Today we’d like to introduce you to Leyva.
Hi Bryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Man… I don’t know if this is the moment to be brief. My path can’t be summed up in just a few words. Grab some coffee, get comfortable, and I like to tell my story. Let’s hope you find it interesting.
I was born in New Jersey, in 1979. My parents were hella young. Because of them, music has always been a part of my life. My mother played the piano and my dad’s vinyl collection, which stemmed from classic rock, punk rock, a little bit of funk and soul, and a whole lotta salsa and merengue, was the soundtrack to my childhood.
In my early teenage years, back in the ’90s, I fell in love with hip hop and house. I remember my dad telling me that wasn’t even music. Whatever, bro. Sure I find myself telling my son the same thing today, but you know… what do dads know anyway?
In high school, I would always mess around with vinyl, as most of my friends were DJs. I never had the money to get my own setup, so I was more into the breakdancing and graffiti aspect of the hip-hop culture. That didn’t keep me from messing around with the records at every chance I got.
I got through high school and college and learned the guitar and Latin percussion in those years. After getting married at the age of 23 and having my son at 27, I kind of put music on the back burner. Life had other demands, and called for far more serious responsibilities like diapers, formula, and saving for his college tuition. Pursuing a life in music was just too risky. So as my hair continued to fall out, so did the dream of ever being a musician for a living.
I came to accept the idea that music would never be my bread and butter. But that didn’t keep me from making the best of what I considered my reality. I started to DJ house parties for my friends, with my iPad, an app, and two speakers. As minimal as it sounds, it was enough to keep me sane and being a famous DJ to my family and friends was enough to fill the void. I’m still a little upset they never rolled out a red carpet or fed me grapes during my lavish performances in their back yards and living rooms. But whatever. It is what it is. They did, however, push me to go pro, to get out there and find a gig, at a venue, with a real crowd… They kept telling me that I had “it”. Whatever that means. I took it as a joke. Little did I know what was ahead of me. I guess I can forgive them now for the carpet and grapes ordeal, right?
Amongst my friends, two of them were professional dancers, so I would go to their events all the time. To support obviously…. it totally had nothing to do with the perks of the free drinks and paying absolutely no cover and waiting in zero lines. I swear.
Anyway, there was this one event where the DJ was just horrible, even to the layman who had no clue what goes into the art of playing for a dance floor. The girls complained to the manager in my presence, they begged for another DJ. When the manager asked if they had any suggestions, they pointed at me, vouched for me hard, and by the time the conversation was over, I had a confirmed gig, in less than a month.
After changing my diaper and scouring the internet for information on how to use legit, industry-standard, DJ gear, I spent a shitload of money on new music, studied it, practiced my ass off, showed up to the gig, and earned a residency, that would last two years and pay my rent, on the first night. From that moment on, I never looked back. I knew that it was my calling. I knew that it would take sacrifice, solid time management, and ridiculous dedication if I was going to make something of myself.
Now, here I am, ten years later, in total disbelief that I’ve come as far as I’ve come. I’m nowhere near where I want to be. I’m not a household name or anything… yet. But if you told me that I’d play the BPM festival, have Roger Sanchez and his fiancee over for dinner, host a primetime radio show on FM radio, run my own record label, serve as an inspiration to others, and even get a free coffee at Starbucks because the barista recognized me… I’d tell you were batshit crazy. But it’s the truth. All of that is real. All of that has come to fruition and I’ve never been happier.
I’m the proud owner of an up-and-coming record label, Lost Minds Records, that I launched earlier this year with my partner in crime and my very close friend, Chris Clark. He’s also an incredible DJ and producer. Did I teach him everything he knows? Absolutely. Even though he’ll tell you otherwise. I’m kidding… partially.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If anyone ever tells you that it hasn’t been difficult or that they had it easy in their pursuit of success in the music and nightlife industry, chances are they’re lying… or they had some money behind them to help “pay-ve” the way. This industry is as ruthless, shady, and saturated as advertised.
I dove head first into the industry, the minute I committed to making this my career change. I was naive, my expectations were incredibly high from all the smoke blown up my ass, and I wasn’t at all ready for the politics and the bullshit.
Everyone in Miami is either a real estate agent or a DJ… sometimes both. To be taken seriously, to stand out, to push through you need hella thick skin, a true passion for what you do, and a ton of perseverance, because I was challenged in every single aspect.
I played more free gigs than I can count. I even played free gigs that weren’t supposed to be free. I’ve had promoters break promises left and right, managers I’ve had to let go, empty dance floors, guests walking out on my tab, rejection from venues, rejection from agencies, demos rejected by record labels, and last-minute cancellations for out-of-state gigs.. the list goes on and on.
You learn who people really are, and the lessons I’ve learned in this industry have made me more of a skeptic than I ever was. People really take advantage of your desperation for exposure. They sometimes even use your ambition against you.
I just realized that I painted a pretty morbid picture of my experience. My bad. Sincerely, Debbie Downer. All kidding aside, it’s been rough. But I wouldn’t change it for anything at all. I’ve met amazing people (they exist in this industry too), and I have more memories than I could have ever imagined.
The good definitely outweighs the bad. The struggle has built character and added so much more value to my successes. Like I always tell my son, “You can’t truly appreciate success if you haven’t ever failed.”
I’m nowhere near where I want to be in terms of success, but I’m a long way from where I was 10 years ago. Thick skin. Passion. Perseverance.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
To make serious money in the music industry is so difficult. I believe that my time will come. By the time, I mean that moment when music is my only job and all I do for a living. I’m not there yet. Hopefully sometime soon.
To make ends meet and to put food on the table, I’m a consultant at a law firm by day. I strategize with my attorneys on how to best present our evidence in the trial. I’m in court all the time. Do I sneak in my laptop and work on my music whenever possible? You bet your ass I do.
I also freelance as a graphic designer. That’s what I went to school for. So I keep myself creative in that aspect as well. I specialize in corporate identity, branding, and marketing. I’ve found my way to incorporate this into my place in the music industry as well, by designing logos and press kits for fellow artists and record labels.
As much as I dislike having to work a 9-5, I use it as fuel to my fire. The disdain I have for the day job pushes me even harder to get better and work harder at my music so that one day it’ll be enough to provide for my family.
I think what sets me apart is what I’m also most proud of… and that would be my ability to manage my time, and put out my best in every aspect, while still dealing with a 9-5, music production, DJ performances, and nurturing a family. It isn’t easy and sleep has become a luxury, but in the end, it will all pay off. I have extreme confidence in that.
For now, my 9-5 feeds the fam, and the music feeds my soul.
What do you think about happiness?
I think the best way to tell you what makes me happy would be to present the most ideal of situations…
I’m at the park, on a sunny day, with the friends and family that I love… I’m in great shape, everyone around me is healthy, and we’re all watching my son ball out for his high school football team. I’ve got enough money in the bank, so I don’t have to worry about going to the concession stand and paying 4 dollars for a soda.
Family. Health. Love. Music. Ice cream.
What else would anybody need to be happy?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/leyva_ofc
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/leyvamusiq
- Other: www.lostmindsrecords.com
