Meet Gabriel Torrado | Composer

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

Hi Gabriel, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I think one of the most important aspects of an artistic career is perseverance. Sometimes it’s easy to be hard on yourself, but when you have a calling it is important to continue working toward your goals and never give up. For my case, I know that I intend to continue working as a composer and musician most likely throughout the rest of my life, because it’s the thing I love and I don’t see myself doing anything else. One thing that helps me stay on track when having a bad day or I am doubting myself is to look back at my previous accomplishments, because it’s easy to normalize your achievements and just aim for bigger goals, but I think it’s important to look back and acknowledge that the accomplishments you have achieved in the past are significant milestones in an artistic career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a composer for film and television, as well as for the concert stage. I have lived and worked in Los Angeles for about 9 years, and it has been a wild journey with many ups and downs. I think the main aspect of being a composer, besides working hard on my craft, has been building genuine, personal relationships with directors and producers. Through these connections I have been given the opportunity to work on many exciting projects over the years. One of the projects I am most proud of is “Yoruga”, a short film about an old man in a post apocalyptic world who pays a visit to his best friend, a turtle. This projects was selected for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, a big milestone for any filmmaker. Another really exciting project I scored was “Holadirio”, an art-horror short set in Peru. This one was nominated for Best Short Of The Festival at the 2022 Raindance Film Festival. Most recently I scored a Korean horror film titled “Chabak – Night of Murder and Romance”. This film was the most streamed movie in Netflix Korea for two weeks, which was a major achievement in my career.

The path I chose has many ups and downs, and even though I have had very cool achievements, there are also periods of time when I don’t feel as confident about myself, and I think the thing that has got me through rough patches has been to continue to believe and work on my craft. I think a positive attitude goes a long way, and I lucky to work in a very fulfilling field.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived for the most part in Eagle Rock, so I know all the good spots in the East side. My favorite food spots are Sapp Coffee Shop for Thai food. Yuca’s for Mexican, and La Pergoletta for Italian. I love going to the AMC at the Americana to watch movies, which I do all the time. For drinks I would tell them to go to Checker Hall or The Goldline. For hikes I would tell them to go to Laurel Canyon or Griffith Park, and maybe a visit to the Hollywood Bowl.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Sapp Coffee Shop is my favorite restaurant in LA and what brings me joy when I really need it.

https://www.instagram.com/sapp_coffeeshop/

Website: https://www.gabrieltorrado.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-torrado-tobon-b791711ab/

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