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

Hi Ines, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think I’m more aware now of how important it is to try to simplify my daily routine in order to be able to free up time and energy to pursue my creative side – I work for an artist management agency, so that takes up most of my day. I try to take one day at a time while I pursue larger goals, and try to remind myself often that balance is not static, it can look different from one day to the next, or from one period of time to another. Staying nimble is key.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In a nutshell, I started to play rock drums when I was 12, discovered jazz when I as about 15, went to Berklee College of Music in Boston to study performance, found composition/arranging, fell in love with it, and found that it felt more of a natural path than that of a performer. Also, it was interesting to realize that I was getting called to arrange more often than I was getting called to play drums, even though I had been doing it for far less time than drumming. I welcomed the change of pace and dove more into that world. At the same time, I started to work for a production house and label, where I had the chance to try my hand at doing a bit of a lot of things that go into the other side of music making – I produced video shoots, scouted for new talent, booked shows, produced live events, etc.

It’s interesting to find myself splitting my time now between working at an arts management agency and writing, both for myself and others, however, I’m embracing this period of my life, and I am grateful that apart from pursuing my own craft and projects, I can also be in service of great artists as well, hopefully helping bringing their artistic vision to life. Both these things are exciting for different reasons, and I’m happy that I get to do both. I don’t know that I would have seen this for myself when I was drumming to Metallica in my early teens! However, it’s taught me that there are a lot of potential paths ahead of us. I am inspired by people who keep moving forward, evolving, and who keep an open mind about the possibilities ahead.

There are things that have consistently been challenging for me, among them, comparing myself with peers or other artists, feeling like I’m constantly behind or that I should have achieved x or y by now, questioning the path or the choices that I’ve made that have led me to where I am today. Perhaps the main one is self-doubt that the work that I produce is good enough, or that it has a place. I don’t think that we’ll ever be free of this type of thinking, and I think that learning how to look at it, reflect on it, and ultimately detach from it so it doesn’t become paralyzing is part of the work we are meant to do as people who choose to be in any kind of creative field.

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?
New York is endless, and there is something here for everyone, which I love! I think an itinerary would definitely include having breakfast at my favorite neighborhood coffee shop, going to visit either the MET or the MoMA, walk in Central Park, catch a show at the Village Vanguard, watch the sunset from a rooftop in Dumbo which has incredible views of the city, and have a few cocktails in the Lower East side.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people along the way! But, first and foremost, my gratitude goes to my parents, both creatives in their own way who gave me a childhood where art was always nearby – most of their friends are musicians, writers, poets and painters. They made art accessible and joyous, and encourages me from day one to pursue a life in the arts.

Website: inesvelascomusic.com

Instagram: inesvelascomusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inesvelascomusic9989

Image Credits
Brandon Johnson (personal photo) Dror Pikielny

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