Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Garcia.
Derek, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Grew up watching my sister play piano and sing. I thought I wanted to play piano but one door opened the next. I jumped from piano to guitar. Then, found my love for drums. In high school, I started a band with friends that consisted of really annoying screamo music but it sure was the best therapy around. My experience recording our first demo was when a light bulb really went off in my head. I’ve been in studios before but the addiction of wanting to spend hours and hours suddenly brought clarity in my life. I started learning everything that had to do with the recording process. After high school, I spent one semester at Miami-Dade College and then dropped out. I knew that if there was anything I could spend 18 hours a day doing, it would be music. In 2007, I started working for a recording studio in North Miami Called Circle House Studios for three years. There, I met almost everyone that was in the music community. Around 2010, I had a friend that had a perfect space to build a recording studio. I branched off and started a studio that I could be able to bring friends and clients without having to feel like we were doing it on someone else dime. Around that time, I met a Florida artist by the name of Kodak Black. With the skill I have gained over the years working with countless artists, our work ethic complimented each other really well. For the next years, we stuck by each other side building SniperGang.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course, there are obstacles but I think life comes with ups and downs. The music is supposed to share your story. So, as long as you let your reality be transparent to the music, I think you’ll be just fine.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I think what makes people gravitate towards me is that from start to finish, I’d like to think that all we need is us. Between Producing, Engineering. and Mixing. There isn’t a reason we can’t finish an idea that night. That feeling alone is what I must say makes me most proud. I am never one to compete with people who can probably do what I do. I just know that every artist or client that’s left, felt happy and kept coming back.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
I think in any city if your ear is trained good enough to understand what the general audience would react to, you can make it work. Miami in the past couple of years has made a mark with big artists establishing themselves mainstream. Every city has its moment predicting would be like predicting the lottery but there are patterns to music. The more you pay close attention to the people are you care about. It gives you a better chance to know where to invest your energy in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Dyryk
- Twitter: Dyryk
Image Credit:
WavyLord
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