We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Velu Ochoa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Velu below.

Velu, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I currently have a regular job that allows me to continue to do pursue my creative passion.

I started late in life to monetize my creative skills but I quickly learned how to negotiate rates and look for gigs.

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?

DeSanguashington, is a Colombian American band from Washington, D.C, that fusions traditional Colombian folk music with more modern/popular genres. DeSanguashington has emerged as one of the premier world music bands in the Washington, D.C. area, recognized and beloved by the Latino community and those who enjoy international music.

DeSanguashington (Day-San-gwa-sheen-ton), is a Colombian American band from Washington, D.C, that combines traditional Colombian folk music with rock pop and urban rhythms. DeSanguashington in considered one of the premier world music bands in the Washington, D.C. area, recognized and beloved by the Latino community and those who enjoy international music.

Since 2014, DeSanguashington has had an incredible growth journey. Starting as a small project back then, they went on to perform at some of the best venues and festivals of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, including -The Howard Theatre, The DC International Colombian Festival,The Atlas Performing Arts Center, The John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Columbia Festival of the Arts, The Lubber Run, Arlington, Artscape, Baltimore, The Smithsonian Zoological Park, DC, H Street Festival, DC and Adams Morgan -just to name a few.

DeSanguashington’s musical inspiration comes from their American-Colombian culture and experience of DC and the music each band member listens to. It’s a work of DeSanguashington’s life, and music experiences and it tells stories of love, friendship and happiness.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing people having a good time and enjoying the performance.

It is specially rewarding also seeing kids dancing to our music even when sometimes they do not understand the lyrics bc they are in another language.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Listening to our work and following our social media channels is a great, easy and free way to support us. Also for local artists, attending local music events and if you can buy our work is a great way to support us.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://desanguashington.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desanguashington/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/DeSanguashington1/photos/?ref=page_internal
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOFqZz7UrbrxVrL3I7s1Aw/featured
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0V3WUQvQmqlYPWi44uDxtd?si=xP2NeA_9SA619UFByHAiAQ&nd=1