#FuserEP Teaser from Jesse "fuser" Santoyo on Vimeo.

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When I moved to Nashville it was to become a better song writer. I wanted to be surrounded by amazing writers and artists. It was scary at first. It felt like I was walking into a field of Giants. It’s pretty amazing to see how much talent is in Nashville. It’s a bit overwhelming. The best advice I got when I first moved was from an inspiring dude named Randy Elrod.  He said, “In a town like Nashville you are either can work to be the best at what you do or you’re going to quit.” I really had no other option to  work on my craft. I want to become the best song writer I can be. I want to write songs that connect and  inspire people. I want to write songs that will make you want to dance. I want to write songs that will never get old. I want to write songs that my kids will love to sing. I want to write songs that will challenge us. So now that I was in Nashville I had to find the formula to do it… I was in the right town right?

I was fortunate to write with a few great writers and friends. I got see them in action. I got to see how they get inspired. I got to see the method to their creative madness. As I studied them, studied songs and continued to work on my music I got stuck. I had writers block. I was more inspired to quit then to continue the journey of writing better material. It just wasn’t happening. What worked for others wasn’t working for me…I felt the pressure of having to write like everyone else did. So what happened? I was going in circles searching for a formula and my notebook had the same blank page…

Sometimes inspiration comes from a vintage guitar. I wrote "City Lights" with it...Mutemath wrote a few hits with it.

I finally sat in my office and started thinking of my journey from Chicago to Miami and Nashville. I started thinking about my wife and boys. I started thinking about all the things that move ME. All the things that hurt ME.  All the things that have made ME who I am today. I started writing these thoughts down. I picked up my guitar, closed my eyes and just started striking random notes that eventually became chords. Before you know it I had a song. Days after that I was driving home one night when I saw an old broken down house on the road. I picked up my iPhone and began to record the sounds and melodies that were triggered by this. I got home, picked up my guitar and began to write, before the night was over I had a song.  Another time I was at an event where the room was full of artists. I didn’t know anyone in the room. If you know me well, I am not too social at first. I’m a bit shy, at first.  Sometimes I don’t have  the courage to walk up and introduce myself to complete strangers. So I thought to myself…”Have you ever felt alone, in a crowded room?” That night I went home and wrote the song “Have you ever.” You’ll hear it very soon on my EP.

What have I learned? Though there are standard structures  for a song,  there is no real formula to writing a great song! You need to ask yourself, What moves you? What stirs up your emotions? Just start writing and don’t think about it. Do you have a random melody on the tip of your tongue? Does it sound terrible and uncool? Record it! It’ll probably be the best you’ve written thus far. Every single idea has potential. Writing a great song takes time.  What makes your song great? The fact that YOU wrote it. You brought to life something that never existed. You created a work of art that will connect with someone in this world. If you’re like me in a new town working to be the best you can be. Don’t give up. Stop searching for the Miraculous Formula to create. It is already in you, just begin! What works for me may not work for you but that’s the beauty of it all. I’ll share my thoughts on the formula to Co-writing very soon!

Cheers and write well!

-Fuser+

Give PROPS to those who have been out there writing and performing. PROPS to those who are grinding it out for the sake of passion. PROPS to those who have paved the way for new artists like yourself. Giving PROPS always returns to you 10-fold. Soon enough you’ll be put on a bill in your city to share what you have to say. My gut feeling says you’d love to sing and perform to a full  room full of people supporting your musical journey, rather then a crowd of strong opinionated voices wondering why you are on stage and not them. Right?

Stay true to what you do. Your art will find it’s home.

-fuser+

Did you hear the EP track preview? Let me know your thoughts below!!!

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Sometimes I sit back and over analyze things.  Sometimes I wonder if there is other Raza in East Nashville? Sometimes I look around the room at 3Crow and wonder what life is like for the strangers all around me. Are they singers, writers, actors?  I always hear of all these picture perfect family trees. Father was a touring musician and now you happen to be a touring musician. Parents were both Doctors and now you are on your way of becoming a Doctor. Father was a Pastor and a preacher and now you inherited the pulpit. Or maybe you were given an inheritance worth 2 life times. My parents came to Chicago with the clothes on their back, worked in factories and city jobs just to make ends meet. They never really said I could be anything I put my mind to. They never really told me to dream. They never really knew I loved music till I was about 18.  They did teach me one thing. It takes hard work and dedication to be successful at anything you put your mind to. Even tougher when you are a latino.  Tough love was the only love I knew…

When I came to Nashville I was warned of the overwhelming amount of singers and songwriters that are here. I was told one of 2 things would happen, I will either work my tail off and become the best songwriter/artist I can be or I will quit. I knew I needed to be in a city where art and music flourishes and dreamers dream the impossible.  I would be lying if i said I don’t get intimated by the amazing talent here in Nashville, but as a song writer myself, I believe I have something worth sharing thru my music. Something happens in a town like this though… You can easily be swallowed in the status quo culture that exists amongst a few. In Chi town that gets old, I am sure it does here to… You’re cool by who you know and not so much by what you can offer.  I realize that sometimes you need to know the right people to enter the music ent/social pipeline but I truly believe the best ground work for a successful artistic career is staying true to YOU.  Don’t buy into the hype nor lose yourself to it. Be who you are and create what is in your mind, heart and soul.  I enjoy being inspired by those who have worked hard and have overcome the challenges of being a new artist. I always reach out to those that are influencing our culture today in hopes that I can learn… Some will reach back out, frankly others don’t give a crap…

