Meet Joseph Bautista | Theredspirit (Musician)

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

Hi Joseph, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was always into music growing up and made friends in high school who knew how to play guitar. Also had a crush on a girl who was in a band, so that was kind of the beginnings of me buying my first acoustic guitar and being horrible at it. I kind of gave up playing guitar for a long time. Stuck in that mindset that I wasn’t very good at it. Never really thinking it could get me anywhere. Even though I ‘gave up’ at guitar, that didn’t mean I stopped writing and playing occasionally. I would write during the weekends or after work, during lunch breaks. But around 2019 is when I started my solo project Theredspirit. It felt like a sudden realization. It was time to put my songs out there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel like I had some imposter syndrome. Who doesn’t have that though? Yeah, I feel like it took a long time to convince myself that it’s okay to do this. To make music and record and share it to the world even though some people may not like it or not even give a chance to listen to you. And of course, the money aspect of it is well not the greatest if you’re just starting out. And personally, I didn’t know if anyone would like music from a Filipino guy. I was looking at all these music blogs and I had a hard time finding other Asian American artists like myself. But lately, I see that now more than ever, the world is more open to Asian artists and not just Asians but everyone really. It’s amazing seeing artists like Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R, Jhene Aiko, Saweetie rise up. Discovering Joji, Rich Brian, Last Dinosaurs. I just found out Kirk Hammett is Filipino, that blows my mind. I love Metallica. At the end of the day, you still made this piece of art and work, this song. You enjoy it so why would it matter, right? That shouldn’t stop you. If you make the music, people will listen one way or another. You gotta believe in yourself no matter what.

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?
A week trip?? I would probably take my ‘best friend’ straight to some rooftop bars haha. I just think the night views are pretty great if they’re into that. To name a few there’s The Perch, Spire 73, Skybar at Mondrian, Mama Shelter. I have a personal favorite but that one’s a secret. For food can’t go wrong with Ramen from Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. Hot chicken sandos from Howling Rays in Chinatown. Hermosa Beach is real nice whether you’re there during the daytime or night. They have the Lighthouse cafe nearby from the movie La La Land. If I had to pick one beach though it would be Malibu. Yeah that’s just a taste of where to go! I could go on forever!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, nephew and nieces. My Mom and Dad are definitely my number one supporters haha. That wasn’t always the case but they’re always the first to like my instagram or facebook posts now haha. My nephew and nieces are always the first ones to hear my songs. They would always give me advice like how the mix is sounding and especially tell me if I sing bad. I love them.

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Website: linktr.ee/theredspirit

Instagram: instagram.com/theredspiritmusic

Youtube: youtube.com/theredspirit

Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/kustp98y0g5c0gduw4m4xh713 https://music.apple.com/us/artist/theredspirit/1486197340