Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Rose Gumataotao.
Hi Sara Rose, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into music began in my youth through attending shows and music festivals, which sparked my passion for the scene. I eventually started curating local shows, as many of my friends were musicians. In 2017, I saved up for a DJ mixer and asked a DJ friend to teach me the basics. From there, I dove into DJing, creating mixes and sharing them on SoundCloud. I practiced in my soundproof apartment closet for about a year until landing my first live show in 2018.
After that, I broke into the San Diego music scene and played local shows consistently, with a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. In late 2021, I joined the DJ collective Project Seismic, one of the best decisions I’ve made. Being part of a collective gave me invaluable community support and allowed us to build a name for ourselves while reaching a broader audience.
More recently, I’ve become a member of Kyra Collective, Bass N Babes, and Luna Wave Collective—femme and queer-led groups that have been incredibly supportive and inspiring throughout my music career. I’m honored to be part of communities that prioritize representation and inclusivity within the music industry.
As my career progressed, I expanded beyond San Diego, making my LA debut and playing an Insomniac event where I opened for Whipped Cream—one of the biggest bookings of my career. Wanting to grow further as an artist, I enrolled in the music production program at ICON Collective, where I’m set to graduate by 2025. The program has been an amazing learning experience, helping me evolve from a DJ into a producer.
Currently, I’m on a show hiatus, with my last performance in January 2024. I’ve been focusing on life, school, and avoiding burnout from balancing shows, work, and studies. This time away has been grounding, but I’m excited to return to performing and sharing my original music. Stepping back made me realize how much I love performing and being part of such a supportive, creative community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I feel incredibly fortunate for my music career path and am deeply thankful for the friends I’ve made and the supportive communities I’ve been part of and continue to grow with. One of my biggest challenges has been balancing my music career with other aspects of life, including work, school, and spending time with family and friends.
Enrolling in a music production program made me realize just how important music is to me—it’s been a transformative force in my life. The journey has required me to prioritize, sacrifice, focus, and push myself out of my comfort zone like never before. I’ve had to change old habits and confront my fears about school, which has never been easy due to my learning disabilities (ADHD, dyscalculia) and mental health conditions (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
I’m open about these challenges because I know others may be navigating similar experiences, and I want them to know they’re not alone. While these obstacles have made learning music production difficult at times, they haven’t stopped me from pursuing my passion and continuing to grow.
Additionally, navigating the music industry as a queer femme has come with its own set of challenges, particularly due to a historical lack of representation and difficulty finding community. However, I’m hopeful and inspired by the progress I’ve seen and the meaningful connections I’ve built along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently work as an Independent Living Skills Instructor for adults with developmental disabilities and as an Adult Gym Swim Instructor. My specialties lie in the educational and mental health fields, where I’ve worked with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I take pride in every role I’ve held and the valuable experience I’ve gained throughout my career. Pursuing a career in music therapy feels like the perfect blend of my passions. What sets me apart is my energetic, spirited approach to life—I encourage authentic self-expression and embracing our unique, even “cringey,” sides.
How do you think about happiness?
What brings me the most joy is music. It has been my healer, motivator, companion, and a constant coping tool throughout my life. Beyond music, I find happiness in spending time with family and friends, attending live concerts, enjoying comedy, expressing myself through art and performance, swimming, weightlifting, traveling, and, of course, caring for my three beloved cats. I’m grateful to have many sources of happiness, but these are the ones that stand out the most. All of these things allow me to live in the moment and make me feel alive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rosesgrimoire
- soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/rcwfczVKFiobxomC8
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/photography.bemm?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== https://www.instagram.com/marloweeeeeeeeeeeeee?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== https://www.instagram.com/jajophoto?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
