Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Andrew De Guzman.
Hi Ian Andrew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My musical journey started with my fascination with music at an early age watching VH1 Behind The Music as a kid. I was enamored at an early age watching documentaries of artists behind the scenes and always wanted to find my footing in the music industry. Fast forward to my teenage years, I decided that it would be a good thing for me to pick up playing drums after watching Tre Cool from Greenday’s past music videos wailing on drum kits. In my sophomore year of High School, after years of playing drums solo to countless songs on my Sony Mini Disc player, I decided to venture out and find an Emo/Post Hardcore band to play with. That first band I play with was called “In This City.” We played our own version of Post/Hardcore of that time period and it was a great experience for learning how to work/perform in a band.
Fast forward to my time as a younger adult, I’ve done everything from playing house parties as a DJ to recording local rappers in my bedroom, working promo for local radio stations, interning at various notable organizations that were in some way linked to the music industry, and anything/everything in between. Nowadays, I’m happy to say nowadays I am currently working as a freelance Audio Engineer/Producer with reoccurring clients, being a fill in/studio drummer for artists, as well as a Theatrical Electronics Technician for a day job as my thing at the moment. Shout out to Small Talk, Rose King, Loud Poetry, Onlychrisang, and the countless others for trusting me with your art and also being excellent clients to work with.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely not a smooth ride or straight path by no means. Looking back, I did a lot of things that we’re not lined up to the path of being an audio engineer/producer just to survive and pay bills. I even went on a hiatus after getting into my last relationship and being pressured to take steady work and that in turn along with many other circumstances stances caused me to fall from music from 2014-2018. After that ship sailed, I decided to go full force at the dream and haven’t looked back since. My advice to any creative out there is to not listen to what others have to say about where you need to be at, do what makes your soul feel free, and disregard any energies or entities that try to distract you from your passions.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For starters, I do a mix of things. I am currently juggling several music clients, rehearsing for a few upcoming shows, working at my day job as a Theatrical Services Electronic Technician, and trying to balance a personal life. I try not to think too much about what I’m known for but if I were to guess, I’m known for how I treat my clients and going above and beyond for them. My goal is to have my clients feel mostly like creative buddies that I love working with. I’d say I’m most proud of my heavy emphasis on practicing good customer service with every client I work with. I’m a firm believer that striving for that is a good recipe for repeat business and good rapport.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ll make this short but sweet but the most important lesson that I’ve learned was to not let the money dictate what I spend most of my time on career-wise. I learned that doing what feeds your soul is the most important thing and doing whatever you need to do in order to achieve that is paramount.
“Stay hungry, stay foolish”
Steve Jobs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ianandrew.media
https://instagram.com/dragonsdenstudios.sd - SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/iandeguzmanportfolio
Image Credits:
Gerardo Santacruz Noah Greyson Victor Andrade Annika Cimas Alex Celestial
Ian De Guzman
