Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandro Bustamante-Martinez.
Hi Alejandro, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began figuring out my career path as early as High School. While attending a cruise ship vacation with my family, I found myself enrolled in a Photoshop beginner’s course. I had never touched the program before but as soon as I saw its capabilities and features the only thing, I could think of was how I could push its limits. While attending High Tech High International, my love and passion for graphic design only grew stronger. Many of our class projects required the use of Photoshop, I would find myself working on designs, reading up on tutorials, and entering contests during my free time. By the time I had to apply to colleges, I had assembled a very unique design portfolio, which helped me land an acceptance into UCLA’s DESMA (Design + Media Arts) program. Unfortunately, during my time in college, I found my interests in graphic design to slowly fade. I started to view it as a requirement instead of a hobby, it just wasn’t as enjoyable for me anymore. My passions had started to shift into the music world as I had bought a set of DJ gear and a laptop to produce music. I began to play fraternity parties which led me to play at some of LA’s biggest clubs. I eventually ended up winning Redbull’s Thre3style (So-Cal) college DJ competition and also becoming the no. 2 College DJ in the nation via the Campus DJ competition. DJ’ing helped me discover so much new talent and sparked my interest in finding out how the music industry works.
Right before I graduated UCLA, I was offered an internship at Steve Angello’s (Swedish House Mafia) record label SIZE Records. My role was to sort expenses and create some promotional assets for the releases here and there. It wasn’t until Steve Angello left his management company at the time that I was offered a full-time role. In 2014 I officially became SIZE Record’s Digital Coordinator where I would manage the online brand and identity (social media + websites) of the label and all of its artists (Steve Angello, AN21, Max Vangeli, Third Party, etc.). Other tasks included developing social media campaigns for our releases and creating various assets for the label/artist’s social media pages. After being let go in 2015 I made my return down to San Diego to live at home while figuring out what I wanted to do next. I was discouraged in losing a job that I loved and had difficulty accepting the fact that there wasn’t that much money in the electronic music industry.
Luckily during my time at SIZE had I met DJ/Producer Junior Sanchez, a legend in the scene who has officially remixed artists like Madonna, Daft Punk, Katy Perry, & Gorillaz to name a few. Sanchez reached out to me and asked me to help manage his record label – Brobot Records. From there I learned in many failed attempts on how a label works and how to run one – everything from developing artist contracts to submitting all of the required deliverables to distribution for a release.
It wasn’t until 2017 where a friend of mine stumbled upon a Facebook post from the famed House & Techno event promoters FNGRS CRSSD looking for interns. After being to the first few festivals I became a huge fan and immediately applied. It was a no-brainer as I still wanted to be in the music industry but live in San Diego. I began at FNGRS CRSSD as a marketing intern, helping out with social media and updating the company’s websites. I slowly began to show the team my true potential; like my musical knowledge in the vast genres of electronic music and my strength in graphic design. Fast forward a year in a half later and I was offered a full-time position as a Marketing Manager. During that period, I helped the company by coming up with creative marketing concepts and designing eye-catching show flyers + assets to boost ticket sales. My time there came to an abrupt end when the COVID-19 outbreak begun. If I remember correctly CRSSD was one of the last shows pre-pandemics, literally a few days before the world went into full lockdown. They say everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that now, especially after the pandemic. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have found my current job.
While living off of unemployment for almost two years, I found myself struggling with the notion of whether I should continue to work in the music industry or not. During the pandemic, I had a strong sense urge to have a major shift in my life. I applied to all sorts of companies in different areas of the world. It wasn’t until around February of 2021 that I was offered a job at SALXCO. SALXCO is currently the leading artist management company in the world, managing talent such as; The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Swedish House Mafia, French Montana, M.I.A., Bebe Rexha, along with 60+ more clients. I serve as the companies Creative Manager where I conceptualize and design final album artworks for record labels, create one sheets/pitch decks to secure high-level branding and business deals, and help out with any other creative needs. It truly is a dream job and am excited to see where it takes me along the way.
I still mange Brobot records along with X-bop a label I helped start for John Roberts (American actor, comedian, and writer who voices Linda Belcher on the animated sitcom Bob’s Burger). I also have continued my DJ career under a new alias DJ’ing and producing House music (Currents).
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?
There has been so many struggles but the payoff as always been greater in the end. It is key to stick it through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Graphic Designer and DJ/Producer. I believe that my work ethic and clientele is what sets me apart from others. I’ve been able to work with artists and companies that have a huge impact on myself and the world. It truly motivates me to be a part of something big and something that I care for.
What do you think about luck?
Luck has been a huge part of my life. I think things have fallen into place nicely after all of the struggles. It somehow always works out as long as you keep consistent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alejandrobustamante.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbustamove/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alexbustamove/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Alexbustamove/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/currentsmusic
