Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Avila.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Every time someone asks me how I started it gets me thinking, because I don’t remember a particular moment, I believe I was just born a musician, I feel like it’s in my veins. The first time I remember having an instrument in my hands I was about 6 or 7 years old and my father had brought home a Cuatro, a little instrument similar to a guitar with 4 strings. I just started playing it my way.
At some point, I switched to guitar and some other instruments. Then, at 11, I went to the conservatory of music in Bogota, and that’s how my music journey officially started, not just because of the theory I was learning, but because of the music around me. In the school halls, there was always someone playing an instrument or singing, and I think sharing with friends and people with the same interest is what makes you really get the passion, and eventually, it’s going to make you grow as an artist.
Then, after some years, music became my whole life and I started taking it very seriously very soon, at age 18, I did my first recording session. I remember it very well, I was so nervous, but it went great and after that day, I never stopped recording, playing, and touring with many artists. When I got here, almost 11 years ago, I had to start from scratch, and learning the language was tough, but after all these years, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and to have built a solid career as a musician… I have so much fun doing what I love!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a long journey and of course, there have been great moments but also some difficult ones. The hardest time in my career was when I moved here. I already had a music career in Colombia, but I had to leave everything because I felt like I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do. Like every immigrant, I had to rebuild my whole life and my career in hopes of meeting the right people, earning their trust, and being capable of playing all the music I was hired to play…
I’ll tell you that even though I studied for my whole life, I felt like if I didn’t keep practicing like crazy I’d fall behind because every day I would find different challenges, but I would also learn so much from every experience. I consider this a fact; you simply cannot stop practicing and learning… which is key to every musician.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a guitar player, producer, and composer. I specialize in recording sessions and have recorded for many artists and many different styles. But I’m a creator, and I’m very proud of my music. I have two albums and you can find them on all platforms. My first album as a solo artist “Heart, Mind, Matter” was recorded in 2009 and it was a compilation of old and new songs I had written throughout the years.
My latest album; “Vintage Soul”, was released this year and it encapsulates my experiences and emotions of my time living here in the US I gotta say that I’ve had a great time touring and promoting it and I’m looking forward to connecting with people in the upcoming shows.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The app Moises, for practicing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://julianavilamusic.com/
- Instagram: @Julianavilaguitar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianavilaguitar
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/f72r4Pq8ftQ
Image Credits:
Saul Larios
