Today we’d like to introduce you to Saxy Cat.
Hi Saxy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born into a family of musicians, instruments were the toys I had available growing up.
My parents met playing music for a local church in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Surrounded by music, it wasn’t long before I started fiddling around with different instruments. I was introduced to Piano at 8 years old, soon followed by the Saxophone at 11.
Some kids grow up playing sports, maybe join karate or a local league. I grew up rehearsing, learning songs, performing on a weekly basis. It was a lifestyle I was used to, but it wasn’t until recent years that I decided to take my dedication to music to another level.
In efforts to expand in my craft and music abilities, I challenged myself by starting to post covers on social media. I wanted to learn and play music/sounds that I was attracted to but hadn’t had the chance to explore. I figured this would also lead to opportunity, having a platform for exposure that would allow me to showcase my sound.
Through the ups and downs of learning to navigate social media and content creation, I found myself connecting with old friends and making a lot of new ones. I wanted to take opportunities and challenges as they came with the intention of growth. I started hopping on stage with friends that wanted Saxophone in their music. One opportunity led to another.
I found myself reconnecting with a childhood friend starting a reggae fusion band called ZenZag. I thought it would be interesting to explore a new genre and have fun. After a few rehearsals we found ourselves booking our first show at Winston’s Beach Club for the fun of it. Since then, shows and opportunities have snowballed into what life is now. In one year, we were able to accomplish things we didn’t expect, and we continue to surprise ourselves time and time again.
Though I’m heavily involved in ZenZag, I also strive to continue to release music and covers as a solo artist for fun and personal growth and because creating art is a way of life.
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?
Before I initially started posting covers on social media, I was pretty secretive about the importance of music in my life. Being a stigma in modern society, I was ashamed for being passionate over something most people wouldn’t deem worthy of pursuit- A life as a creative artist.
If I could’ve given a younger version of me some advice, it would have been to believe in myself and embrace the love for my craft. To lose myself to it and chase the life I want.
One of my biggest challenges to overcome recently was the weight of shame and guilt. At times, I’ve had little to no energy to create. I’ve learned to be more patient with myself in those times and focus on the ways I can continue to improve until I find my groove again. It’s taken a while to understand this is the natural flow, to creating art, at least for me. Riding that wave and having fun in the process is the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I have multiple projects I’ve laid the foundation for in 2023. I wanted to do something beyond posting covers on social media and give those that enjoyed the music even more to listen to. I released a cover of Provenza on Spotify under ‘SaxyCat’ and soon after ‘CHANTAJE.’ I look forward to recording more music and releasing it as a way to stay creative and grow in my craft and in my process. This is one way I continue to challenge myself, exploring new sounds, genres, and music to play.
Though I’m primarily known for playing the saxophone, I also write, produce, record, mix, and master my own music under a project titled RavensCry. This project is currently a solo project I created primarily as a way to express myself not only as an artist but as a human being. Journaling my thoughts from time to time, I would hear music in my head along with the words that would project the emotions I was trying to convey. So, I figured I’d make music as a way to heal from past experiences with trauma, abuse, and addiction. Though I wouldn’t consider myself a vocalist, I figured I’d pick up singing as it was appropriate that I’d be the one expressing the words as they were meant to be felt. This led to me releasing my first song under that project, ‘Into the Fray’. This is the first song of many that I wanted to release for a reason. This project is an extension of myself in which I get the opportunity to tell my story.
2023 was my first year working with multiple bands while simultaneously trying to release music. I found myself not hitting my own deadlines and became frustrated, feeling guilty and ashamed when I wasn’t able to stick to my timeline. I learned to be patient with myself and enjoy the process without pressure. In 2024, I look forward to continuing to grow and improve in my process in order to be more consistent as a musician and artist.
Other than my personal projects, being part of ZenZag keeps me plenty busy with shows while recording and releasing music as a band as well! With a group, I’m able to create with friends, and altogether, it’s a different experience compared to working alone, which I enjoy.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
In today’s world, I believe finding a mentor is easy. A mentor can be anyone, dead or alive. I personally like to pick mentors depending on their work ethic, dedication to their craft, and achievements in their respective fields. I have a few mentors that I look up to, such as Miles Davis, Kobe Bryant, David Goggins, and Kendrick Lamar. Mentors I look up to and admire are people that I like to study in ways such as reading autobiographies, listening to interviews, or how their peers speak about them and the stories they tell. Doing this allows me to get to know and understand that person more in ways that might allow me to grow as an artist by understanding their process, habits, and challenges. Though Kobe is not a musician, his passion and dedication to his craft is inspiring. I find myself listening to interviews, watching game highlights, documentaries, and everything I can to absorb his mindset. David Goggins is also inspiring in ways that he pushes limits past expectations more than you probably imagined. I look forward to reading his book ‘Can’t Hurt Me’ this year. Miles Davis and Kendrick Lamar are some of my favorite artist of all time. I look to them for guidance as far how they approach music and the evolution of their craft.
Being introverted, I find mentorship in people that I can learn from but not necessarily accessible to me. This has allowed me to really pick the people I strive to be like, one way or another, and continue to grow as an artist.
Once you know what it is in life that you want to do, then the world basically becomes your library. Everything you view, you can view from that perspective, which makes everything a learning asset for you – Kobe Bryant
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/saxycatmusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/saxycatmusic
Image Credits
Graceful Creatiiix
Vanessa Cindy
