Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Javier Aponte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Javier, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I took the risk of quitting an existing “secure” job I had to just pursue what I wanted to do since I was a little boy… Being a profesional musician. I had a good job as an art director in a big firm but the pressure was ridiculously inmense, so I said to myself: “You know what? If you are willing to take this amount of pressure and deal with it, do it for you!!” So I did! I devoted myself in that moment to be a full time musician instead of a part time “gig”.

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 am a professional musician, drummer / producer based in Nashville, TN. I started playing drums in my home town in Puerto Rico very early in my life! At eight years old I was playing drums in my church and by the time that I was 15, I landed my first paid job as a musician. When I saw the check I said to myself: “This is something I can do for a living!!” Things snowballed from there and by the age of 21 I was touring with different acts. That led me to recording sessions and working with different musicians, producers, managers and in all kinds of situations on a musical level. In 2008 I put together what would be my recording studio, which I have now in my house in Nashville (now my studio is twice the size! Hahahah).

I think that what sets me apart from other musicians is the fact that I have a great sense of time and pulse. That gives me the freedom I need to execute in the drums in a very precise yet musical way. That and the fact that I can make the musicians around me feel comfortable and relax, so they can express freely as well, is something that I’m known for. I like to create a welcoming, relaxing experience based on my musicality and time on the drum set. I wanna make the musicians fell like: “Oh! So Javi is playing! Nice! That means I can play freely! No worries on how’s gonna come out ’cause he has the band’s back”.

I am very proud of my musicality, my abilities as a producer / drummer and my understanding of time and feel. I think that’s something that people working with me enjoys the most and cherish the most. Why? Because my contribution to their story, in their song, makes the artist feel safe, taken care of and they feel the same appreciation to their music as they do! And for me, that’s why I make music!! That’s what’s all about!

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

In my opinion, I think the best way that society can support artists and creators is by simply REALLY supporting them!! What I mean by it is: Go to their shows, promote them by giving a follow and share their stuff in your social media platforms, buy a ticket to their show, buy their merchandise. These things are the things most of us artists appreciate the most, ’cause seeing a friend, a family member, another fellow musician at the show, wearing your shirt or baseball cap says: “Hey man! Here I am and I love what you are doing!” As simple as that!

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is making music, producing music piece that people can appreciate, understand it and make it their own. I think the best way to communicate feelings and emotions, sometimes without words, is music. That’s what drives me to keep doing it! And to see people enjoying it and making it their own is priceless…

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javierapontenashville/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/javierapontepr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@javiapontenashville