Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Freddy Echiverri
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Seeing the first KISS Alive! album at a friend’s house when I was around 8 years old changed everything. They looked like cartoon characters come to life. Paired with the music, the whole experience was completely all-encompassing — larger than life, loud, mysterious, and unforgettable.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It began with that early introduction to KISS, but that only made me more curious about other music. Artists like David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Elton John, and ELO opened even more doors. Then came Metal (Def Leppard), New Wave (The Cure), Pop (Prince), Alternative (REM), and Punk (Sex Pistols)— all exploding onto the scene around the same time.
The late ’70s and early ’80s had so much to offer an eager ear. Every style brought something different, and all those influences eventually merged together, pushing me to want to play music myself. It started with learning the songs I loved, but over time, that evolved into creating my own music — music shaped by all those sounds, styles, and eras that first sparked my imagination.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
The stories behind my current musical projects are never forced. I create as the music comes to me — sometimes through a riff, sometimes a melody that suddenly appears in my head.
The music business has changed drastically over the years, but being able to create music from home has become its own form of therapy from daily life. My process now is simple: record a demo, upload it to platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and ReverbNation to see how people react, and if there’s genuine interest, I’ll release it wider through Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services.
But for me, it’s never really been about the money. The real reward is when someone connects to a song and relates to it through their own experiences. That shared feeling between artist and listener is what has always mattered most to me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My sound can vary depending on the song, but most people would describe it as guitar-driven melodic music. The themes shift from song to song — love, love lost, self-awareness, humor, rebellion, and the everyday experiences that make us human.
I’ve always tried to write music that feels relatable to the listener. Whether it’s something deeply personal or just an observation about life, the goal is the same: to create songs people can connect with in their own way and make part of their own story.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One of the biggest parts of my journey has been learning how to use studio equipment in a way that truly translates the emotion of the music and vocals. Recording is more than just capturing sound — it’s about capturing feeling.
Every layer, effect, vocal take, and guitar tone plays a part in bringing the emotion of a song to life. Over time, I’ve learned that the studio itself can become an instrument, helping shape the atmosphere and energy of the music in ways that connect more deeply with the listener.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I use Logic Pro and tend to keep my setup fairly simple. I use several guitars and amps to capture different tones, textures, and moods depending on what the song calls for.
Most songs begin with a riff or melody that suddenly hits me, and I’ll immediately record the idea before it disappears. Sometimes everything flows naturally and a song is completed in a single day. Other times, a track can take months — even years — to fully come together and match the vision I originally had in mind.
That’s part of the creative process for me. Some songs arrive quickly, while others reveal themselves little by little over time.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying It’s the Long Goodbye by The Twilight Sad. It has that atmospheric, emotional sound that feels very reminiscent of the early ’80s college radio experience — the kind of music you’d discover late at night and immediately connect with.
There’s a depth and mood to it that feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time, which is something I’ve always been drawn to musically.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Almost all of my songs are rooted in personal experiences and life events, though some lean more into observations and commentary about the culture and world around us.
Songs like “Can You Hear the Sound?” and “You Think You Know Me” are more socially driven, reflecting thoughts and frustrations about modern culture and communication. “The Painted Door” takes a different approach, inspired by the narrative and atmosphere of a favorite book that stayed with me long after reading it. Then there are songs like “Mr. Moon” and “On the Run,” which are much more personal and reflective.
No matter the subject, I’ve always tried to write honestly — whether it’s a social observation, a story, or something deeply personal — because those are the songs that tend to connect most with listeners.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
What I want most is for the listener to become completely submerged in the emotion I’m trying to convey. Whether the song is personal, reflective, rebellious, or story-driven, the goal is always the same — to create something that emotionally pulls the listener in.
As a songwriter, I hope the music can transport people for a few minutes and allow them to disappear into the story, the mood, and the feeling behind the song. To me, that connection between music and the listener is what makes a song truly meaningful.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music is therapy. Whether you’re the listener or the creator, it offers an escape from the pressures, problems, and noise of everyday life. It has the power to inspire and comfort at the same time — to provide a spark when you need energy and a sense of consolation when you need understanding.
That’s what has always drawn me to music. Beyond entertainment, it becomes something emotional and personal — a place to process life, reflect, and connect with feelings that are sometimes hard to put into words.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Glastonbury Festival, Wembley Stadium, South by Southwest (SXSW), and Madison Square Garden.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Prince – Prince is basically the definition of total creative control. He didn’t just write songs—he shaped entire sonic worlds. Guitar-driven when he wanted, synth-heavy when he needed, always emotional underneath it. His work is a blueprint for the idea that genre is optional if the feeling is real.
Paul McCartney (with the Beatles) – McCartney’s strength is melodic instinct. Even in the Beatles era, his writing was about accessibility layered with emotional depth—simple on the surface, but incredibly crafted underneath. That balance between immediate hook and deeper feeling is a big reason those songs still hold up.
Billy Idol – Billy Idol brought attitude into the post-punk / new wave space. Stripped-down riffs, punchy hooks, and a rebellious edge that felt direct and unfiltered. It’s energy-first music, but still rooted in strong melodic structure.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can search my music on most platforms, but most of the new stuff can be found on SoundCloud.
SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/freddy-n-echiverri?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AztbxFQ9m345XZqzrPduy?si=Tca2cKV5Qte526UahBSAZA
ReverbNation – https://www.reverbnation.com/FreddyEchiverri
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
“Really, it’s about connecting with fans. I’d love to hear their feedback and stories about how my music may have affected them. I’ll continue creating because it’s what I truly enjoy doing.”
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
“I hope listeners discover a sense of authenticity and connection with me as an artist and as a person. I want the music to reflect who I am in a real, honest way, so they can connect with it on a deeper level beyond just the sound.
As for this particular song, the influence can come from a mix of things—sometimes it’s rooted in the meaning behind the lyrics, and other times it’s shaped by the genres that inspire the overall feel and production. At the end of the day, I try to write music that’s true to myself first, and if others connect with it or enjoy what I create, that’s always a meaningful bonus.”
