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

Hi Avi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose to go down an artistic path for my career and in general embody the lifestyle of an artist for many reasons. For one, it’s always been something I’ve felt comfortable doing since a very young age. It was one of the first ways I could really express something to myself and really dive into introspection and self-reflection. Writing, on top of singing and playing instruments, has been a form of therapy and exploring the dialogue that goes on in my head every day. I remember when I was really young, around like 8 or 9 years old, I used to make “pretend albums” – as in I would write entire track-lists, draw cover artwork and eventually started to write sheet music to the ideas I had floating around in my head. I’ve always been drawn to a song title and that has led me to be a very title-driven songwriter as I’ve gotten older. I really love how a title of a song, whether it is mentioned in the song itself or not, can really be the catalyst to how an idea can expand into something full-form and how the listener can interpret the song’s meaning in many different ways. In terms of really focusing on music and my artistic endeavors as a career path, it took and is taking a lot of determination as well as learning not to expect that every single thing will go my way. I had to come to an understanding that time is a big factor in success for anyone pursuing something in the music industry. I also had to let go of unrealistic expectations for myself and where I should “be already” – it’s the kind of career you quite simply have to let go and let the process be the process.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am today professionally definitely took so much trying so many things out and quite simply having experiences to learn profoundly from. I’m the kind of musician that doesn’t really fit into one particular box and I still have a lot of ideas floating around about exactly what path I want to take long-term. I’m proud that I have so many songs as well as instrumental pieces that have really allowed me to explore myself and the world around me. I think the process to get to where I am today was neither hard nor easy, but rather it took learning as much as I can about my own artistry and the music industry as a whole. Going to Berklee School of Music in particular, where I graduated last year in 2023 with a major in Songwriting and minor in Music Technology has given me such a rich amount of both life experience as well as improving immensely as an artist. I am a musician who has tried so many different styles and genres but has really honed in on the overall atmosphere of my music. I love music that really builds inner worlds inside the listener’s mind. From experimenting with cinematic ambient music to rock, R&B, electronic, folk and neo-classical music, my ultimate goal with creating is to try and give the listener an experience that they can really immerse themselves in.

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’m originally from Maryland but moving back to the LA area this November! I actually lived in LA briefly late last year and earlier this year. As for Maryland and the greater DMV area, it’s a region rich in history with an incredible variety of people and places. DC, of course, has some of the best museums, including the Smithsonians and some stunning art galleries. The Hirshhorn, in particular, is a favorite of mine for its modern art exhibits. Maryland, especially around DC, is also home to beautiful nature spots like Great Falls and the Rock Creek Trail—both absolutely breathtaking.

LA, on the other hand, has its own share of awe-inspiring natural beauty. Griffith Park is an iconic gem, and I’m a huge fan of Angeles National Forest and the beaches like Venice and Manhattan Beach. When I move back, I’ll be based in the Valley, which has its own unique vibe compared to the more bustling parts of LA like Koreatown, Hollywood, or Downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would want to dedicate my shoutout to my family and close friends. I really would not be anywhere without the support of those closest to me and I really love the people that have been in my life supporting my journey, understanding the ups and downs that this path will take. My mom and dad in particular, who are both musicians and real music appreciators, have reminded me time and time again to move forward in my journey and have fun with it. I believe having a solid foundation is so important for an artist and having any kind of community helps immensely with knowing you’re appreciated for what you do and who you are.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avicastellanosmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avicastellanos/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AviMichael

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@avicastellanosmusic

Image Credits
Jessica Chu and Asher Thomas

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