Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Rubalcaba.
Hi Eddie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a Mexican-raised man, I’ve grown up with music my whole life, from classic Mariachi to Spanish Pop like Shakira, to classic rock tunes like Caifanes and Mana. I always knew music was a big part of my life. I got a drum set when I was only 6 that I loved (sadly, I broke it due to what I call ” rocking too hard” ). That didn’t stop anything going straight into drumline in Middle school, going all the way through my high school career! The real journey began in college, where I studied to be a Music Teacher. I was quickly exposed to everything music does and how many opportunities there are! I quickly changed my major to Jazz Studies since I wanted to get as good as I can on the drumset, and around that time I joined my first band! We went from practicing in a hot shed in the middle of summer to playing our first show at “GreenRoom Tyler,” where I would get a taste of playing live that I would be chasing forever! As it goes, bands come together and break up, but that didn’t stop me. If anything, it showed me how to start something of my own! Throughout playing with my old bands, I learned how to book shows, how to network, how to gain contacts, and from there I started Fortino Promo! An independent booking company hosting live shows all over the DFW and Texas. I work with local artists and artists all over Texas, bringing some of the most unique shows to life! It’s the cool thing about being independent: I get to hear from people, make shows for them, and build lineups that can go with even the most Niche of themes! Now I have myself surrounded by music, and I get to play with bands as a freelance Drummer! Something that brings happiness that is hard to beat!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with most things in life, the road is never easy! Playing with bands is more personal than one might think. I mean, you share a lot of time with those people and share so many experiences and moments! A band breakup can sometimes feel like a normal breakup; you lose a good friend, a best friend, whatever name you want to put to it! On the other hand, being an independent booking company gives you so much freedom, but the word “independent” tells you that you are on your own! Decisions, money, time, marketing, outreach, scouting, etc all come down to you! It’s hard to build up something from scratch, but I always look at the positives, even if I see 1 person smiling bigger than they would seeing an artist, or dancing the night away, or having a surreal moment; that is always something to be proud of!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business is called Fortino Promo! It is an independent booking company based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex! I do shows of all varieties for people to enjoy music they haven’t heard before or even music they listen to every day, see some new vendors selling new clothes, jewelry, or art they’ve never seen, or with other flash pop-ups that bring some fun surprises! I run my business with the saying, “By Community for the Community”! These shows are for the people here in Dallas or wherever it is I do a show! A place people can come and express themselves, feel 0 judgement, make new friends, find new music, or dance a new dance move! My shows range from Punk, Metal, Rock, Shoegaze, to Goth/ Darkwave Dance nights, Indie Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, and much more! When you come to a Fortino Promo show, you are with a community, and I do everything to make that feel that way!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
A lot of people know me as the punk from all the bands I’ve played with and shows I host, but I am a Jazz-trained drummer who has a soft spot for Anime drum covers! It’s crazy how shows can have such great music just in their intros!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortinopromo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortino.promo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FortinoPromo
