Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Coloma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been my heavy metal band, Destroyer Creator, and the creation of my latest EP. This project came to life thanks to the City of Austin’s 2023-2024 Live Music Grant, which provided the crucial support needed to bring my artistic vision to fruition.

Austin has been my home for two decades, shaping me both as an individual and as a musician. The city’s vibrant live music scene is deeply woven into its identity, and being part of that culture has been an incredible privilege. Through this project, I had the chance to collaborate with some of Austin’s most talented musicians and producers—individuals I’ve admired and built friendships with over the years. Together, we created something that not only represents my personal style but also honors the city’s rich musical heritage.

The EP features six new tracks, including one crafted specifically for sync licensing, with the goal of placing it in a video game or movie. While I love writing music on my own, this project reminded me of how inspiring it can be to create alongside others who share your vision and energy. It brought a new level of depth and excitement to the process.
Producing an EP is no small feat—it’s a significant investment of time, energy, and resources. The grant not only made this possible but also allowed me to fairly compensate every artist and producer who contributed to the project. That, to me, was deeply rewarding because it acknowledged their value and helped sustain the creative community that makes Austin so unique.

This EP is more than just music; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of supporting local artists.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started playing guitar at 12 and quickly fell in love with creating music. By 15, I had formed my first metal band, and at 19, I made the bold decision to move from Quito, Ecuador to Austin, Texas—a city synonymous with live music—to pursue my dream.

In 2010, I joined Headcrusher, my first professional band. Together, we accomplished incredible milestones: winning a prestigious Roadrunner Records contest in 2011, performing at massive festivals in Colombia in front of 10,000 fans, and playing on a heavy metal cruise alongside some of the biggest names in the genre. We collaborated with award-winning producers and video directors and secured endorsements from major brands like ESP Guitars and Randall Amplifiers. These experiences were career-defining and taught me what it takes to thrive in the music industry.

Through this journey, I discovered that musical success requires more than just talent; it demands strategy, adaptability, and marketing. Embracing our DIY ethos, I took on key marketing responsibilities, helping shape the band’s brand, fostering industry relationships, and creating opportunities through networking. These skills became an essential part of my toolkit.

By 2018, I was ready for a new challenge. While my time with Headcrusher was transformative, I felt compelled to explore my own artistic vision. I invested in a home recording studio and launched Destroyer Creator, my solo project. My focus shifted to writing songs that reflected my personal style—blending diverse influences while staying true to my heavy metal roots.

In 2020, I was honored to be one of the first musicians selected to write metal tracks for Meta’s Sound Collection. To date, 10 of my compositions have been released and featured in content worldwide, collectively generating millions of views on Facebook and Instagram. This project deepened my understanding of how music intersects with digital platforms and global audiences.

I believe in dedicating my time to pursuits that are meaningful and creative. Beyond music, I’m passionate about photography, video production, and applying creative problem-solving to new challenges. Currently, I’m pursuing a Digital Video Certificate at the Austin School of Film to sharpen my skills in film-making and content creation.

My self-taught expertise in marketing has been another key asset in my career. I’ve developed skills in website design, social media management, e-commerce, advertising, and SEO. These tools have enabled me to provide freelance services, helping artists and businesses grow their audiences and achieve their goals.

I’ve also had the privilege of working with innovative music companies. In 2018, I assisted as an audio engineer for Tonecrate, a San Antonio-based business specializing in digital guitar tones. In 2019, I joined Lucky Lady Vintage Guitars, where I developed their brand, built their e-commerce platform, and managed social media and content creation.

Ultimately, my journey is driven by the understanding that our time is finite. Whether through music, marketing, or other creative endeavors, I’m committed to using my skills to create, innovate, and leave a lasting impact on the communities I’m part of.

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

I believe society and the industry need to push for meaningful change, particularly through laws and policies that provide greater protections and support for musicians and other creators. The current framework often leaves artists behind, as the industry continues to shrink and adapt rapidly to new technologies, business models, and social media platforms.

One of the most pressing challenges is the rise of AI-generated music, which poses a significant threat to original compositions and intellectual property. Without robust protections in place, the value of human creativity risks being undermined.

Additionally, while streaming platforms like Spotify are fantastic for consumers, they fall short in fairly compensating artists for their work. Platforms like Bandcamp and Patreon offer more artist-friendly revenue models, where creators retain a larger percentage of their earnings. But I still think there could be better business models to support creators.

Another key challenge lies in shifting how people consume and perceive music. As a society, we’ve grown accustomed to convenience and free or low-cost access to content. While these innovations are great for accessibility, they often come at the expense of the artist’s livelihood.

In the meantime I would say, if you really like an artist, specially independent artists, support them by buying merch or music directly from their store, attend their shows, help them spread the word, all these thing go a long way and are essential for artists to continue.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media is an ever-evolving process. What works today might not work six months from now, so staying adaptable is key. For me, the foundation of success lies in providing genuine value to your audience—whether it’s through entertainment, education, or something else that resonates.

Equally important is defining the voice and tone of your brand. Audiences connect best with creators who engage honestly and naturally. Authenticity fosters trust, and trust builds loyalty.

When I worked with Lucky Lady Vintage Guitars, I was responsible for managing all social media channels, including content creation, branding, and community engagement. Starting from zero followers, I organically grew the store’s Instagram account to 1,600 followers in less than a year—without paying for ads or buying followers.

Our strategy was simple but effective. We consistently produced visually appealing and interesting posts that resonated with our niche audience—vintage guitar collectors—while also appealing to younger, modern players. We also partnered with other creators and businesses through cross-branding efforts helping us reach new audiences and strengthen connections within the guitar community. We prioritized meaningful interactions, responding to comments and messages, and actively participating in conversations relevant to our niche.
This approach allowed us to attract a diverse audience and introduce products that appealed to different demographics.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://destroyercreator.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destroyercreatormusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@destroyercreatormusic

Image Credits

We are hierophants
David Coloma
Arcano XV
Scott Durst