We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Estephanie De La Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Estephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

First and foremost; thank y’all for having me dude. So, I released “Runaway” on soundcloud April 28, 2022. I rereleased it on all streaming platforms in July of that same year. This was the first song that I had produced, and mixed all on my own. It was also the first song I had ever put out on all streaming platforms. On top of that, it was the first song I had ever really finished. “Runaway” was about me feeling lost and just wanting to run off somewhere where I can watch all the beautiful things happen without necessarily being apart of it. It was my way of wishing to relinquish myself from peoples lives, because I thought I no longer fit in it. It was me realizing finally that I shouldnt be trying to “fit” anywhere, and that somewhere along the way, Ive found my own space. Its a song that can be in the perspective of one person talking to another. But when I wrote it, It was me talking to me. I was taking my shoulder and leaning on it. I was wishing peace for others, but also for me. Its crazy how much has happened since I released “Runaway”. Since then Ive found an amazing community of artists and friends alike. Ive shared so many amazing memories. I started performing and working with live bands. I started to write more and finish more songs. And I still always look back at this song and look back at how I felt back then; wishing to runaway. Who would’ve thought all that Id find by just staying put a little bit longer.

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.

My name is Estephanie, and I am a singer/songwriter.

I was born in Brooklyn, New York.

I feel like music kept finding me, and I was constantly running away from it without even realizing it. Starting at a young age, I always loved to write and sing. I had this one notebook I got at McDonalds that I would write songs in and show my sister. I grew up in a hispanic household, where I happily volunteered to be the “live entertainment” for the day. But idk, as I got older I had started associating music with shame. I grew to be uncomfortable with myself, and started to strive to want to be in any crowds that I felt would help me “recreate” me into…idk what.  I had a bit of a tough time in highschool, by my own doing. I was too focused on wanting to “fit in” and as a result of that I ended up just being so unlike myself and who I wanted to be. I was just lost and upset at myself, and it rubbed off anywhere I went. Im sure some can relate to this, and looking back I think its a very crucial moment for me, even if its not one im very proud of. But, music found me once again, here, and at this point I really needed it. I didn’t know where or how to express what I was feeling, and I was so embarrassed I just didn’t want to talk to anybody. I started playing more, writing more. All super sad mopey stuff but it helped me release.

Eventually I built up the courage to post some covers and original “mini songs” on youtube and instagram. My friends were getting into music too, and we’d do little cyphers at one of their houses. It was so fun and so freeing. Eventually I was able to graduate which was literally by the grace of god and my teachers. When it came time to pick colleges, I was sure I had ruined my future. My grades were now shit and there was nothing that I was interested in studying. Except one thing….music. Finally, I did not run away from it, and I just went for it without hesitation. When I got into college I knew I was going to leave whatever I was trying so hard to be back then behind, and that I was going to find myself again. And I did. Im so happy I ended up choosing to study music because honestly, it saved me. I needed to focus on something. And luckily, that focus has never left since. I met one of my dearest friends there, and now, 4 years later were both here, doing our passion.

Tbh there’s a lot more to my story, and a lot more that has happened even in this past year. And I am so grateful to everyone whose been apart of my life at any point in time, and honored to be surrounded by such talented and good hearted people. I know this is supposed to be about me, but if it weren’t for all of them, idk who I’d be. And Im happy music found me again, and did not let me go.

Since then, Im now an independent artist with music on all streaming platforms. I perform at shows, where I usually play my unreleased music, teehee. I am currently an assistant teacher by day. And outside of that I work with a company called Gallery Records as a Creative Director. I am apart of an art collective called Post Modern Club. I am working on music and my solo projects, including my debut EP which is called “For Reasons I Cant Explain”.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly I have no idea whats going on when it comes to audience. Ive made more conscious efforts at putting my music and myself out there more recently but honestly my main focus has been that whatever I do put out, its really me. So, I am literally always shocked and grateful anytime someone resonates with what I make, and becomes apart of this audience thats building. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and being someone that can help in any way or be something they can enjoy listening to. For me, music is like my craziness; its a home for it and I love listening to music when Im doing anything. So its pretty surreal thinking that other people are listening to my music while they do anything too. Hopefully its giving them a home for their crazy too. If I could give any advice for someone trying to build their audience on social media, it’d be something they’ve probably heard already which is to be yourself always. Prioritize that over any trend, any big numbers you’re seeing on other posts. Don’t let that discourage you from being who you are. Especially if you’re someone who doesn’t like to show themselves much on social media or isn’t really into it all that much (I can relate). Just know you don’t HAVE to do anything, theres no right or wrong way. If you do want to build an audience on social media, find a way to do it your way. Let the algorithm work for you, don’t work for the algorithm. I promise you, you’ll bring in people who truly resonate with you. But hey, at the same time, figure out what your goals are. If you’re looking to grow 100k in a month, im definitely not the person to talk to about that.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The best part is the art. And I mean that literally and figuratively. Literally, the best part is making stuff. Its building something from scratch, challenging yourself, and just doing something that is so freeing and has no rules. And figuratively speaking, its the whole process in the art. The people; the experiences; the visions; the moments where other people might look at you crazy cause you see something they don’t. I have a whole world in my mind that ive just barely scraped the surface of. Ive created a door and a tunnel where it leaves my soul, and enters this physical space. Slowly but surely, youll see it too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://instabio.cc/estephanie333
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollyallyearround/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552146490674
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdwGF5MAYH5TYwKW2aK-nw

Image Credits

Instagram and/or name mentions for the images:

Yuma: @yumass_44

Niko : @jesusnapkins

Miles : @luckysou7

Sonofasteria : topimpabee

Rain Elektra : @rain.elektra

NXCRE : @nxcre_

Absent Mind : @itsabsentmind

Daffne : @daffnexo

Dani : @babybelzzz

Cisco : @shotbycisco

Banswomb : @banswomb

fatefrommars : @fatefrommars

jonah falls : @imjonahfalls

Why Kaiser : @whykaiser

Che Cody : che.cody

Danni : @dalilsmallababe

Baba

Post modern club : @7postmodernclub7