Meet Christian Rios

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

Hi Christian, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
If you’re really about it, success will find its way. I’ve had a few people ask me for advice since starting—about hosting shows, about becoming a promoter—and honestly, there’s no ‘secret sauce.’ It’s not some magic formula. It’s simple. You show up. You go to the shows. You talk to the bands. You hunt down new talent. You connect with the people who are as hungry as you are, the ones who are truly about it. It’s not all glamorous, and yeah, it’s hard work. But if you love it—if you’re genuinely about it—things will fall into place. You’ve got to put in the miles, the sweat, and the hustle, but it’ll come.

What should our readers know about your business?
A friend of mine once said being an independent promoter is just burning money. Trust me, he’s not wrong—it can feel like that. But here’s the thing: it’s my money to burn, and I’ll burn it exactly how I want to. Because at the end of the day, I get to call the shots. I get complete autonomy to create something real, something that’s mine. That’s the reality of it.

I see booking shows the same way I see putting together a great meal. If the main act complements the side acts just right, you’ve got something truly special. It’s a dish that stands on its own—original, cohesive, and beautiful.

And that’s the key. It’s something you can do independently, and it’s what sets you apart from the rest. Because, at the end of the day, it’s a reflection of who you are.

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.
To catch a show? after The Gold Room or local spot hitting The Echo in LA—it’s always a good time. Also good eats on the same street, get a slice at Masa—nothing beats their deep dish.

Touristy? Yeah, maybe. But I’ll take Little Tokyo any day. Hit up Daikokuya for some ramen, then grab a couple of steamed buns at Yamazaki Bakery for two bucks. Afterward, take a walk through the underground mall, it hits a different when you’re not sober.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The sound of a CD player flipping to “Disc 2″—a burnt copy my dad loaded up from his collection book in that old Toyota Corolla—kicks in with How Soon Is Now? That moment, as a kid, I didn’t fully get why The Smiths, The Clash, Depeche Mode, Nirvana, New York 2000’s rock revival were the sound of something different. All I knew was that it felt different, something richer than the usual noise.

I didn’t realize it then, but I owe a lot to my dad for giving me my first taste of music that would go on to shape everything I loved.

He worked 60-80 hour weeks, always prioritizing family, acting tough—but underneath that, he was a nerd.

A guy with a stack of comics and a dream of being a writer himself but he never had the time to pursue it.

I think however if he could’ve chosen what to prioritize all over again being family or passion, I don’t think he’d have done it any differently. But I bet, deep down, he wished he had more time. And now, here I am—working to make time for my own passions. I can only hope that, wherever he is, he’s proud of that. I miss him, for that, and so much more.

The Pulliams.

Around 7 years old, my neighbors, the Pulliams—eight kids, all a wild, talented, gifted mess—became my second family. I spent years hanging out with them, feeling like I belonged. They dragged me to local shows, their band, their friends’ bands, and sometimes hosted shows in their own garage. It was a scene I’d never seen before, but I soaked it all in. I was just a kid, but there was a comfort in it—like being around people who knew what it meant to live for something you loved, no apologies.

Last but not least, My girlfriend Lariza who has shoved back lines into her toyota, handled tickets at the door and ocassional need for reassurance from mental anguish this work is bound to cause.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.c.a.b.__

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SCAB.Promotions

Image Credits
Profile Photo and House show photos by Eric Sanchez IG: @ericluisphoto