We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aurora Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Aurora, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose fairly quickly, without even realizing it. Sometimes it feels like it was staring me in the face, just out of focus until the right moment. Music was always around me thanks to my family and thanks to me immediately wanting to explore learning guitar and always singing. That soon lead to me wanting to write songs. It was through exploring that passion and going through hardships, while seeing friends and family going through their own hardships that made it all come into focus. As much as I needed music to help myself, I needed music to help them. I took my perception and channeled it into something for them to listen to, to read, to sing with me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the singer and guitarist for my solo group, Angels From Ashes. I weave several distinctive influences into my music, which I believe is what makes my music fun and special to listen to in its own sense. My influences range from Deftones, to Flyleaf, to Motionless In White, and to any number of Chris Cornell’s projects and more. My music is a reflection of my life, which many parts may be a mirror image for anyone else’s journey. Last year was my debut and a learning process for me, which I cherish. Currently, I have a few exciting things in store that I can’t wait to share.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Without a doubt I can say, not being afraid to look or sound stupid. In reality, we’re all still learning. Do not let your pride get in the way. I’m as stubborn as they come and I take pride in doing things myself, however knowing it’s okay to ask questions or to ask for help or advice will take you much further along. I used to be the kid in Q&A’s asking musicians and bands entirely what I should know. I researched so much from online interviews and eventually reached out to people I knew could help. I let myself become vocal. Another quality I’d say is definitely not putting myself in a box. Art is supposed to be freeing, so why corner myself? I let my influences remain open and interconnected through my creative process. It’s much easier to let everything naturally happen and truly feel what you’re doing instead of forcing something you just happen to like. Listening to what feels right was the best advice I got from a singer I looked up to and it’s gotten me far with my songwriting.
Lastly. . .Resilience. That’s such a key thing. In a world of numbers and algorithms it’s so easy for people to become discouraged and feel like they’re getting nowhere. You have to keep your head up though and focus on the wins you get, no comparisons, just your gratitude and your goals. The next wave of wins will come, have faith in yourself.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
That’s an easy answer; The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s one of my favorite books I’ve ever read and I will tell people in my life about it time and time again. It doesn’t matter what your goals in life are or what you’re passionate about, I promise this book can be applied to you. It shows how everyone may have different goals, but we share similar journeys. There’s a few takeaways from that story that I always carry with me, however the main ones would include that the universe is conspiring to help you when you truly want something. You can’t let yourself doubt yourself or your dreams when you don’t see all that’s at work. There’s a choice in falling and letting yourself stay down or seeing your strength and getting back up. That of course, the journey you’re on is just as important as the destination you’re looking for; so remember to stop and look around and then keep going.
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