We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rubén Contreras. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rubén below.
Rubén, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Since I was very young, I’ve known that my future would involve something related to music, although I didn’t determine which path to take until about four years ago.
Let me take you back to the beginning. Music has always been a vital part of my life. Both my parents and my brother are guitarists, but my passion lay in percussion. I would use anything that sounded like a drum – boxes, metal sheets; it didn’t matter. Armed with two sticks, the noise would begin.
My parents noticed my love for percussion, and on my 8th birthday, December 31, 2004, they gifted me my first drum kit. It was genuinely one of the happiest days of my life, opening up countless possibilities for me.
I joined various music bands, and in one of them, my brother Sergio was the guitarist. He’s the reason I’m now a member of a Death Metal band called Bonecarver. He introduced me to Metal and Rock music from my early childhood, with bands like Slipknot, Green Day, Metallica, Linkin Park, and many more.
Around the age of 10, I stumbled upon a program called “Cubase 5” on my father’s computer. At first, I hated it because I didn’t know how to use it. However, with my father’s help, we set it up so that our old keyboard would sound, sparking a newfound passion within me. Combining my love for both the visual and musical aspects of cinema, I tried to mimic cinematic music, unknowingly starting my journey in composition. Throughout this process, I explored various musical styles and DAWs, such as FL Studio, Reaper, and Pro Tools, until about four years ago when I rediscovered “Cubase 10,” feeling like I was returning to my ‘cinematic roots.’
In 2020, during the pandemic, I invested more time in composing and decided to share my music on Spotify and social media. The day I shared my first Trailer Music album, I received a message on Instagram from Chris Allen, offering me a spot as a composer in his library, “Studio Rev,” managed by James Boothe and himself. At that time, I had no idea how the sync music world worked, but they were incredibly kind and explained their vision and workflow. So, I began writing my first tracks for them, and to this day, it remains a pleasure to work with them. I can confidently say that I am now aware of the path I am following as a composer, thanks to Chris and James – all my love and gratitude to them!
Later on, I discovered singer Alexa Ray on YouTube, and I started following her work on social media. I loved the music she was creating, so I decided to reach out to propose a collaboration. We wrote an album for Warner Chappell Production Music, and our connection was so strong that we decided to form a joint project. We are currently preparing new music, with releases scheduled over the next two months!
More recently, I met Leonardo Escárcega, to whom I am eternally grateful for being who he is and always being so willing to help. I have to thank him for introducing me to Gilde Flores, the CEO and founder of Paint the Noise, allowing me to be part of this incredible team of composers!
Currently, I am still working on numerous projects with amazing artists that I hope will see the light very soon!
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 Rubén Contreras, also known as Ruben K, a 28-year-old music composer based in Madrid, Spain. My strength lies in cinematic music, spanning compositions for trailers, films, or video games, as well as more commercial genres like Pop, Rock, or Hip Hop.
While a significant part of my life has been dedicated to creating music, I’ve also ventured into the visual aspect as a filmmaker, producing music videos for artists and bands until the beginning of the pandemic. During that time, I had the opportunity to devote more time than ever to writing, leading me to contemplate sharing my work with the world.
Initially, I didn’t have much confidence in social media, thinking that without a substantial number of followers, spreading my music might be a challenge. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
Soon, I realized that this industry, and any industry for that matter, operates much like personal life – by building connections. At the end of the day, everything becomes easier and more manageable with friends. Without a team, it’s much harder to achieve great things. That’s why I’m grateful to have had the pleasure of meeting the people who are now part of my musical journey. Thanks to everyone for teaming up with me and letting me be a part of your journey!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The heart of my creative journey is all about blending the raw emotions of music with a visual punch, creating sonic experiences that hit you deep. I draw inspiration from amazing artists like 2WEI, Tommee Proffitt, VO Williams, Thomas Bergersen, or Danny Elfman, exploring everything from cinematic vibes for trailers and TV to the beats of pop, hip-hop, and rock.
It’s more than just making tunes for ears; I want my music to be the soul of visual stories, whether it’s in trailers, ads, video games, or films. I truly believe in the magic of music to stir up emotions and enhance visual experiences in its own unique way.
Through my music, I aim to throw a mix of emotions into the air, creating vibes that match and elevate what visual creators have in mind. At the same time, I’m chasing that dream of turning my love for making music into a livelihood,always keeping a mindful balance and enjoying the good times with friends and family. My ultimate goal? Turning music into not just a job but a lifestyle that adds vibrancy to my life and resonates with those who connect with my work.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, being an artist is like finding my own slice of serenity. When I’m immersed in creating music, it’s like a kind of meditation. Most of my day, my mind is in the zone, and I try to channel my mental energy and focus solely into the creative process. Of course, I still deal with ups and downs, as every person but making music helps me navigate through it all. Always mindful that keeping things balanced is a must! Overthinking just messes with the flow!
One thing I love about my work is the power it has to change someone’s mood. Whether my music is playing in the background of their day or hitting them directly in the feels, knowing I can evoke emotions is pretty special. And when I see that my music is making waves in the industry, keeping publishers and collaborators happy, it’s like a personal victory.
Beyond the professional side, being a creative has introduced me to some amazing people. It’s not just about the work connections; I’ve built some real friendships along the way. So, for me, being an artist is a mix of personal fulfillment, impacting others in a positive way, and forming these awesome connections that make the whole journey worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rubenkmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubenkmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubenKMusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rub%C3%A9n-contreras-diego-b32884127/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubenkmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWrGQ4RDhgj9mcWlM7iZvxg
Image Credits
Alejandro Rodríguez