Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Andrés Soto
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest musical memory is probably listening to Cuban music in my house, 60’s/70’s rock, and western classical music. Some of the first artists I remember hearing as a child were Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Club, Beethoven, and The Beatles.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Though I have been creating music for as long as I can remember, I got more serious about music creation over the COVID-19 pandemic. With all the extra time on my hands, I got inspired and tried recreating as many Beatles tunes as I could using a DAW. Eventually, I got pretty skilled with Logic Pro X, and I started writing my own music. I learned how to sample old songs, made beats, and grew to love the arranging process of combining different harmonies and instrumental tracks. Simultaneously, I studied jazz in high school and college, and improvisation was a big inspiration for my writing; learning to improvise in a group setting gave me the confidence to express my own voice with my own compositions.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My solo album, “Sens of Urgency,” was born in a challenging time in my life; the combination of a harsh winter and deteriorating interpersonal relationships set the stage for my 13-song album, which was a testament to my experiences with fear, uncertainty, and isolation. I am currently working on my second record, and it will deal with emotional fallout and darkness while opting for more simple instrumentations/arrangements.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I would say that my music feels like a combination of Neon Indian, Discovery, The Beatles, and Jai Paul. It has electronic elements and is ultimately rooted in groove and melody.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
The importance of melody- if you can sing your melodies comfortably without the rest of the song being there, and it still gets stuck in your head, it’s worth exploring.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My favorite instrument to write on is the piano, though guitar would be a close second. The benefits of these two instruments is that you can play the melody and harmony at the same time, so it gives me the best insight to how the overall arc of the tune will develop. Other than that, I always keep a journal on me where I can write down lyrical/thematic ideas.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
My current go-to is Headache & Vegyn. Check out the new record “Thank You for Almost Everything!”
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A lot of the personal experiences that I draw from when I create music deal with emotions and interactions with other people. I learn a great deal from participating in jam sessions and hearing what other people have to say; I feel that one can never listen too much to other people, and when it comes to creating music, a wide range of perspectives is arguably your best weapon. Other than that, listening to myself is also important- whether it’s the end of a relationship or the start of something beautiful, it is important for me to be honest with myself so that I can give the most candid representation of my feelings. In short, listening to others as well as myself has enabled my creativity and confidence.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
More than anything, I hope that my listeners do not feel alone in their struggles. Some of my greatest memories with music are times when I felt really down, and I listened to a song or album that reminded me of the ubiquity of human struggle. If someone listens to my music and feels a little stronger and a little less alone in their challenges, I would be really happy.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music has taught me to be the best listener I can be. This doesn’t only apply to performance settings, but also to everyday life. After enough live performances, you realize that you can play the hippest idea and it won’t mean a thing if the context is not right; timing is everything, and you can improve your own timing by listening to those of others!
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Glastonbury is definitely one of my top venues that I would love to play at- I’ve always admired a lot of groups that played there, as well as the audience’s dedication. One particular performance that stands out to me is Bloc Party’s from 2009; after seeing that video, it quickly became a dream venue for me!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Though this is one of the hardest questions with arguably no wrong answer, I think my choice would have to be Stevie Wonder. He’s written some of the most important and truly universal songs of all time, and if I ever got the chance to be in a room with him to write a tune, I would feel like the luckiest person alive!
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My dream is to continue diving into the jazz scene to learn from my peers as well as the greats, while continuing to write my own compositions. I want to explore the importance of simple, meaningful statements in music; I don’t want to ever waste one note!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I want listeners to discover that though music is something to be studied and respected, everyone can engage in it and be a part of the tradition! It doesn’t take the fanciest gear, the biggest record label, or the most complex chords or time signatures to create something timeless and worthy of appreciation.
