Meet Kevin Tratasta | Touring Musician, Music Director, Audio Engineer

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

Hi Kevin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Back when I was in middle school, my friend used to bring his guitar to class daily. It piqued my interest and started learning the basics of how to play, printing chords of my favorite songs, and buying chord books. I became hooked on playing and learning as much as I can. My school held a band competition every year, and that year I decided to start my own band and enter. We had no idea what we were doing, but to my surprise, we ended up winning a couple of times. I even took home the best guitarist one time. For me, that was a confirmation that music is something that I could keep pursuing seriously and hone as my craft.

Fast forward to the end of high school, I was confident that I wanted to study music in college. However, being from a traditional Southeast Asian family, my parents didn’t even consider the idea. I ended up going to Malaysia and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Hotel Management. Despite not being able to study music, I became the Music Director and lead guitarist for my church’s worship band. Coming from a Christian and worship music background, I was able to dedicate myself fully to this and learned the ins and outs of playing with a band.

I also tried to watch as many concerts as I could. Performing in front of a live audience is always something that I’ve been deeply drawn to. Watching musicians on tour also showed me how you could experience the world through music. Despite travelling to different cities and experiencing different cultures, music is a bridge that connects everyone. I also noticed how music is such an integral part of the human experience, and in turn will live forever as an industry. All these things factored into my decision to pursue a creative career.

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.
I’ve been playing guitar since 2007. I went to a music school in Hollywood Los Angeles, met a a lot of great musicians and community. I played gigs in some several states in America such as Califronia, New York, Philadelphia, Tennessee, Missouri, Connecticut, Washington. I played with many different artist, from Metal Band, Indie, Singer-songwriter, Rock, Churches. I grew up listening to alternative rock, metal, gospel, CCM, Indonesian pop. my eclectic taste shaped me into the artist i am today, as i try to reference the different parts of my musical palate when i play.
The thing about getting gigs and playing out there is all about networking. It’s really important to connect with people in the same community, in this case, musician or production team. Every time I played a gig, I always at least find someone to connect with. Whether it’s a musician, audio engineer, lighting crew, backline crew, from the member of the other band that playing before or after, or just random audience, it’s always good to connect, and leave a good impression. I usually ask for Instagram, contact number, or business card. It’s not rare that a person just send me a direct message in Instagram for a gig offer. Also keep a good presence on your social media actually really help to get a gig.

Before I move to LA, My Parents and I like to travel, I’ve been to many places like paris, hongkong, seoul, singapore, Kuala Lumpur, bangkok, zurich, milan etc. Whenever I travel somewhere, I always go to the local music store, see what’s the local people into , and find good local brand. I also like to dive in to the local music scene and get to know the culture musically. I like to go to the local live music and experience the local music scene.. What I observed is every place will have different popularity toward music genre or artist. I really like to see how people interact with music whenever I go, I find some places where people just want to dance, get drink and having fun, I found some other places where people really listen to the lyrics and observe with the artist’s point of view such as in a open mic, I found some other place where people only care about the skill of the musician like in the jam session. In this case, it’s really good to place yourself, build connection, join the community that you’re really into.

I wanted people know that I am a musician and content creator. I play guitar, music-directing play bass sometime for a live gigs. I play for artist, singer-songwriter who is doing a live show or tour. I do recording gigs in the studio. I also do church gigs. I sometime make youtube video or little content in Instagram and Tiktok. I am really working my way up to be living as a full time musician.

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?
If my best friend come and visit me here in LA. I would pick him up at the Airport (most likely LAX). I’d recommend him to get a hotel near where I live. Forsure I’ll take him to In N Out burger because that’s the OG and ask them to buy their’ T-shirt. We will go to Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, show them where I used to live. Get Chick-fill-a afterwards, find whose our favorite artist that is going to play at The Forum Inglewood (my favorite and dream venue). and then get slurpin’ ramen afterwards. We’ll go rodeo drive to see city lights at night. The next night we’ll go Santa Monica Pier ride the perris wheel and the roller coaster. Get a korean BBQ in K-Town, and then go bowling, axe throwing, We most likely willl go to Guitar Center of any music store. We will get dessert like salt&straw or jenny’s ice cream in Larchmont or Oakobing in Ktown. And I will drop them off back to LAX when it’s done.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to God, my parents, my best friends, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, my City Blessing Church family, the Community at Musicians Institute and my Hillsong Church family. I wouldn’t have made it this far without their support, encouragement, mentorship, and generosity.

Website: https://www.tomsandovalandthemostextras.com

Instagram: instagram.com/kevinstiphen

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kevinstiphen/

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Youtube: youtube.com/kevinstiphen