would be today if I hadn’t received this family’s support.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a music journalist, I’m a storyteller. I write stories about musicians from all over the world with an emphasis on Latin America. I started as a volunteer programmer at KGNU, a small community radio station in Boulder, Colorado. I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 and worked as music director at the public radio station KPFK, from 1996-2002. After that, I managed Mexican singer Lila Downs for seven years. I’m currently the Latin music curator for the San Jose Jazz Festival. Since 2015, I’ve been a lecturer at the Foreign Service Institute and my work is focused on the connection between music and politics, music and social movements, music and identity. I’m also an adjunct professor of journalism at Loyola Marymount University. In 2020, I published my first book, “Music Stories from the Cosmic Barrio”, focused on more than 20 years of my work for NPR, BBC Radio 3 and KPCC.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Helping others is by far the most rewarding aspect of my creativity. If a story I write helps a musician get more attention, if more people listen to their music, if my story helps a musician get invited to perform at a festival or cultural center, then I’ve done my job.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I do have a sense of responsibility to enlighten, educate the American public about Latin American culture through music. Perhaps because I have a double identity, Mexican and American, I’ve always felt that my mission is to be the equivalent of an interpreter or translator of all things Mexican and Latin American in the USA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bettoarcos.com
- Instagram: @tejarocho
- Youtube: Betto Arcos
Image Credits
My portrait credit: Alejandra Barragán