I don’t have a glamorous background nor a wealthy family tree but I do have  simple dream. A dream I’ve carried inside  since I can remember. Growing  up in the Pilsen  was pretty tough on the soul. It was hard to dream, but I knew inside there is always something more then the hood.  I’ve been blessed with some amazingly talented and genuine individuals that have encouraged  me & my crew on this new journey in Nashville. With just a year into Nashville, I was ready to bail on why we came here in the first place. But I am forever grateful for the friendships that continue to pour life into who we are as creatives here in Nashville. I’m also grateful for those who haven’t given me the time of day! You are the fuel that keeps me going.  I wouldn’t have it any other way…

For all the young artists out there in pursuit of a dream like myself, don’t be discouraged nor afraid. Do what you do best! You may feel lost in the city where you dream, but it’s meant to be that way for a season. You can’t find something that isn’t lost. I’ve been knocking on the wrong doors and hitting up the wrong crowd… As long as you do the work of creating, sometimes you just gotta let God orchestrate your steps and the people that are meant to be part of your journey.  It really works out better that way. I am learning that as I go. I am so glad to be lost in the city of Nashville! I love this town.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre…

-fuser+

I usually dread the question, ” So what do you do?” It should be an easy answer right? Well, it’s kinda tough for  me. I came to Nashville to surround myself with other singer/songwriters to become better at it or maybe realize I suck at it. So far it’s been a great journey of growing in the art of music. I definitely enjoy performing my music live at local venues. Then I get this question, “So do you sing christian music?”  The reason I get this question is probably because I serve my church as a coordinator for one of our campuses and I really love being part of ministry.  Truth is I don’t really ever sing or perform at a Church. When I do perform you will most likely find me a the local bar or club singing to my friends and a few random strangers. I just prefer it that way. I don’t ever try not to be one or the other…I write what’s in my heart and my mind and play music to it.

My wife and I are actors. We have a few auditions that we go to monthly. Sometimes we score the gigs and sometimes we don’t. Our kids recently started auditioning as well. It’s just something we’ve always enjoyed doing and probably always will. Like many people, we have regular day jobs to pay the bills and our boy’s school. These are just a few of the many things  we do.

The problem is I get so wrapped up in the world of what I do sometimes, that I Identify myself by it. I am an actor, I am a singer/songwriter(like everyone in Nashville), I work for my church, I’m a blogger, I am this, I am that…Then BAM. I forget who I really am…Don’t get me wrong, I am not hating on what I do, I freakn love what I do, but it is not who I am. Sometimes I feel like I am back in High School. I am working hard to get noticed and in hopes to hang with the cool kids of the school. Become what I do, so I can enter the circle of social popularity. I realize networking  and marketing is a vital tool for any organization, company, product and movement.  Without a good solid plan, well… nobody will ever know what you do.  But I am learning  that what I do is not who I am. My true identity is found in the beginning of this journey. I am a regular dude, that loves God, love’s family and is grateful for life. I grew up in broken streets dreaming to someday be somebody. I am still trying to figure what that really means…  I get so lost in my projects  sometimes that I steal time from those I really love. Time I will never get back from my beautiful wife and my awesome boys.

A few nights ago I promised my boy I’d tuck him in to bed, but I got so tied up in what I do, that his eye’s closed before I could do so.  Every extra effort I put into what I do, was not worth missing out on that moment with my son. I love the genuine lessons  I learn from my kids. I can be the greatest songwriter ever, the best actor ever, the best filmmaker ever, the best church leader ever, the best communicator ever, the best____________ ever. But in the eye’s of those I love and love me back,  I am just a son, a father, a husband and a friend, everything else is just gravy

What matters most is who you are, not so much what you do. When you remain genuine to that everything else falls in place.

-fuser+

Last night Reina and I went on a “Hot date.” Literally, it was a super hot evening. East Nashville’s FooBar was our destination.  When we arrived we realized the AC may not have been working at that venue. So for about an hr or so  it was blazing hot inside! On a cooler note, we got to see a great Chi town friend who sings with the band “Cory Chisel & The Wondering Sons.” Always great to run into friends in a new city! Adriel Harris is not only beautiful but has an amazing&Chill voice with an amazing talent on the keys as well. We don’t know Cory Chisel, but the dude has the coolest voice ever and lyrics that take you on a journey in every song.I totally did their vibe on stage..I guess we’ve become  fans!

I’ve seen and heard the band online but never live. It was definitely one of the coolest Live duo’s I have ever seen.  If you haven’t heard their music you have to! It was Haunting, heartbreaking, Soulful and Beautiful!

What new band or artist have you discovered recently?

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What record release are you anxiously waiting for?

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Lo Que Soy

Let me know what you think!

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Next: Chicago Marathon? I just might take the challenge!

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