Meet Christian Barbosa | Interdisciplinary Artist (Musician, Producer, Director)

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

Hi Christian, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Los Angeles, and I grew up in Eagle Rock/Glendale specifically. My upbringing consisted of rigorous tennis practice (my Dad’s idea) while I was internally obsessing with Comic Book Art, Cartoons, Video Games, and DragonBall Z. My formative years in Los Angeles consisted of cycling through artistic endeavors. First it was art, then acting, then music, etc. None of these outlets ever felt like just a hobby. My passions were a big part of who I was, and who I came to be. My Mom understood who I was, since the beginning. I think my fondest memory from my childhood was my Mom bringing my siblings and I pizza while we watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While I was learning about expression through different mediums, my Dad wanted my siblings and I to play tennis professionally, and we certainly trained like it. An inner turmoil grew as I struggled to have time for what I wanted, versus time being on the court. My Dad and I couldn’t find any common ground and it certainly impacted our relationship. Once I was older, I didn’t realize that so many kids that looked like me (Second Generation Filipino-American), had my same struggle. I didn’t know it was a “thing.” We all know now, that many of the children of Asian immigrants go on to follow the paths that our parents wanted for us. I was persistent, and my Dad and I grew to understand each other, as my time playing tennis faded. My Mom encouraged me to do what I loved from the beginning, and after years of conflict, my Dad did too.
That kind of practice on the court however, taught me discipline. It transferred to my passions. In High School I taught myself guitar, and would play for hours on end when I could. Today, I have a film journal and watch a film almost everyday. I don’t have a formal background in almost any of my creative practices, but I know a story when I see one. My journey through art from childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood, is a journey I’m still on. I think I understood intrinsically from a young age that creativity is interdisciplinary and can’t be contained. There are strings between everything. I still feel like the little kid that was obsessed with Metal Gear Solid, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

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.
My name is Christian Barbosa and I produce music under the name Shadow Moses. I’m also a filmmaker (writer/director), graphic designer/artist and creative director of Unknown Summit. Unknown Summit is a creative collective and art house that releases music, films, art, etc. Our mission is to create art, build a community, and provide creative direction/production for artists working independently. I’m most excited about our launch this year, with a short film, two music projects, an art book, and a secret project I currently can’t talk about.. I’ve had the vision for starting this art house for twelve years. I didn’t know the whole time that this was going to become what Summit is today. I just knew I wanted to make things, and work with my friends. I’ve been working 2-3 day jobs for the past 7 years or so, while simultaneously developing the idea, growing the network, cultivating a visual language and design style, gathering and experiencing art, and of course making music along the way. Nothing about this path was easy. It’s a lot like driving through a fog, while only getting glimpses here and there of where you’re going. I had to learn what I wanted the Summit to be, while having no real world example to follow. Is it a label? a film production studio? An art/design studio? An artistic movement? A lifestyle? I’d like to think it’s all of the above.
I’ve had to learn about collaboration, about business, about intention, and about maintaining my artistic integrity. Authenticity is everything. I had to learn about my weaknesses and allowing other people to do the things I can’t, or couldn’t yet. And there’s a lot of trust that has to be in place there.
The world needs to know, this is a humanity project, not a vanity project. Art is for the people and it always will be. To all my fellow artists out there doing what they need to do to survive, while also making art…we’re looking for you. Contact us at @unknownsummit. And in the only way you know how…tell me the story of U.S.

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.
Howlin’ Rays is my favorite chicken joint down here, hands down.

The New Beverly Cinema is one of the dopest little theaters in Los Angeles. S/o to Wolf-Money for this one.

Intelligentsia in Silverlake is one of the best places to get coffee if you’re a barista or coffee person like moi.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutouts to all the homies making art today. My own art-house, Unknown Summit is launching this year with my friends. (writer Rishu Bhardwaj, musician and producer Jacob Resurreccion, photographer and musician Louis Torrez.) Weapons of Mass Creation (and their film imprint Foos on Film), soul-fi band Memory Den, producer/musician/genius Hiiku. Creative Director, Keyboardist and Producer Crudo of WOMC. My favorite rappers Soli of WOMC, and JahCorey. Fashion designer Martin San Juan. Cinematographer Sydney Kaplan. Video Game Enthusiasts and Jazz Musicians Carlos Zagal, Taylor Shirley, and Wolfgang Alexander. Storyboarder/Artist Amelia Cobb. Also Girlfriend/DIY Artist Extraordinaire, Abby Read.

Also, shoutouts to my family. Mom, Dad, Nico, Lalaine. Couldn’t do this without your love and support.

Instagram: @shadowmoses.fm

Image Credits
Photos by Abby Read, Louis Torrez, Myself