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

Ernesto, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I actually have a regular job, as well as write/record/perform music. I gave it the college try and was never really able to make enough money to survive. I think it is VERY difficult to make a living as a professional musician that only wants to perform their own original music. I have friends that have been able to make a living with music, but they are usually struggling financially and/or have to take gigs that involve playing covers. I played in cover bands and hated it. It seemed to take the the joy out of performing. I started to resent having to be a human jukebox and decided it just wasn’t for me. I opted to exclusively play music that I write, or subbing for friends. That’s it. This choice involves having a day job but I’d rather be financially stable and give 40 hours of my time weekly than having to hustle finding music gigs that I wouldn’t even enjoy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today 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 daughter 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 3 LPs, 4 EPS, and a live recording of a show. We recently released our latest LP, “Patterns.” It was nominated for aSan Diego Music award. We didn’t win but it was an honor to be considered. 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.

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 gratifying feeling to accomplish that.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

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. Skip the $500 festivals and go to local venues.

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
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rogerthebandsd
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rogerthebandsd

Image Credits

Chantianna Noelle
Taryn Donath