Meet Emmanuel Andre “Sonnemm” Mendives: Music Producer & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emmanuel Andre “Sonnemm” Mendives and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emmanuel Andre “Sonnemm”, how do you think about risk?
Risk has being the most important thing in my life and career. I had a beautiful stable life back in Lima, Peru. I achieved most of the stuff that I wanted and basically reached to the ceiling of what I had in mind. Fortunately, every time I feel I’m way too comfortable, I get reminded that there’s something I need to change. Comfort is a drug, probably one of the most dangerous ones. Because you’ll always look for it. And the moment you are 100% comfortable, that’s the moment you stop growing. So I took a leap of faith, I decided to leave my life behind and fly to LA with nothing more than my bag, a couple of drumsticks and my computer. Not too much money on my pocket but enough for a few months. And let me tell you something. That was the best decision ever. I didn’t know what to expect from this city, I rejected big work opportunities in my home country and left all my family there. I didn’t know anyone, or had any relatives here. Now I see that that was my biggest risk taken by then. The only thing I knew is that I would learn something from it, and risk, as usual, showed me that was the way to go. Without it I wouldn’t be where I am right now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a music producer. I feel that us, as producers, should be the tools for the artist to say what they want to say. I love my work because you help others find their voice, or amplify what they have in their head. For me, every time that and artist leaves the recording studio with a big smile, is the best reward I could’ve received. I’m lucky enough to say that I do a living 100% of Music. If you ask me how easy it was? I would tell you it was actually a lot about discipline more than anything else. It was definitely challenging because we as humans, get bored quickly with routine, specially right now when you have the world in the palm of your hands. It was not easy, but I had to remember everyday the reason why I am here. You have to be strict with your goals, but flexible with your plans. Is the only way to keep doing your passion and make a living out of it.

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?
Wow! I have a lot of favourite spots here in LA. I’d go to snowboard early in the morning. We would leave LA at 6.30 to get to Big Bear around 8.30 Am, right when it opens. We would snowboard and around 11, drive to Malibu. Get there around 2, eat some amazing seafood at Mastro’s and then go to the beach. Swim in the beach until the sunset and then go to Melrose. There’s this amazing place called Rosaline, that has one of the best peruvian food and drinks in LA. Stay there and after 10 go to Recreo (whenever they open again, cause of COVID). Then the day after, I’d take my best friend for a hike at Runyon’s or at Topanga Canyon. Would have lunch in one of this small cabins around it and then go the Santee Alley’s Market. I really love having adventures and nature on the weekend but it’s also really cool to do the contrast with the Concrete Jungle of DTLA. There’s so much art, nature, and adventure in this city that plans always find you! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
100%. I want to thank to Jesse Carmichael from Maroon 5, he was one of the first ones to listen to my work and encourage me to keep going. Also I would like to thank Mayra Cortez, from UMPG. I met here where I was figuring out what to do and we are working shoulder by shoulder on different projects today! Finally, I have to thank to my brother Renzo “BRAVVO” Bravo, he definitely helped me when I needed the most!

Website: www.sonnemm.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamsonnemm

Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamsonnemm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sonnemm