Today we’d like to introduce you to Agustin Espina.
Agustin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in the music business in the ’80s in my hometown: Maracaibo, Venezuela. Since I was a child, I was surrounded by music. My father had a Piano at my grandma’s house and I used to go there and play for hours. Eventually, my parents got me my first electronic organ. This led me not only to a better understanding of music but also to open the door to my curiosity about how music and electronics interact.
Later, when I became a teenager, I made my first attempts to record at home. At some point, I had the opportunity to visit a professional Recording Studio and from that moment, I realized that it was the kind of environment where I wanted to spend my life!
When I turned 18, I started playing keyboards with local bands. After doing this for about two years, I received a call from a very popular band in Venezuela called “GUACO.” This is a well-established band in Venezuela and Latin America and from that moment, my perception about Music and the Music Business changed. For the first time, I was playing in big venues, festivals, touring my country almost every week and visiting professional studios all around.
My involvement with music production was more evident each day. I started to arrange and produce music for other artists and my curiosity for the recording and mixing process was growing. After years working with this band and as a producer hiring studios for my clients, I decided that I needed my own space. That’s how I founded my first recording studio in Maracaibo: “Audio Media”. For about 15 years I ran this business recording and producing artists in different styles, many of them have been nominated and/or winners of the Latin Grammy Award. I also did a lot of Commercial Jingles for Radio and TV spots, including ESPN.
Maybe two years after opening the Studio, I quit the band so I could dedicate myself to my family and my own business. I eventually played with some major acts and local bands as well, until I produced some music for a local band called “Mermelada Bunch” that became a big success in Venezuela. I got so involved with the band that I ended playing keyboards with them and being an active member, producer and mixer for seven years.
Two years after leaving “Mermelada Bunch,” I moved to Miami. Since I arrived here, I started to work as a “MIDI Programmer” and assistant to Keith Morrison at Kokopelli Sound Studios. This was about ten years ago. Besides my studio job, I played with local bands almost every weekend and producing music for other artists as I always did. Every now and then, I was called to play with Artists like “Yordano,” “Karina,” and José Luis Rodriguez “El Puma,” among others. Somehow, I was “on the radar.” After four years of doing this, I received a call asking for an audition to play with “Los Amigos Invisibles,” a Venezuelan Band discovered in the ’90s by David Byrne that became world-famous. I was so excited about this because I’ve been a fan of “Los Amigos” since they started. After a couple of months waiting for their response, Julio, the singer, called to tell me that I was selected to be the keyboardist of the band.
At this point, I had to “reactivate” the “touring musician” beneath. Since the year 2014, I’ve been touring again, but now all over the world with this band. Also, the need to have again my own space where I could work on my musical projects became a priority. That’s how in 2018, after years of planning, I started “Funky Lab Studios” or “The Funky Lab” as people know it.
“The Funky Lab” was designed by Producer and Engineer Keith Morrison. It’s the result of years working in other studios, learning from other producers and engineers. At this point, the business is running and “Making Noise” in the Miami Music Scene. Finally, after years of work and learning, I’m able to offer my clients a place where creativity flows and Music comes first.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, you find some minors obstacles here and there along with your career, but definitely, the biggest challenge for me was moving to Miami. Starting again from scratch is not easy. No matter how much you did and/or achieved in your “patio.” As my father told me one time: “everything out of your backyard will be more difficult,” and once you leave your country, you are all by yourself.
The good news is that the harder you work, the better it gets! Going through all the situations involved in starting again as a musician and producer in a new country prepares you for the next step. You challenge yourself. You raise the bar so you can compete for your own spot in the “big leagues”! That’s how I see it. Everyday, we have something to learn from. We fall and stand up again. We meet people in the process that becomes part of our success. We also meet people that show us what “not to do.” I’m grateful for passing through this process. By the end of the day, nobody said that good is easy.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
“Funky Lab Studios” is a place for creativity. Is the place where the “clients” that became friends get together to make music. That’s what I love about the studio. To serve as a “conduit” for music is what keeps us alive. For me, create at the studio is like breathing!
Some of the services offered are Music Production, Vocal and Instruments Recording, Keyboards Recording, Audio Editing and Mixing Both “in place” or remotely. If I have to mention something that “sets me or my business apart from others,” I think that being involved in this field for more than 30 years, playing different styles of music, learning from every artist or band I have played with, recording in so many studios and learning from great producers and engineers is my most appreciated asset. Being able to help with your experience is something great! To share your success and your mistakes can avoid a lot of pain and save a lot of time and money in this industry!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Miami. It’s the perfect mix of Latin and American culture and music! Depending on where you are, it can be so relaxed or so vibrant! For me, it’s a plus to live and have my studio in such a calm and relaxed place as Homestead and also being able to drive 30 miles and be in Miami Beach! I definitely love that balance! Now, that being said, if I have to complain about something, that’s traffic!. I can’t understand why such an important and active place like Miami does not have an efficient public transportation system. I honestly think that wider freeways is not the answer. Maybe it’s time to provide the Great Miami people with more effective ways of commuting!
Contact Info:
- Email: funkylabstudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @agustinespinamusic #TheFunkyLab
- Twitter: @agustinespina
Image Credit:
Apolonia Rios, Carlos Montosa, Orestes Gómez, Agustin Espina
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