Meet Angel Duran: Guitarist,composer,producer

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

Hi Angel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The way I think about risk is actually as a necessity in the music business but at the same time I do try and make calculated risks. Any time I go into an endeavor that I see as a potential risk I am always analyzing the situations and people around me to make sure it is the right risk to take. While I do believe risk is a necessary tool as an artist I also believe we have to be very be careful on which ones to take to not end up in messy situations. It is never good to rush in and not question a risky move in my opinion we must always weigh the pros and the cons, and then decide not which pros you like but which cons we are willing to deal with. In terms of my own personal career risk has pretty always taken place. It is the very same reason I am in Los Angeles today and working as a musician. As of today I have just completed co-producing a 10 song country/mariachi fusion album and have gotten to work with some great session musicians within the industry. All I can think about is that if I did not take the risk and come out here from Arizona who knows if that would have been a reality me. I also realized that most of the musicians I look up to all took some sort of risk to get where they are. At the end of the day I think risk is a vital part of improving ones life while at the same time understanding what the risk is asking for to make the best decision.

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.
The art that I choose to endeavor on is Music. Currently I play, write and produce music both in the studio and live for a living. The part that I get excited about the most is just the fact that I can get up every day and live life on my own terms. It feels great and keeps me at peace to get up every day to make music every day in some way for a living. Although I believe I am still far away from reaching my ultimate goals I am very grateful for where I am today. There was definitely a lot of trial and error to get here if am being honest. It really is tricky to make a living in the arts but I believe there is a lot of opportunity the catch is just going to what fits us artistically and personally. It definitely takes some hoops to jump. Usually the most practical way to make a living in music is to teach but the challenge came in realizing teaching just was not my passion. So then I had to choose if I am willing to take the risk to not go the safest route but after much thinking I realized I like to take risks and in an odd way I feel like I thrive in a higher paced society and profession. Of course like any regular person I had doubts and many second thoughts but I think what overcame it is that I truly just want to make music for a living so I am willing to go through the process because the obstacles feel more like lessons learned than obstacles. I definitely have a lot of fun doing my job and am always ecstatic to keep making music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think one of the first places to visit is the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Grand Central Market area in downtown. That area is definitely one of the places that made me like it here there is great museums like the Broad and Mocca, great food/coffee and Angels flight which is all a cool part of the city. Usually a place too where I have taken friends is to the Griffith Observatory that is definitely always mind blowing and a good hike. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes of course. The person that I want to shoutout is actually the artist and forefront of the country/mariachi fusion idea. His name is Charles Jones but also known as JC Jones in the world of Country Music. Charles is an author, entrepreneur, recording artist, and a true visionary. JC actually contacted me and found me through the last interview I did with voyage LA. I have to admit at first I thought his idea seemed a bit far fetched to come up with all these new ideas quickly. JC was formerly a signed artist to Universal after he showed them his powerful country version of The Power of Love by Celine Dion. Although a record deal can be nice I believe that his vision is so authentic to him that only he can carry it out properly. Given his experience as a recording artist and creator this whole project has been a smooth ride that is morphing itself to be something very unique. Thanks to JC giving me this opportunity to be recording and writing he has also connected me with some of the top musicians in town such as Rene Camacho, Bob Bernstein, Martin Flores, Carmen Grillo amongst other amazing talents. Thanks to JC hiring me I have gained tremendous experience producing alongside Carmen Grillo from Big Surprise Music Studio in Encino. Carmen has quite the trajectory playing and recording both vocals and guitar for acts such as Tower of Power, Cristian Castro, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Luis Miguel, Chicago, amongst others. The best part about JC and Carmen is that they are both willing to share their wisdom and are very encouraging the whole way through. I cannot wait for all of the tunes to be out to the public as I am sure JC is just as ecstatic.

Instagram: @angelhduran

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