Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Ortiz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eric. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been a musician for half my life. During my teenage years, I was moved by the vibrant sounds of the accordion, specifically music coming from the Nuevo Leon, Mexico which is where a lot of my family is. I, then, began to learn and eventually got a folk band together with help and support from my father. We played for about 16 years. We played everywhere, private parties in nice ballrooms, ranches, backyards, crazy bars, which close until 4, 5 AM and had all kinds of things going on. After the band decided to start a new band without letting me know, I started creating music on my own as “The Ortiz Project”(plug alert: Available on all platforms), with a small midi keyboard, Garageband software, and my accordions. I also started my own music label (New Lion Music) recording and producing myself and other musicians. I’ve always been very eclectic with my musical taste. You can hear the different influences in music I’m involved in, it’s all over the place at times. I created whatever feels good at the moment.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s not a smooth road at all, as a matter of fact, it’s probably the bumpiest road of them all, avoid it at all costs, children! Jk, follow your heart. Like most anything, it has its’ “ups and downs”, as well as its’ “way downs.” You really have to love what you do, in order to continue. At the end of the day, I embrace it all, it is part of the journey. Some of the struggles of include: little pay, complete lack of pay, getting robbed of your equipment, and trouble finding anyone who will pay attention to, or value your work.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
New Lion Music is currently working with musicians of all walks of life, talented individuals in different genres. Our specialty is music, of course, we enjoy mixing it up, with my ideas and the other musicians’ ideas. I’m most proud that we are what you can call “grassroots”, small and focused with detail to attention on every project that comes our way.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was pretty laid back but had a little bit of a loudmouth in me as well. That hasn’t changed either. Interest wise, I was always interested in Soccer, played it pretty well, but music was always around as if I subconsciously knew it would be a large part of me. My father did some work in radio, and would commonly DJ also MC for parties when I was very young. It was a matter of time before I followed in some of his footsteps.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214-240-2168
- Email: ortiz8603@yahoo.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/ortizstagram
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhQWWjg8Ofm1tosPjh2BbA?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
April Graham Photography, @goyosmommy_
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