Meet Nomad | Recording Artist/Producer

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

Hi Nomad, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Aurora, Colorado originally. I was raised in a working class environment from a humble family. We had to move around several times in my youth due to my Dad’s work. When I was younger, he was out of town often so my Mom, my sister, and I would hold down the house and each other. I found myself always playing music from most genres at a young age. Moving around a lot, I learned how to be adaptable, to appreciate the present, and be okay with relationships being temporary. A result of this is a fostered appreciation for those in my life that I care about and that reciprocate that back to me. We always did okay and I consider myself blessed for my background because it shaped who I am today and I wouldn’t be able to make the music I do today without those experiences.

As I got older, I took my frequent alone time and put it towards my musical influences like the guitar, violin, and writing. At one point in the summer I would spend about 8 hours each day practicing the guitar and learning songs. In high school I played in a couple bands and would frequent shows around New York where I was living at the time. I loved the energy of live performance and that same rush is what pushes me today to strive for success at the highest levels.

Eventually I started to DJ at parties while studying at the University of Colorado Boulder and focus in on producing and mixing. I would freestyle with my friends in the car and eventually I got the confidence to start recording my own tracks. I would spin with my friends in the dorm room to try different blends of sonic styles and we would push each other to be better and more technical in how we put our sets together.

I look at that time in my life as prep work for today where I play guitar, rap, make beats, and engineer for other artists. I’d like to think that I have great range as an artist who can make music in different genres and keep things fresh. When my buddy Tim convinced me to move down to Miami to focus on my music career, it was all of my life experiences growing up that gave me the confidence to pack everything in my car, make the five day drive with less than $3,000 in my account, do whatever jobs I could finesse for money, and find my way into several music studios around South Florida. In my life I’ve been seen as an underdog and while I used to think that meant the odds were unsurmountable, I ultimately realized that meant the wins would be even sweeter. I found a trust and reliance in myself that I didn’t have before. I’ve become more empathetic and aware which I think helps build relationships and community. My music has improved because I’m coachable enough to listen to others and take feedback, try new techniques, change my process, and keep a growth mindset revolving around evolution.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of the biggest compliments I’ve gotten about my art is that they can tell my voice without me saying it was my music. Early in my career, and to this day, I love the feeling of someone hearing my music for the first time and saying, “Ayo is this you?!” I have a unique voice and when you hear it you can identify me. I think it’s really important to be identifiable when people hear your music. Those reactions pushed me through the obstacles I’ve faced and will push me through the obstacles that I’m sure are to come.

I’ve been pushing my brand everywhere I live from Colorado to Oregon, California, Arizona, and now Florida. I love to see the growth (as incremental as it may be) and I love the connection building that comes with it. Music and art is about human expression, relation, and connection. When I make my music I think about how to make something relatable that can help others through their adversity and unlock their core memories. If I can say that I touched a group of people with my sounds and gave them something to live or hope for, then I think I did my job. Everything after that is extra. When you see me headlining the biggest festivals one day, I’ll be thinking about what each person in the crowd is going through day to day and how I can distract them from that for a short period of time.

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.
Well, I would definitely take them on Tuesday to Cheen Huaye in North Miami for $3 Tacos. They have some of the juiciest tacos I’ve had so far in the city and it just hits differently. We also have to get desserts in Wynwood and see the art (the in the cut sections where the luxury condos haven’t touched). On the weekend it’s off to the beach to take in the sound of the waves breaking on shore and reveling in the beauty of where the green and blue water mixes.

Lastly, I’m taking them to a kick back with all my locals so they can truly experience the best part of Miami. The people from here who make it what it is and know how to party until the sun comes up better than anyone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout out to my friend, Tim because without him I wouldn’t have moved to Miami and started working in studios here. He always made sure that I was put in position to grow and consistently put me in rooms with people who could change my life. He got me into videography in the club scene where I could network with artists and other entrepreneurs around the city. I’m pretty sure that without him, I wouldn’t even be doing this interview so shout out TIm! Everyone go show love to his page at @t.n.t.photography.

Instagram: @yaboynomad

Twitter: @YoungNomad303

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnW-B6YJZNV2-_4mj11E7qA

Image Credits
@t.n.t.photography @yvoncitaa