Exposed Vocals Interviews Alejo C

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

Alejo C: I grew up in a beautiful city, Medellín, Colombia. I think that above all things was the passion that I felt for music, that help me deciding to become an artist, I can’t live without it. My profession is Mechatronic Engineer, but even with that title I felt that some part of my soul was missing; music makes me happy and I just want to share my work with the world, and if it is possible, make others happy.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

Alejo C: After several name ideas (I keep finding  DJs or producers with names that I wanted) I decided to keep it simple and be loyal to the name that my parents gave me, actually I love my name. My producer name is just an abbreviation of my full name, Alejo C (Alejandro Cardona).

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

Alejo C: I think that internet and online music sharing platforms made possible for all the underground scene to shine and get bigger without forgetting its soul and roots. Nowadays an artist or a musician can share magic or incredible things with some technological help (AKA online music sharing platforms), and maybe, be successful and happy with that. I recently started sharing my work as a producer and musician in Youtube and Soundcloud, in that context I think that the best way to start and get some recognition, is to give your music for free, then those people, everyone that get your music for free, might be a future ticket or album buyer.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Alejo C: Actually I am in a start-up face as a producer, and the recommendation for everyone is, “get out there”, let the world hear your voice, be original, be true to your feelings, be true to yourself; to producers or DJs, look for remix contests, there are a lot of them out there. As a musician I am in a band from Medellín called Despedidos Ska Fusión, the experience that I got since 2011 was that the key to get gigs and start earning some money is, first, make good and original music (be a professional), look out for the help of local bars, record a demo, search for festivals of your specifical musical gender, send your demo to that festivals, be constant and disciplined.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

Alejo C: I usually get the inspiration from relationships and strong feelings that certain experiences evoke in me, that allows you to write music and lyrics that can generate some sort of emotion in everyone (That’s the key). Normally I write lyrics and music apart, and when I think is the best moment, then when I have a the harmonies for the guitar and the melodies for the lyrics, I start composing drums, bass and the other instruments that I feel that would fit perfectly in the song.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

Alejo C: Not yet. My band and I usually share our music in online platforms like Soundcloud and Youtube.

 

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Alejo C: I would first invest in my home studio, then in real estate or other type of business that help me securing a future income. Then I would like to travel around the world, and why not, make some concerts with my band in the places that we visit, and then impulse our careers.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

Alejo C: I think that the best ways to promote your music is to play in the local scene, in bars and festivals, and an effective use of social networks and online music sharing platforms. For me as a producer the best way, right now, is the online music sharing platforms and the social networks, but for my band, apart from those two that are very important, I think that the best way is playing in festivals.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

Alejo C: Right now I am recording the first album with my band (Despedidos), making some guitar covers for my Youtube channel and working in a few remixes for some contests. This year will be full of music.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

Alejo C: I am making music in my spare time, actually I am working as a Technological Development Engineer, so I think I would be doing the same, or studying to get a Master of Science in Computer Science.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

Alejo C: I really don’t know how I am doing that, but something is certain, I am not sleeping very well.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

Alejo C: Lots of music, covers, great remixes and original ska-fusion songs.