Meet Carlos Rodgarman | Composer/Music Producer

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

Hi Carlos, what role has risk played in your life or career?
You always hear “without risk, there’s no reward” and all my life this has been confirmed time and time again!
Every time I’ve been in a situation that has life changing consequences you always get the two voices talking to you… the one that says “Stay where you are, at least you know this situation and you have some level of comfort here” and the other one…. “You’ve been here long enough! time to evolve and try to reach a new stage”

Ultimately there’s a million factors that contribute to the success or not of a decision: readiness, opportunity, preparation, timing, level of commitment, and of course… luck!

You have to take chances in life. I’ve been doing it over and over, first in Spain (where I’m from) and then making the decision of coming to Los Angeles and leaving my whole environment and the comforts of the position I had created there as a proffesional musician.
Then once here, after constant growth both personally and professionally when I got to a very confortable position again as a Musical Director for Latin Mega Star Juan Gabriel, came again the question: Did I come from Spain to do only this? So again making the decision to leave that place, to start really thinking as an entrepreneur and investing really in my own vision!

It has of course big risks and things not always go the way you plan. But again…. you keep at it and eventually doors open!

I believe there’s all kinds of people and mentalities, and not everyone looks at risk the same way in their life, and that’s ok, everyone must find their own balance so the ultimate outcome is your own happiness!.

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.
Los Angeles is a great city that will push you to the limit and will force you to really find your true self…
For me it has been (and still is) a beautiful journey of personal and artistic discovery. At the beginning you feel like you are competing with SO much talent (and it’s true) but it really is when you start to truly be yourself and finding your own sound that you start to attract your opportunities.

For me I am a musician first and engineer second, so I really think what makes me unique is being able to look at production and engineering with a musical mind, and at the same time, arrange music or compose with a vision of where everything is going to go sonically. More and more as artists we need to understand all aspects of music creation, not only the ones that “we really enjoy”.

I’ve become more and more known in the musical side for my love for Orchestra, String arrangements and Big Band, and also for getting to really understand how to bring elements together in an organic way so you can create a new sound coming from any perspective, World music, jazz, Pop latin or orchestral.

It was not easy to get to the point where you develop your sound and people can recognize it on your music. It’s a long journey that continues forever, and where you learn from every artist, musician and producer you work with, and take some elements so you can make them yours.

I would say one of the biggest lessons is that you should NEVER underestimate ANY opportunity, because something that may seem very small, could really turn your life around. You never know who you might meet when you go do that small gig…. or that person you never thought, all the sudden progressed in their own carrer and now they can offer you something amazing!.

One of the things that I’m the most excited about lately is mixing and producing music in Dolby Atmos. I feel like we can deliver something really incredible to the listener and we are just at the beginning of this phase!

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 it’s a friend of mine visiting, chances are they are musicians lol… so:

1- The Hollywood Bowl: one of the most unique venues in the world with some of the best performances.
2- The Disney Hall : what an orchestra we have in LA!!!
3- Fun…. you have to take them to Disneyland I don’t care if you are not a kid!
4.- Nature: so many places around…. Big Bear, The Malibu Coast. I would take them hiking
5- Museums – Natural History museum!!!! and also Getty and Getty Villa

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people that have helped push my life and carrer, they are an incredible part of my story.

Of course my better half my wife Pareli, that always puts everything in perspective. Christopher Young, incredible film composer that helped me from the beginning with immigration visas and with so much great advice. My partner David Weisberg, with whom we did such incredible things in music. Mentors that I admire and have the privilege of working with and learning like producer Humberto Gatica… of course my family and my parents in Spain for always being there….so many people that keep shaping the story of my life.. I’m thankful to all of you!

Website: https://www.CarlosRodgarman.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063602591150

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rodgarman

Image Credits
Photos by: Lee Cherry, Miguel Taboada, Omar Guerra