Meet Alejo Rodríguez Sánchez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejo Rodríguez Sánchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejo, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
If you’ve never listened to the song, “Thank you For The Music” by ABBA, the beginning of the second verse goes “Mama says I was a dancer before I could walk. She says I began to sing long before I could talk”. My life as an artist can first be described by the second phrase in that verse. I have always singing and humming to myself every second of every day for as long as I can remember. Even when it came to school or doing any physical activities like Soccer or Ice Skating as a little kid, I would easily be distracted by music and singing, which in the moment wasn’t necessarily a good thing. My parents wanted me to focus on my homework but I would always say “Yo vívo en la musica” (“I live in music”). So it was definitely no secret to anyone who knew me that I was a very creative and theatrical. Then as I grew up, I took interest in other musical forms like playing piano, doing musical theatre, writing and producing music and they were all these artistic and creative things that not only brought me so much joy and confidence but I also had a real knack for. I honestly do not know where I would be without music. It’s the foundation of my life!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Colombian-American; (They/Them)
I am a SInger, Composer/Songwriter, Producer, Vocal Arranger, and Beatboxer. I got my Bachelor of Music in Music Theory & Composition with Voice as my primary instrument from Florida State University. I was part of FSU’s award-winning premier A Cappella group, All-Night Yahtzee, where I served as the group Music Director, Arranger, and Beatboxer. I garnered multiple awards for my arranging and beatboxing at the International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella, or the ICCAs for short (Yes! the one that’s in Pitch Perfect!). Post-college, I collaborate with arrangers and collegiate groups, providing custom arrangements, professional demos and learning tracks, as well as mixing services for recording projects

I have written music for the stage, having gotten the opportunity my senior year of high school to record my song, “Days From Long Ago” with Broadway musicians who play in the orchestra pits of shows like Hamilton and Wicked and well known Broadway Vocalists like Solea Pfeiffer & Rachel Zegler. In Addition, I am currently in the works of releasing a 3-song EP of music for a show I am currently writing called My Elijah, a queer love story set in a time of global conflict.

Making a living off of your artistry is always a gamble, ask any musician out there! There is a lot of searching for gigs, in-person & virtual networking, investing in your craft with things like equipment, traveling, etc. For me, there were many times where I felt like I was making my way up and other times where I felt completely still or falling. However, reminding myself of why I’m doing this, looking back at the highs and lows that got me here, and allowing myself to be inspired has made the journey to today worth it.

Some of the biggest things that I have learned, especially being both an artist of color and of Trans experience, is that:
1. Very few people create art that’s for you and if they do, it’s rarely authentic!
2. Never put yourself in one single box as an artist! The Music Industry is already trying to do that to people so own every skill you got!
3. There is always room for you, even if people will make it feel like there isn’t.
4. “The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing!” – Andre De Shields (2019)
5. “The things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful” – Ben Platt (2017)

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
– Going to Dania Beach
– Palacio de los Jugos (just south of MIA; Some of the best Latin food in South Florida)
– I’m a Weston-raised Colombian so I will be taking them to: Las Rikuras de Weston, La Pequeña Colombia, Pan Pa Ya, & El Colombiano
– Frost Museum of Science
– Catch a show at either the Adrienne Arsht Center or Broward Center for the Performing Arts (Gorgeous performance venues in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, respectively).
– Taking the Brightline Train up and down the coast of South Florida
– If it’s June, Go to Wilton Manors for Pride
– Shop at Sawgrass Mills or Dolphin Mall

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
– My Parents and Sister: My biggest cheerleaders and confidants
– My Music Teachers growing up: Michelle Ameerally, Sandra Esmeralda Rivera, Carlos Montoya, Dr. Sahoko Sato Timpone
– The Composition Faculty at the FSU College of Music
– My family in Colombia
– Overall anyone in my life who took a chance on me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its.alejomusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejo-rodríguez-sánchez-ab13b4303

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@its.alejomusic

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2mg7tsu6NSWCA3kw6QSa3b?si=klkYEcymTQ-KbQ_B9k67XA

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alejandro-rodriguez/1498468424

Contact: alejo@alejomusic.com

Image Credits
Abby Marcil
NLA Projects