We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ernesto Garcia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ernesto thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old. It took me a few years to figure how to even tune it. I then learned a few chords and a pentatonic scale. I didn’t take music seriously until I was about 20 years old. I started studying music theory and composition in college when I was about 22. Knowing what I know now, I would have started music lessons, especially theory, way earlier. Studying theory gave me the ability to intellectualize music and make sense of notes, chords, time and relativity. These skills are crucial to songwriting, in my opinion. The biggest obstacle for me was my youth and lack of funds. I found it difficult to truly appreciate how important learning more was at the time. And, I couldn’t afford private instruction.

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

I grew up in West Texas and started playing music at around age 13. Guitar first, then drums, then bass. I moved to Austin to go to school in 1993 and then decided that music was my calling. I co-founded my first original blues/rock band, Sour Mash Jack. We released our debut and only recording, “Loudmouth Soup” in 1995. We played mostly in Texas with a few shows in New Mexico and Arizona. In the late ’90s, we had some interest from an A&R guy that worked for BMG. He strongly suggested we move to LA. I dropped out of college 1 semester shy of graduating with a music composition degree and took the leap of faith. On Jan 1st, 2000, we moved to LA to “make it.” The band broke up 6 months later.

I decided to stay in LA and wound up playing and recording with several bands. One of them was a rock en Espanol band that got signed to BMG Latin. I got to record in Mexico City, play shows in Mexico, and actually met Tommy Mottola once at a label party in Miami. That was fun. I also got to tour with a fairly well know Elvis impersonator that had a cool Latino social commentary twist to his Show. El Vez. But all good things come to an end, right?

I moved to the San Diego area in March 2006, shortly after my only child was born. I didn’t want to leave my life in LA but felt it was my duty to be as close to my daughter as possible. A decision I have come to appreciate more and more as the years have gone by. Musically, I had to start all over. I took a few years off from performing to spend more time with the kid. I then started writing and recording songs that would eventually become my current band’s debut album, “Dark Matter.” I started playing solo acoustic shows in about 2008 and within a few years, had my full band, Roger! Although it has gone through some lineup changes, the core members have been with me for about a decade now.

We have recorded 4 LPs, 4 EPS, and a live recording of a show. We have toured the southwest quite a bit and have gone up the west coast a couple of times, as well. In 2016, my wife and I purchased a house that has a recording studio built into the garage. So, I now have my own studio, too! I generally just record my band or close friends but have recorded professionally a few times. It is called Foxtail Studios in Escondido.

I’m most proud of my band. I could write the best songs ever but they probably wouldn’t sound the wat they do if not for 3 of my best friends. Aaron Luke-drums, Greg Irwin-gtr, and Jay Lauterwasser-bass. I think there has to be a good musical and personal dynamic for a band to be creative and productive. I’m very fortunate to have found that in these very talented musicians. I think that dynamic can be heard on our latest record, “Patterns.” It was recently nominated for a San Diego Music Award for Best Rock Album. And, our first single off that album, “Fire” was also nominated for Best Rock/Indie Alternative Song. That definitely would not have happened without my band.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Members of our society can best support artists, creatives and a thriving ecosystem by purchasing local art or music, going to see local bands or artists’ work, or creating art themselves. It is important to foster a creative community and be engaged in the creative, even if it is at 10pm on a Wednesday night.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is the satisfaction of creating something that was not previously in the world. The most important purpose in life is to create art and it is a deeply satisfying feeling to accomplish that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rogerthebandsd.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogerthebandsd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rogerthebandsd/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernie-garcia-966926b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rogerthebandsd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrOfk8Df3S2ORVtU16XGYcw
• Yelp: nope
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rogerthebandsd