We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Juan Narcos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Juan, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Looking up to my favorite artists like The Strokes, Interpol, and Mac Demarco is what keeps my creativity going. Their music, Image and their stories of making music is such a cool thing. Another way that continues the flow of my creativity alive is going to live shows. It fuels this passion along with going to my favorite record store, “Sonido Del Valle” in Boyle Heights, CA. This is where I discover more music, to be able to be inspired, and to create!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hello BoldJourney readers. My name is Juan Narcos and I am a recording artist, songwriter, musician, and a producer. I am a 29 year old Mexican American that was born and raised in El Monte, CA. My background in music is Mexican Regional such as cumbia, corridos, boleros y rancheras. This was thanks to my father who wanted to share his special gift to his sons and daughters. Having music all around built a musical trained ear and I started to perform in private and public shows with my brothers and sisters by the age of 5 years old. I never considered music as a career, until I took it more seriously at 11 years old. I picked up the electric guitar, and once I heard the rock genre for the first time I fell in love with it. At the same time I also started to play Bajosexto, (which is used in Mexican Regional music such as corridos) due to my brother. He wanted help, so that he can sing and play accordion for live shows. Time passed throughout highschool, where I did a few rock projects, as well as the corrido genre, where I was able to figure out that I wanted this as a life long career. Fast forward to the present and here I am still continuing in music with no regrets. I am working on my first solo indie rock project as Juan Narcos and giving it my all. However, within the corrido genre I am still a gigging musician and perform as much as I can throughout all CA and the US.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I want to say faith, bravery and a deep passion are three qualities that impacted my journey and would also help as advice for others. Through this life, music is something I will continue to do as long as I breathe. I don’t care if I will not make it to the level of fame that I see my idols in, but I am content with my music being put out rather than not at all. However I know my music speaks for itself, and wholeheartedly believe music lovers will enjoy. After my last serious project I went away from the music for a couple of years to focus on my education. I still continued gigging in Norento genre, but I came back knowing I would not quit on my dreams in the indie rock scene, even when I had doubts of myself. I know this is where my heart belongs, and believing in myself and going in brave is the combination to keep going. This time around, I am able to reflect on my career as a musician, and I am so happy I was persistent for the Juan Narcos Project. This deep passion of music is what reminds me why I wanted to pursue this career.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my beloved fiancée putting her faith, love, and patience with me. I am an over-thinker, and this can lead to meltdowns and discouragement on myself which can negatively bleed into my music. She inspires and fuels me to continue in this career. She has helped me through the times I would go in and out of music, and sees the full potential that I don’t see when I am thinking of stopping in music. I am able to see other perspectives when i’m clouded by judgement during many aspects of life, not just career-wise. She is my other half, and my peace in life and makes me feel recharged to go all in for the Juan Narcos Project.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan__narcos/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/juannarcosmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juannarcos
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5O6xKcijcekMb0XvaHWZ9d?si=QhJ1kRv6QNWb_ucUvt1OPg
Image Credits
Victoria Ortiz Erik Ramirez Cecilia Arcos Diana Carolina Martinez Samantha Wong
