We recently connected with Daniel Jimenez Afanador and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Earning a living in the arts for me is about flexibility and work ethic. Over time I’ve built a repertoire of clients who call me for different things. Sometimes I’m a record producer, sometimes I’m a composer or songwriter, other times I’m an educator, and others an audio engineer. I’m able to do all of these things and more, so I’m always busy. I may produce a record and then be asked by someone I met during that process to come play guitar at their performance. Or sometimes I’ll be asked to work as a music consultant or producer on a TV show. I recognize that the music industry today is not so “monolithic.” I appreciate the opportunities to work and I’m constantly learning new things.
Daniel, 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?
As a teenager growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, in the 90s, I realized music had the power to heal. I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to pursue a career in this field. I studied audio engineering, composition and film scoring. As the years went by, I learned that the best way for me to make a living in this field was to be able to wear many hats. This hasn’t changed. I work as a record producer, composer, educator, audio engineer, and a variety of other projects that come my way. I’m proud of the fact that I keep getting called to participate in musical projects and I’m able to make a good living doing the thing I love. I’m also really proud of my recording studio, Intellectual Studios, from which I operate. I’ve been able to build a space where my clients and I can feel truly confortable and creative. Nothing but good vibes here!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Making a living in the arts is truly challenging and I think it’s all about the long game. That means that you have to find a way to make a living, sometimes doing things that are not in the arts, but with your focus always on building your own career. It takes time and money. For me in particular, as an immigrant, it took many years to truly learn the language and make connections. I have really had to be patient. Most of my work comes from relationships and fostering those relationships takes time, especially when you are an immigrant. Aside from being perseverant and fostering relationships, I think there is an element of trusting the process. It’s easy to get anxious during times when the work is not coming. The universe has always provided me with what I needed, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to be happy. I know it’s cliche, or simplistic, but there’s more to it. The important part is the “how.” I think that in order to be happy, or content, I need to foster meaningful relationships and do meaningful work. Music is great for that. I get to support artists diving deep into their own emotions and putting themselves out there. I get to help others materialize their artistic vision and that gives me deep joy. I think that art shifts culture and culture is the best way to change the world. My work feels meaningful in that sense.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danieljimenezafanador.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieljimenezafanador/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielJimenezAfanadorMusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-jimenez-afanador-0583911b0
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/danieljimeneza
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpHVy81_Oojt97BpeXUvQ3g
- Other: https://www.threads.net/@danieljimenezafanador
Image Credits
Nik Misafiris