Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Olson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Aaron. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a musician (composer and multi-instrumentalist) based in Los Angeles. I started playing music in elementary school — quickly gave up on piano lessons in favor of self-teaching guitar. Played Rock music throughout high school, then studied Classical music in college, then continued to play Rock music (and other styles) since. Benn living in L.A. for ten years 🙂
Has it been a smooth road?
I work a day job to ensure that I always have some steady income, but I strive to make music my main source of income. Therein lays a constant struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My main musical projects are L.A. Takedown and The Musical Tracing Ensemble. The two projects are quite different from each other but I derive equal enjoyment from leading both. I think these are the projects I’m most “known” for, though some may know me as a side-person from various other musicians’ bands (i.e., Chris Cohen, Tara Jane O’neil, Bart Davenport, and others). I think both projects hold some kind of unique space in the musical landscape of Los Angeles; particularly the Musical Tracing Ensemble in that it is truly experimental music but isn’t noise/harsh and has a natural element of humor to it. I think that’s unique in experimental music circles.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Los Angeles is great for music! It’s huge, so within L.A. there are many scenes and sounds wherein a musician can find a place and a voice. Also, as it seems the most likely ways to make a living as a musician are through commercial placements/syncs or by being a paid touring musician, L.A. can generally provide in both of those areas.
That said, the industry is also quite saturated, so it can be difficult to crack it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.latakedown.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_takedown/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Desert photo by Jenn Witte; Band photos by John Nixon
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