Meet Oscar Bautista | Musician and Community Advocate

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

Hi Oscar, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose to pursue a life in music and art because that was the closest I felt that I could combine self expression and self growth. I also saw it as an opportunity so I could set an example in my community for those who wished to do the same. Growing up in my community of South Central LA, I quickly realized that there was a lack of resources in the arts. The life lessons I learned growing up in the early 90’s were more about making it to the next day rather then allowing oneself the time to discover talents and passions. I chose to focus on overcoming that scarcity and dedicate myself to become an example for others who wish to explore a life in a creative field. It comes with ups and downs, as well as a lot of doubt, but the reward of following my own path has been priceless.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Keeping up my craft as a musician and continuing to learn all I can. I have music in my blood, but my art ultimately comes form a place of isolation, which I find bitter sweet given the past 2-3 years. I thrive when given the freedom to discover different sounds and styles. I don’t like to be boxed in, I’d rather explore the whole cube if you know what I mean. The hardest part with that though is the often crippling doubt that comes with working in a vacuum. With not many others to bounce ideas with you can get stuck quick. I’ve learned to take the time to incorporate more collaboration in my life because of that. I’d also like to think it’s for that reason that I stand out, subtlety but surely in the beautiful community I’ve nurtured around myself. It’s not about branding but the bigger picture of joint effort and communal understanding towards an artistic goal.

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.
I feel like this question requires too much money when all I need for the folks I call my friends is a nice place to sit, eat ,and be present. That being said if I had to pick one spot I’d pick Paul’s Kitchen in the fashion district of downtown LA. It’s the right amount of hole in the wall that I feel I could invite anyone and have a good time. My family has been going there since I was kid and I’ve always taken new friends there to enjoy a good meal. It’s got a classic diner vibe with a great selection of Cantonese dishes. Nothing fancy just a perfect spot to eat, relax and enjoy the company of people you love.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family definitely deserves the credit for my success. All my interests and drive comes from them. Everyone in my family has taught me something that I have carried in heart. My mother taught me my tenacity, my father my patience, my sister I credit for anything cool and stylish about me and my brother I owe his examples of ambition to overcome anything. All of them taught me an important lesson, all of them I hold close as an aspect of my being that I defer to as I strive forward to achieve.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Rudetoe

Instagram: https://instagram.com/rude.toe?utm_medium=copy_link

Image Credits
All color photos by @no1shoots on IG All black and white by @areh87 on IG