Meet Eduardo Valencia | Musician, Organizer & Arts Educator

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

Hi Eduardo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career to honor culture, tell stories, and create spaces for my community to gather, celebrate, and heal. Growing up in San Bernardino, my family’s migration journey and deep love for music led me to explore both traditional and contemporary sounds, shaping my identity as an artist. Through drumming, organizing events, and teaching, I found a way to connect with people, preserve cultural traditions, and provide meaningful experiences. Art became my way of giving back—bridging cultures, fostering community, and inspiring others through music and storytelling. More than a career, it became a way of life—a form of resistance against cultural hegemony and a celebration of the rich diversity within my community.

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 art is multifaceted, spanning music, education, and community organizing. As a musician, I am a songwriter and percussionist, performing as a drummer for several bands, including Quitapenas and Buyepongo. As a DJ, my collective “La Papaya Club” explores diasporic rhythms while also serving as a platform to raise awareness about organizations doing meaningful work within the communities that inspire us musically.

My roots in DJing come from my time at KUCR 88.3 FM, where I also work as an engineer, broadcaster, and educator. At KUCR, I mentor the next generation of broadcasters, shaping the station’s legacy while continuing to develop my own artistic and technical expertise. Beyond performance, my artistry extends into therapeutic spaces—I teach drumming as a form of musical therapy in prisons, mental health spaces, and community programs through organizations like ACTA and DFYL. I use rhythm as a tool for connection and self-expression, bringing joy and healing into spaces where people are often facing some of the hardest moments of their lives.

My biggest project is Mucho Gusto—a music festival without borders, where music and art intersect in the heart of our community. We built Mucho Gusto from the ground up, transforming it into a full-scale festival that continues to grow every year. It’s more than just an event—it’s a movement that bridges cultures, fosters artistic collaboration, and provides a platform for progressive artists. Every aspect of my career is tied to using art as a way to uplift and enrich my community.

What sets me apart is that I’ve built a career that fully integrates my love for music and community. I’m not just a musician—I’m a DJ, an educator, a community organizer, and a festival creator. Every part of my work is rooted in the belief that art can bring people together and create lasting change.

The project I’m most excited about is Mucho Gusto Fest, a music festival without borders. Now in its third installment, it’s been incredible to bring it to life with my team. The festival is a celebration of global live music, highlighting progressive artists and creating a space where our community can gather and see themselves reflected in the music and art.

It wasn’t easy—but nothing worth doing is. I come from a migrant community that inspires me every day. If my people can cross borders, rebuild, and create new lives, then I can overcome any challenge that comes my way.

The hardest part has always been turning art into a way to pay rent. That’s why I built multiple streams of income—I perform with bands, DJ, organize events, and teach. For anyone trying to pursue art, this is what I did: work a day job that aligns with your passion, and build your projects when you get home. I stayed committed by keeping jobs that fit my ethos, even if they didn’t always pay as much as something unrelated.

Another key to overcoming challenges is seeking out mentors and constantly learning. Surrounding myself with people who push me creatively has made all the difference.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to seek out mentors and teachers—and to value their time. Learning from those who came before me has been instrumental in my growth. I’ve also learned to invest in myself and not undersell my worth. Art has value, and part of sustaining a creative career is recognizing that.

Financial planning has also been key. I make sure to save money from my artistic earnings and reinvest it back into my work. Longevity in the arts requires smart financial decisions. And above all, I’ve learned that working with people who share your vision makes all the difference. The right team can turn ideas into reality, and building projects with a purpose beyond myself has been the most rewarding aspect of my career.

I want the world to know about Mucho Gusto Fest—we’re building something special, a music festival that celebrates live global sounds and brings people together in a way that feels authentic and meaningful. More than a festival, it’s a cultural movement rooted in storytelling, rhythm, and connection.

I also want people to know that I’m more than just one project. I founded Mucho Gusto, but I also play with bands like Quitapenas, Buyepongo, Milpa, Yanga, and E Arenas. I DJ with La Papaya Club. If you see us on a flyer, come out and support!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If you’re rolling through for a long weekend, here’s how we’re gonna do it—good food, music, a little adventure, and a lot of fun.

Wednesday – Riverside Day
We’re kicking things off in Riverside with a trip to *The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art*—one of a kind. Afterward, we’ll hit *Tios Tacos* for some wild art installations and bomb Agua fresca. If we have energy we can hit up La Cita in downtown La for mid week dancing.

Thursday – Eastside & Drums
Start the morning right with *Milpa Grille* in Boyle Heights for some fire breakfast. After that, we’ll grab coffee at *Picaresca* before heading to *Ascot Hills* for a scenic hike with cool views of LA. In the evening, we’re heading to *Motherland Music* in Inglewood to check out drums and jump into their West African drum class—trust me, it’s fun.

Friday – Thrift & Banda Night
Let’s grab lunch at *Xtiosu*—where Oaxacan and Lebanese flavors come together in the best way. Then we’ll go thrifting at *Public Estrellas* in Lincoln Heights to dig for some unique finds. If it’s the first Friday of the month, we’re hitting *I Love Micheladas’ First Fridays Banda Night—live music, good drinks, and straight-up good times.

Saturday – Oaxacali and Beaches
Morning ceviche mission to visit Elizabeth in Koreatown—her little curbside spot on 8th & Irolo is the truth. Then we’ll head to *Sabores Oaxaca* for lunch because you can never have too much Oaxacan food. After that, we’re off to *Marina del Rey*—I got a low-key spot where we can chill, blaze, and jump in the water. For dinner, we’re hitting *Brooklyn Ave Pizza* to eat good and watch an MMA fight—it’s gonna be tight.

Sunday – Food & DJs**
Wrap up the weekend at *Smorgasburg*—where we’ll grab whatever looks good and catch Dinamita DJ’s spinning at the *I Love Micheladas Mobile.* Perfect way to close out the trip.

You’re not down foo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe everything to my parents—they left Colima with a full family, started over, and then had me. My ten older siblings? They basically raised me, made sure I knew my roots, and always made me feel like I could do anything. My friends in San Bernardino—Dany Gomez, Hector Chavez, and the whole Quitapenas crew—gave me a sense of belonging. Performing with you all? Some of the best times of my life.

Big love to KUCR 88.3 FM—this station is a gem of the Inland Empire. It opened my ears to sounds and ideas that still influence everything I do. Shoutout to my Mucho Gusto Fest team—Richie “Deladeso” Velazquez, Ulises Rodriguez, and the legend Cosme Cordova (who showed me how to dream big). Together, we built a festival that means the world to so many people.

To my brother John D’Alessandro—thanks for always challenging me creatively and for all the amazing times with the Yanga project. And to my LA-based creative family—Edgar “Meshlee” Modest, Jorge “Yuka” Vallejo, and the whole Buyepongo crew—we took our music global, and I’ll always be proud of that. Huge shoutout to Agua and the Milpa tribe—getting to dive into Afro-Indigenous traditions with you all is something special.

Of course, gotta give it up for my DJ partner Eleanor Gomez—”La Papaya Club” is our way of paying tribute to the cultures that inspire us, and damn, we made some great memories doing it. And to my twin flame, my creative *compa*, the late Nectali “Sumohair” Diaz—you are always in my heart.

Last but not least, Eduardo Martinez and Alberto Lopez—teaching Afro-Colombian drumming in the prison system with you both was truly life-changing. We got to give back while sharing rhythms and history—what an absolute privilege.

Website: https://muchogustofest.com

Instagram: eddiesalvale

Image Credits
Nikk Williams
Eduvina Orozco
Edgar Robles