Meet Jose Gutierrez

We recently connected with Jose Gutierrez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jose, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
As I made music over the years I realized I wanted a specific sound. I worked with different engineers and they weren’t giving me that sound. I wanted something warm. I needed that vintage tone that only a reel to reel would give me. I made the move myself to a tube amp, but it wasn’t enough. I needed a studio that had equipment that would give me that 50s-60s feel. Most importantly, I needed to be a part of post-production. I began to sit down with the engineer after the record was cut and started telling him what to mute and what to accentuate. I basically had a say in how every instrument sat in the mix. No one told me to do it. I took the initiative because if not I wouldn’t have been satisfied with the end product.

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 recall listening to K-Earth 101 at the age of 13 and by this point I had 5 years of performing for thousands under my belt. Entertaining a crowd came naturally, but composing music came from the old timers of the Central American diaspora who were a part of the Buenas Epocas era. This was a time in El Salvador before the Civil War when bluesy rock, psychedelic echoes, and funk & soul reigned supreme. This is the style that I pay homage to; updated with a modern touch, which I call SalviSoul

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Learn about layering

The thing that takes a song from average to memorable is the way that instruments (including your voice) are layered in the mix. I will also add that most people say the more the better, but sometimes it’s also good to let the track breathe. Really get in the groove. It’s a fine balance that takes time to perfect. If after the final mix the hairs on your head stand up, you know you got something special.

2) Trust your studio engineer

You need to find someone you can vibe with. Not a yes man. Someone who’s also not afraid to tell you to record it over and over again. I remember when I recorded my single “One Last Time.” The engineer had me record my rhythm guitar like a dozen times and I was getting more frustrated each time because I thought it was as perfect as it can get. The end result was a groovier take. He wasn’t looking for perfect. He was looking for a tight take. Something that blended beautifully with the drums. I even have proof in a video outtake. The earlier takes don’t even compare to the magic created in that last take.

3) Promote

You put a lot of hard work into making your music. Now get out there and promote it. Don’t only look in your town. Go to other cities, states, and countries. I love going to San Diego and The Bay to promote my music. I also lived in Portland and have promoted my music there. Just recently I made a trip to El Salvador and took some records there. 6 months later and I got a concert planned for the summer with legendary band Los Vikings. Promote far and near. Everyone deserves to experience your music.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I would say it has to be engaging the crowd. I spoke to a female soul singer recently. She has an amazing voice, but she said she feels nervous when she gets in front of a large crowd. She said people told her they could’t tell in her singing. I asked her, do you think people could tell if she’s nervous in any other ways? She said she was really stiff up on stage. She didn’t move much at all. I told her that’s a clear way that shows she’s not comfortable on stage.

I’m a mental health therapist in my day job and know a lot about body language. It’s important to read your audience, engage with your audience, and even ask them for energy back. I encouraged her to setup a routine before her performance. Something that can hp ground her and alleviate some anxiety. Then I advised her to mimick the emotions she is singing about with her arms, hands, and head. We can use our body to communicate too. Lastly, I mentioned to interact with the audience. Smile, joke around, ask them where they’re coming from, and send good vibes.

I feel like I’ve been able to improve in all these facets of performance since I’ve released records and have hit various venues promoting new projects.

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