We recently connected with Elsten Torres and have shared our conversation below.
Elsten , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’ve had a very blessed and varied career as a musician/artist in my lifetime. I feel as if I’ve been able to experience the many levels of being a singer/songwriter/performer throughout my journey. I have been signed to a major label and major publisher but I’ve also worked as an independent artist for many years. I’ve toured several times and I’ve performed many times in different places all over the world. I’ve recorded over 13 full length records and I have been nominated for 2 GRAMMYS and I have won 2 BMI awards for my songwriting. Currently a project that I am very proud of is “Songfest”. I am the creative director of this program that started back in 2019. It is based in Southern Florida, in Broward County to be specific. This program is one that I developed with the Grace Kewl director of the Broward Cultural Division, to help local artists take their musical careers to the next professional level. I personally teach an intensive 6 part workshop series that covers the creative, business and practical aspects of sustaining a career in the music industry. The Songfest program has helped several very talented artists take a closer look into how it works to be in the business and how to handle the challenges and the triumphs that are presented on their path. It is extremely rewarding for me to share my years of experience and knowledge with a younger generation of creatives that seek to share their talent with the rest of the world
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
A musical pioneer recognized as one of the creators of the 90’s alternative Latin rock sound and movement in the United States, this unconventional eclectic musician has firmly left his artistic footprints in the music industry for over 3 decades. Elsten is a bilingual multicultural artist who has performed live internationally as well as a composer awarded for his international successes. With two GRAMMY nominations, two BMI Awards and six Billboard Top Ten songs including a #1 for 5 weeks, Elsten has earned the well-deserved respect of everyone in the music business. Starting in 1994, with his first Afro-Cuban/rock style hit “Revolucion” under the nickname, “Fulano De Tal,” Elsten begins his career as an artist in spectacular fashion. Later, he created the group, “Fulano” and was signed by BMG/Sony Discs and the international publishing house Warner Chappell where his career jumped at an unstoppable speed. He is often considered one of the few genuine composers of his time for his special ability to compose songs that become instant classics in Spanish as well as English. In 2020 he released the tenth album of his career titled, “At the end of love” all in English. In 2022 the Spanish Language album “Nocturno” was released. An album that marked a new stage in his career in terms of sound and production. And in 2023, he released the single “Bendita Cuba,” a song and remix that is a tribute to his homeland and his recently deceased beloved mother. In 2024, Elsten will finish two new projects, one of which will premiere this year and, like last year, he will continue to do live performances internationally and nationally.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
More than a goal and even more than a mission, I feel that what drives me on this creative path is the respect that I have for music and art in general. Music, in particular, is such a powerful force in our lives. I know that in my life it has been the one constant that has shown me the way of enlightenment and understanding. Through music, I have discovered who I am, what my values are and how I wish to express those values. At a very early age, I was an extremely shy and introverted kid. I was always intimidated to express my thoughts or feelings to anyone. It was music I can honestly say that saved my life. From the moment I found out that I had a talent to write songs and sing those songs it changed who I was and who I would become. So if there is something that drives me, it is that feeling of creating and writing songs that were not there before but that through me they find a voice and someone to express them.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Without a doubt the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the connection that it brings us to others and to the world in general. The beauty of art is that it crosses all cultures, borders, religions and languages. A lovely piece of music can be appreciated by most anyone no matter what your background is. For myself personally, the many times I’ve had someone contact me from way across the world to let me know that one of my songs has touched them in some way or has had a special meaning to them during a difficult or joyous time is what makes it all worthwhile. Likewise when I perform live and see how someone’s mood can change instantly just by the power of my music is beyond rewarding and fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elsten.info
- Instagram: @elstentorres
- Facebook: @elstentorres
- Linkedin: @elstentorres
- Twitter: @elstentorres
- Youtube: elstentorresmusic
- Yelp: @elstentorres