We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ivan Armendariz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ivan below.

Hi Ivan, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I have found contentment, unadulterated and true to myself in the work I do as a creative. Unfortunately, it is not the only channel that I put my effort into. I do work a full time job, like plenty of the artists that surround me in my scene.

I wonder often what it would be like- will be like- when the chance to drop the career that puts food on the table becomes a feasible opportunity, and instead we as a band are able to dedicate ourselves fully to the music.

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?

My name is Ivan, and I am the frontman of The Ephinjis, a relatively unknown rock n’ roll trio that hails from Denver. I got into a band in high school with my twin brother, Christian, and our classmate Alex. I had always enjoyed performing, joining orchestra at a younger age and also involving myself in children’s theatre camps. I felt a sense of value when I had the chance to perform, and once I learned guitar, it clicked: let’s try to be rockstars.

I have been lucky to grow up with Alex and Chris, and have spent the majority of my life playing music with them. As we’ve gotten older, it’s become apparent that our long standing bond as a trio shines through in our live performances. With an unspoken understanding of each other’s movements, each others shifts in emotions even, we have a locked in sound that I believe wouldn’t happen to us if we hadn’t grown up together, as friends and musicians.

We are proud of our songs, and always feel it is a privilege to perform for anyone and everyone who lends an ear. We want to make this a lifelong journey together- breathing and living and creating music- because we know it’s a blessing to have what we’ve got, and this is what we were born to do.

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

It’s a cancerous ecosystem, and it seems to be even more dire in our home base city than other areas of the country. Our content is consumed on streaming platforms for a millionth of a penny a play, and local venues do not seem to find the need to support local artists if they don’t see dollar signs in their streaming base… Even at our lower tier position that we find ourselves in amongst other artists and even in the industry as a whole, it is clear to see that the situation is dire and not a black and white problem and solution.

The ultimate best thing anyone can do for a local artist is represent at shows. Buy the ticket, bring your coworker, bring your ex if it means you end up making it out to the show. And if you can afford it, buy some merch. A t shirt feeds us for a night on the road, and full bellies make for knockout performances!

Ticket fees and processing is the greatest evil ever cast on artists, and local venues do it better and sneakier than anyone. Ask your local musician friends how much they make, how it gets made, and how much the venue covers through consignment ticket sales. It’s a gross practice, but unless people speak out on it, things may not change. So leave your comments and opinions for the venues, make sure they know other people can see the scumminess a mile away…

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I dream of a day when my father no longer works and my mother can go on tour with us to see the cool things we come across on the road.

I work for my father in the contractor business, and I’ve watched him work hard for my entire life to keep lights on and roof over our heads. If I can get this music thing to be at the point that they don’t need to worry about where the next mortgage payment is going to come from, I think I can feel that it was a successful expedition into the world of music.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theephinjis.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theephinjis
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theephinjis

Image Credits
Tim Meyer Brandon Vogt