Meet Camilo Velandia | Musician & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Camilo Velandia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camilo, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I strongly believe that taking risks, specially uncomfortable ones, are. the way to grow, If I look back at all the times where I felt like I grew the most, I can always pinpoint one crossroad where I had to choose between backing out and playing safe, or taking a risk that could’ve made things go sideways real quick. I first began as a local work for hire guitarist. Doing my first world tour with Julio Iglesias was a big risk for me. I was convinced that I was under-qualified and inexperienced, but I learned and stepped up quickly. The same happened when I was thrown into a scenario where I became a musical director for a band. Also, when I first started producing music. I find that for the most part, all of these skills, were skills that I acquired. IN the field, ON the gig…. not in a classroom, or in a school. Risks have helped me, and continue to help me evolve.

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.
I was convinced that I would just stay a guitarist…. but I got thrown into scenarios where I was able to grow as a musical director, as an arranger, as a producer, and as a recording engineer. I have gotten two latin grammy’s with these skills, which is something I never would’ve believed. However, now that I’ve seen how possible it is to grow and learn other skills related to your main craft, I am completely obsessed with that growth, and with the discomfort that comes from staying in the same situation too long. There are many challenges indeed…. specific projects, specific clients, specific concerts…. but these are all things that MUST be done and MUST be finished.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a coffee addict so maybe we’d go for food and coffee. Love peruvian spots… Dr Limon, Ceviche 105….. but also love coffee. Subculture Coffee, Panther Coffee,

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?
I learned so much about guitar playing from many of my guitar teachers. Namely guitarists like Tom Lippincott, Mitch Farber, Peter Mazza, and Jonathan Kreisberg to name a few. I learned a lot about musical direction working with guys like Pete Wallace (Jon Secada), Jorge Casas (Gloria Estefan). I have learned a lot about production and recording from so many people like Rudy Perez, George Noriega, Julio Reyes, Maria. Elisa Ayerbe, Mike Munoz, and so many more.

Website: www.camilovelandia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camilovelandiamusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamiloVelandiaMusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CamiloVelandia

Image Credits
Photos by Siufer Gonzalez & Isaac Rodriguez