We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesus Pascual “cheddar” De La O a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jesus Pascual “Cheddar”, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

That’s a tough question, especially since I’ve been working on music for nearly 20 years, but looking back, one of the most memorable projects I had the chance to work on was when my friend April Mendoza from Wild 7 Studios asked me to help create musical cues and scores for a web series called *Amigas!*. What made this project so memorable was that it was something I had never done before. I remember my cousin Migz and I locked ourselves in the studio for a couple of days, brainstorming countless musical ideas. The end result turned out great, but what really made it special was the growth we experienced as musicians and the insight we gained into how both the film and music industry really work..

Another unforgettable project was when my incredibly talented friend, Jasmine Alvarado, asked me to help transform her hip-hop songs into acoustic versions for an upcoming set. This project was especially meaningful to me because I knew the deep emotional significance of these songs, having been in the studio to help record a few of them. Beyond that, I really enjoyed the challenge of reinterpreting the tracks in a fresh, entirely new way.

When we finally finished, it was incredibly rewarding to see how well the acoustic versions were received. It also gave me some amazing memories of working alongside my friend in the studio.

As you can see from these examples, I just love a challenge! There’s something special about stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes, just jumping into the deep end and seeing if you sink or swim. One important lesson I’ve learned from these experiences is that it’s okay to take risks.

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?

For those who don’t know me, my name is Jesus Pascual, but I go by the name “CHDDVR” (Cheddar). I’m a ghostwriter, producer, engineer, composer, and musician based in Southern California. I’ve been immersed in music for nearly 20 years, and my style spans everything from classical to heavy metal and everything in between.

I began my musical journey when I was young. At the time, all I really wanted was a PlayStation, but my dad couldn’t always afford it. With a family of five, something like that just wasn’t a priority. Fortunately, there were musical instruments around the house. I’ve always been a creative kid—whether it was drawing, photography, or just messing around with whatever instruments I could get my hands on.

One of my uncles, Frank, was an incredible musician who could play just about anything. He’d pick up any instrument and effortlessly create music. Visiting him and my cousins on the weekends was always a highlight because the days were filled with music. He started teaching me “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, and I was so excited when I finally learned to play it. Tio Frank became a musical mentor to me, guiding me through different styles and helping me grow. At one point, I even played in a small band with kids my age, performing at parties and earning a few bucks on the weekends. Sadly, he passed away shortly after he began teaching me, before he could see me grow into the musician I am today. But I think about him often and hope he’s proud of the musician I’ve become.

This might be a bit embarrassing, but around the same time I was learning to play, one of the things that motivated me to pick up the guitar was having a crush on a girl in my seventh-grade class. I told myself I was going to learn “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s and play it for her. While she was impressed, it turned out someone else had already made their move before me. Even though my romantic plan didn’t work out, I ended up discovering a much deeper love for music. I became totally hooked, and all I wanted to do was learn. I became like a sponge, soaking up everything I could. If I heard a guitar part I liked, I’d immediately want to figure it out and play it myself.

When I got to high school, I was in a bad accident that left me physically unable to play sports, so I was put into music classes instead. I threw myself into every instrument I could find—joining the Drumline, playing percussion during concert season, and even picking up the cello for orchestral performances. At one point, I convinced my teacher, Mr. Campbell, to start a guitar theory class after we discovered a storage room on campus filled with neglected acoustic guitars. My high school years were consumed by music, which I absolutely loved. Though I was never formally trained, it just started to click, and it became incredibly addictive.

After high school, I was accepted into a music school, but due to family hardships, I couldn’t stay there for long. In the meantime, I joined bands and played with anyone I could to improve and learn from others. Eventually, after signing a record deal with a band I was in, I became interested in learning how to record and produce music myself. Since then, I’ve been creating music, which has led me to work on incredible projects with amazing artists, producers and creatives.

To me, music has always been an extension of the soul, so I love the idea of collaborating with others—just coming together to create something special.

Today, what I bring to the table as a musician and producer is my ability to help my clients bring their ideas to life in the best way possible, whether that means contributing creatively or offering technical support. The beauty of music is that it has no real rules—it’s pure expression, which means there’s always something new to learn and explore.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I graduated high school, I was accepted into the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles—my dream school. I had worked tirelessly throughout high school, practicing guitar every day, often for 4 to 7 hours after school, to make sure I was prepared for whatever they asked during my audition. But soon after I started, my father was let go from his long-time job.

As I attended my dream school, I couldn’t ignore the financial strain my family was enduring, which made me feel guilty. While my parents were struggling, I was focused on my education, unaware of the full extent of their hardships. Ultimately, I made the decision to drop out and prioritize supporting my family. I took on various jobs—working in warehouses, as an airport ramp agent, in security, and in retail—doing whatever I could to help make ends meet. At one point, I even worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT).

After doing that for a few years and once things settled down and we had more stability, I was finally able to return to focusing on music and improving as a musician. On the bright side, I had gained a wealth of random life experiences along the way.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

In short, I just love how music has the power to connect with millions, regardless of language—it’s a universal language all on its own. Music has been there for me through both my brightest and darkest moments, and I’ve always been amazed by its ability to evoke deep emotions. I love the way it makes me feel, and my goal is to create music that allows others to feel the same way—something they can truly connect with and enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/chddvr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chddvr/

Image Credits

All Photos were taken and edited by

Karen Mata @moongoddessvisuals
GP Butterfield @butteremoji
Miguel Ruiz @beatsbymigz