Meet César Rodríguez | Artist & Music Producer

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

Hi César, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I like to think of risk as a scary opportunity for growth. To me, it represents courage, confidence, and hope. I have always been attracted to music that challenges me as a listener, music that makes me want to stop and pay attention to what’s being played. My favorite artists are the ones that take risks and are always evolving, so risk means inspiration to me. Actually, I think pursuing an artistic career is already a risk, probably the most important one to start with. If there is something I’m chasing as an artist, it is innovation, and I believe innovation only comes from taking risks. Every opportunity I’ve taken has come with a certain level of risk, and, so far, I have no regrets in the risks I’ve taken in my career.

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 love creating musical ideas. I channel my creativity through collaborating with artists as a music producer. I mostly work with artists that make art I personally resonate with, so I’m able to help them expand on their message. I try to act as a channel between their ideas and the physical world. I like to think that something that sets me apart from others is my emphasis in working every idea with intention. Rather than focusing solely on sounding good, I try to make music that sounds intentional, so that every decision in the making process corresponds to and enhances the meaning behind the song.

The beautiful thing about art is that you only grow by doing and creating. So, I’ve arrived at this point by completing projects, most of which I had started without even feeling ready to carry out. It hasn’t been easy, mostly because, during the first two years of learning to produce music, the gap between my taste and my technical skills was huge. I had been a musician for 9 years before starting music production, so my understanding of music was somehow
different. Plus, all the physics of sound and technological aspects of music production can be intimidating at the beginning. It’s just about continuing to do it and using all possible resources (the internet, in my case) to learn and avoid getting stuck.

Of all the lessons I’ve learned, I can point out two main positive ones: One is that, as long as I feel I’m following my calling and pursuing it with passion, my career will keep presenting me with the right opportunities. Even though it can take a lot of time, every effort counts. And the second, is to be humble and create in humble spaces. So far, the projects in which I’ve been promised a lot of reward are the ones that have failed, while the ones in which the artist and I have created a secure environment with the intention of learning and growing together have been most fruitful. Just keep it humble, you know?

I honestly don’t know what I want the world to know about me, for now I just want people to read this interview and feel inspired.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some deli breakfast options are La Social or Buena Vista Deli. For sure, I’d take them to Punto Criollo for some small Venezuelan empanadas with queso, cazón, pollo and carne mechada. On our way for a beach day at Ocean Terrace Public Beach, which I think is the best plan, we might pick up a frozen passion fruit juice at 7tyone, or get an açaí bowl at Carrot Express. For dinner, we could get some birria tacos at Uptown 66, go for a burger at Kush, or get some ceviche at SuViche. I personally don’t love Wynwood, but I’d take visitors during the day to contemplate the mural walls and pass by The Taco Stand. I would try to catch a show at The Anderson, Lagniappe or Gramps, and, if I could time travel, for sure I would take you to my favorite spot in Miami: The Center for Subtropical Affairs. Pérez Art and Frost Museums are a must, plus a walk by the bay area. Bonus: I would do my best to catch Golfeados 900’s food truck for the best golfeados in town.

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?
First of all, my family! It’s incredible how they’ve understood and respected my passion from the beginning. They have always supported me in all possible ways, and still do. I remember wanting to quit music when I was 11 because my teacher let me down so many times, but my mom didn’t allow me to stop. My dad always took me to music school, to band rehearsals, to shows in bars, etc. And my brother has always inspired me by showing me good music; he’s the non-musician with the best music taste that I know. I’m currently surrounded by a beautiful crew of friends, who are also collaborators and colleagues from the local music scene. They have inspired me a lot in recent years, especially my friends Filo and April Nicole who have helped me grow so much in the last year, personally and professionally.

Website: https://linktr.ee/delusionbay

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/delusionbay/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZlVHBFOa4-LJpr3dmfbCxg

Image Credits
April Nicole, Dulce Escalante, Aminta Paiz, Gabriel Duque, byKANVAS