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

Hi Francisco, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursue an artistic career, because I naturally burst with the desire to connect with people & document the world around me. I make art to crystalize my memories, and to ride the emotional waves I experience in my life. Making art has helped me connect with people, and it has helped others realize we are all the same.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Shaman Cult is an artistic vessel that propels our message of being brown and proud. Music is how we record our collective experiences, dreams, and emotions while living in the modern world. We are hard working individuals who together have already made some of the best art to have ever came out of our beautiful Canyon City. Throughout the years we have had a hard time finding a home to practice and record. Thankfully, we hand built our studio which allows us to keep the process exciting and innovative. Understanding that change is inevitable has been an important lesson for us. It has not been easy to flex and pivot in the face of adversary, but it has developed a strong bond among us, as well as a unique sound. We all wear multiple hats, Luis plays guitar and bass, Andy plays keys and raps, and I sing and drum. We want the world to hear our music and be inspired to follow their dreams. Shaman Cult is a Utopian vision, we want to invite everyone to believe in themselves and do their absolute best. It is about contributing positivity into the world with the resources you have, while always striving to spread peace and love to all!

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.
When you visit Shaman Cult we will drive up Highway 39 deep into the LA National Forest towards Camp Crystal Lake. We will enjoy breakfast over the campfire and fill our canteens with spring water before we embark to the top of Windy Gap Trail. This journey overlooks the Valley/Ocean, and on the other side you see the dry SoCal desert. We have spent many years at the top of these mountains, growing close to each other which have inspired countless songs. As we descend back to town, we will stop by the Bridge to Nowhere for a quick rinse in the canyon rivers. For dinner we will have some Canyon City BBQ and Metro on down to Pasadena to catch a film. If we want to keep going we can head to LA for some drinks and a show. Remember to take it easy, because in the morning we are biking the San Gabriel River Bed down to Long Beach to meet up with some friends and kayak to Ballast Point Brewery!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my family & friends for supporting our art, my girlfriend Jeanie for always believing in me, and my bandmates for never giving up on our goals! Huge shoutout to Jorge and Leti for always allowing us to express ourselves in their beautiful Canyon City home!

Website: https://www.shamancult.xyz/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShamanCult

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamanCult/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLnyqFZYhQyfPAZUdw5AVHw

Image Credits
First red photo was taken by @_jeaniecherie & the second band photo was taken by @wuitsme.

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