We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luis Cruz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luis below.
Luis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I started playing guitar at age 11. I didn’t know another musician when I was that young so I just stayed in my room and practiced. I’d listen to my dad’s old records (we still had a record player) and just try to play along. When I got to high school I finally met a few musicians but I was entirely sure if this was just a hobby or if I wanted to do more with music. When I was 17 I met a producer on the train going home from school and he handed me his card and told me he was working with a singer who needed a guitar player. I agreed to work with the singer for a showcase in New York city. I had never played in front of an audience before this point, that night I was just a mixture of emotions. I was nervous, excited, afraid, happy, I just wanted the night to go well. I got on stage and played the songs like we rehearsed and when the crowd applauded and made noise the hairs on my arms stood up. It was that exact moment when I knew that this is what I wanted to do. The thrill of performing live and getting energy from a crowd was the kick in the back I needed to pursue music. I’ve been doing it ever since
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 got into the industry as a performer. After my first performance I just needed to dive into this musician lifestyle. I wanted to try everything I could and see what I liked and what I didn’t really like. I joined and auditioned for multiple bands/acts around NYC. I worked as a sessionist a few times, as a music teacher at a job, I sat in with different producers making music. While doing all of these things, I took note of what happened behind the scenes and learned that music is way more than just the performance you see being in the audience. Meeting different musicians opened a whole new world on how to go about booking shows and I took a liking to that. When I finally joined my current band I decided to use that knowledge and applied it to us. I’m most proud of being able to book a full U.S tour multiple times while being an independent artist. Within a few years after we started, we were booking serious gigs that got our name out there. Playing in music festivals with top artists such as Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, Sara Evans, Florida Georgia Line, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker and so many more. We had no prior experience in the industry, let alone country. We were figuring this out by our hard work, knowledge and trial and error.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Before joining my current band there was a 2 year period where I barely worked. I was in a backing band and the relationship ran its course and I decided to find another project that fit more of what I wanted to do. I didn’t personally know anyone who was looking for a guitar player so I decided that I would do everything I possibly could to get my name out there and join a project I liked. I networked with people, posted on Facebook, looked up and went to open mics and jams, posted on Craigslist and just thought that eventually I’d find what I was looking for. Almost 2 years went by and I wasn’t where I wanted to be at all. I went on auditions and was passed over for other guitarists, I met so many people who wanted to start bands and it just fell through. People ghosted after previously saying they were knterested in working with me. It just wasn’t working. I was frustrated, and getting very discouraged. Meanwhile the musicians I had met throughout the years were having great success. They were going on tour. Playing music in amazing places. Making money. Living the dream and I was back at home without a project. I just stuck at it telling myself I was doing the right things I just needed a little bit of luck to break my way. I eventually met the lead singer of the band I’m in and the rest as they say is history.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think society can do the little things and as the little things add up they can make a huge difference for artists. Liking. Sharing. Streaming goes a very long way. Nowadays it’s not only about being a musician. Musicians need to have an interactive social media presence. And although paying to go see a musician helps, due to life and other responsibilities not everyone can always go out and physically support artists. But passing by a musician’s story or timeline and liking, sharing, and streaming what the musician is promoting is a game changer!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raquelwildflowers.com
- Instagram: Luistheguitarist
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/raquelwildflowers