We recently connected with Rico Loma and have shared our conversation below.

Rico, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I wouldn’t say exactly that I wish I started sooner than later, but I do wish I found the passion earlier in my life. I found fulfillment in my past with various things, but never to this extent. We can get down to the details about how having a strong background in music theory would help me craft my songs, or the technical ability to play instruments would strengthen my live performances. Even familiarity with a DAW (digital audio workstation) and how to produce everything else on the track would work wonders. I often think that the voice is just another instrument in the song. All these things I could have had a leg up on had I started earlier. I can still put in those hours today, but something I can’t take back is the years I passed on not doing what I love to do. It took me a while to get my artistry and myself to a level where I’m comfortable sharing with the world.

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.

Rico Loma is a Filipino singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles. His journey started at UCLA, where becoming an artist became more of a plan than a dream. Armed with a USB mic, Rico honed his craft, releasing EPs and performing at frat houses. A hundred songs and a degree later, Rico is now a rising artist in the alternative indie/rnb sphere. Although historically sprinkling hints of pop on top of happier sounds, Rico’s recent musical journey taps into his innermost thoughts with a more mellow sounding production; allowing his words to paint his vulnerabilities more vividly. He plans to release a single and an accompanying LP written about these vulnerabilities in the coming months.

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

I think right now creatives are facing a very unique and very difficult challenge with the rise in AI use in art. It will be an ongoing battle that’s here to stay and it’s up society to stay vigilant and continually challenge it’s use. As a musician, I can sit a little comfortable at the moment as it hasn’t quite affected me, but that’s the kind of mindset we have to avoid having. I can see AI having its uses and it could really benefit us in many ways that isn’t just creative. I, myself, am still figuring out where exactly smart/non-disruptive use of AI is among the many ways it can be exploited. I just think it’s important to stay aware as we move through this very rapid change.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

People often talk about the type of connection an artist/creative can make with their audience and the people that their music can reach. Its a beautiful thing. But one thing I can say is just as rewarding is the connection you make with yourself. To write something genuine and true that others can resonate with, you have to be able to talk to yourself and really learn about what it is on your mind and in your heart. I know it sounds corny, but it really is rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/ricoloma
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricoloma
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ricoloma1124

Image Credits
Lydia Tsuo Oscar Martinez