INDIE SPOT
Leo Baez Interview with Muzique Magazine
Leo Baez Interview with Muzique Magazine
How did you come by your stage name?
My legal name is Leopoldo Daniel Baez and I have always been called Leo my entire life, so it just seemed natural to keep the name, Leo Baez.
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
Since I was a young child I would take my mom’s pots and pans out of the kitchen and practice drumming on them. So, from a very young age, I knew I was born with the gene in my blood. Both my parents were musicians, as were my grandparents before them, so coming from a long line of musicians, on both sides of my parents, it was the only choice for me.
In my teens, I was encouraged to join the Armed forces in order to avoid bad crowds and habits, so I did just that. At 14 I enrolled in the Argentinian Military School where I spent the next 4 years studying music, which was my passion.
After graduation, the opportunity arose to join the Military Marching Band and that is where I spent the next 22 years of my life. In 2013, on a United Nation’s commission to Cyprus, I met my wife and decided to retire from the Army and start a new life on this beautiful Mediterranean Island called Cyprus.
My wife encouraged me to pursue my passion and to start composing my own songs. Over time we managed to create a home studio which is where all my creating is done.
Gradually, with my music studies, I self-taught myself other instruments, as well as music production. I am my own boss, and my wife is my inspiration. The stories in my music can come from anywhere. Past and new experiences, friends stories, family matters, life situations and so much more.
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
I don’t accredit my style to anybody. Once I have the lyrics on paper, the song itself tells me what genre it should be. For example, there has been a time where I started recording a reggaetón, however, the more time passed it felt very wrong and just did not feel right. I eventually changed the genre of the song and the style completely.
So once again, the music and the melody come to me through the lyrics. I have composed various styles, from a Tango to a Trap. From a Reggae to a Skap. From Cumbia to Merengue, Samba, Quarteto, etc.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
My current project, which is still in the works, came to me through my wife. Like I said before, she inspires me and in some cases, she is also the hand that pushes me along. Without her, none of this would be possible.
About the project which was just recently released, I was inspired by my nephew who is a teenager in his rebellious phase. I tried to portray the dilemma of what to do and the pressures of the parents as must as possible in the song without offending anyone, young or old.
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
The only challenge that I have is that there are times that I consider giving up because trying to create a name for oneself, without a label backing them up, is a very hard task. It is a lot of pressure involved, and a lot of sacrifices have to be made.
And when you don’t get the results that you hope and pray for, then it can be very frustrating. This is when my wife steps in and reminds me of why I am doing what I am doing. That no matter where I go and what I do, my passion and my dream will always be with music.
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
I am not the best. I am simply different. I consider myself to be old school when it comes to music because I still believe that a song should convey a message, a story, a meaning. And this is the reason why I am inspired by real people that I know.
What are your plans for the near future?
There are no plans! The only thing that is definite is that I shall continue to create singles with the hopes and dreams that one day my music will be sung by people all over.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?
I want to say thank you to my wife for everything single time that she pushes me and never lets me give up.
How can fans find you?
I am on all social media and my songs can be found on all music streaming sights.
Here are a few of my page links
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | I-tunes | Deezer | Tidal
What suggestions do you have for other artist like yourself?
To other artists, I would like to tell them to just be themselves. To be original and true to what makes them tick, and to remember that it is not a simple or fast thing to accomplish.
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