Meet Daniel De La Mora of Strange Figures Music in North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel De La Mora.

Daniel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I can remember I have always had a passion and a calling for music. When I was four years old, I was already making my own mixtape’s on cassettes because my Dad taught me how to use his tape deck. At the time, I was obsessed with the band Boston and their song “More Than a Feeling,” and at four years old, I drove my parents crazy due to the amount of times I would play the song. That’s when I knew that music was much more to me than just something for listening pleasure. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the instrumentation of a song, and not just the vocals. I soon began to explore many genres of music and I heavily gravitated towards Hip Hop\Rap music. It became my favorite genre to listen to and became a great source of inspiration for me. I did not know it at the time but people such as Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, The Alchemist, J Dilla, Madlib, MF Doom, Mac Miller, Timbaland, The Game, Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, Mobb Deep, DJ Screw and Three 6 Mafia, Tupac and Biggie would all become the building blocks to the foundation of career as a Producer. Anyway, eventually, one day in the 4th grade in elementary school, I got involved in band class where I began to play the first instrument I learned, the clarinet. Immediately after I began to take an interest in the saxophone and come 5th grade I was the only student learning to play two instruments at the same time, the clarinet and saxophone. I don’t know what motivated me at the time to learn both, but it made me happy to play these instruments. Now while all this was going on something happened that would change my life forever.

For some unknown reason my 5th-grade teacher Mr. Reeves, who keep in mind is a musician as well, thought it would be a good idea to teach our entire 5th grade class how to use a program called Garageband. I am forever grateful for him because when he taught us how to use this program and I learned that I could make music on the computer, my life changed forever. I decided right then and there in 5th grade that I wanted to become a producer. I became obsessed with everything regarding music production. I nonchalantly became the best at using the program in my class and developed a passion for making beats. At the time, I was only able to use pre-made loops to create records rather than playing and developing my own melodies because I did not know how to play the piano. As time progressed, I developed a better ear for Hip Hop\Rap music and became obsessed with learning everything about it from knowing the history to who the producers were making the beats behind some of my favorite songs. People such as Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, The Alchemist, J Dilla, Madlib, MF Doom, Mac Miller, Timbaland, The Game, Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, Mobb Deep, A$AP Mob, DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, Tupac, Biggie and many more would all become the inspirational foundation to my career as a Producer. This obsession prompted me to teach myself how to play the piano, drums and later with the help of my buddy Nick Hail, the guitar. I’ve become an expert in creating my own melodies and crafting my own sound.

Over time I gradually moved up to more sophisticated Digital Audio Workstations such as Pro Tools, Logic, Fruity Loops and started producing for artists in my hometown. Instead of just producing the instrumentation, I also became an expert engineer so that I could mix and master everything that I worked on. That way, I wouldn’t have to rely on anyone to make the final product sound good. I became one of the best, if not the best producer from my hometown of Santa Barbara and I say that with complete humility. I pride myself in the quality of the product I produce and being able to produce a record from scratch, record the song, while at the same time, mix & master the final product. Over time I started to release beat tapes on Soundcloud I went through a few producer names before deciding on “Strange Figures.” When the name came to me it made perfect sense because I was always an outcast in some sort of way even though I hung out and knew a lot of people. I was the kid who was friends with everyone but was never fully accepted by those I called friends. Instead of people applauding me for being able to play piano and for being good at anything related to music, they applauded me because it was strange to them how someone like me could be musically and technologically inclined, or good at things like playing the piano and producing. I was always doubted in whatever I tried or did, so whenever I would prove people wrong it was strange and would surprise them. Thus making the name “Strange Figures” the perfect alter ego as a producer to run with.

During this time I made a lot of music with my friend Mogly who is a phenomenal artist that was actually in my 5th grade class with me learning Garageband, and my fellow producer friend Al V. We all grew up together and went to elementary school together, so I guess it was destiny that we ended up making music together if you want to call it that. All in all we’ve accumulated over 1,000,000 combined plays on all the music we’ve put out on Mogly’s Soundcloud. Naturally, we then began to put our music out independently on all streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, etc.. All three of us soon became acquainted with individuals that were just as serious about our passion for music as us. We met our friend Adam, better known as “BetteroffDead” who we met in Santa Barbara but moved down to LA to eventually work with artists such as Lil Peep, Lil Pump, Smoke Purpp, etc. When I was still living in Santa Barbara he was one of the main engineers at the studio they would record at. He was the first person to introduce me to the people in the industry down here in LA. Once I left Santa Barbara and came down to LA everything began to fall into place. I met more good people who are amazing artists, photographers, etc. while residing here in LA. I opened up my own recording studio and started my own business. Right now, I am focused on running my studio the best that I can while at the same time making the best music I can.

I’m currently getting ready to release my first project since 2015 featuring artists I’ve worked with over the years since my last release. My project entitled “Popular Loner” is set to be released on April 1st and I’m excited to share this body of work with the world because it isn’t just a typical producer beat tape. I decided to call the project “Popular Loner” due to the fact that I’m known by so many people, yet feel alone throughout the endeavors of being an entrepreneur. The first single “I Take Another Breath, and Try To Forget, featuring my friend Rawska, is currently available now on all streaming platforms and the music video is out on YouTube. The feedback has been very positive thus far and I am very happy that people are liking the new music. I appreciate the love and support that I’ve received, especially the support of my friends and loved ones, as I would not be where I am today without it. They’ve helped me tremendously and I’m very thankful for being blessed to have them in my life.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Naturally there have been lots of ups and downs throughout my career as a producer living in LA. I have been through most of the drama that comes with along with this career path and they’re just obstacles that must be dealt with and conquered. From being ripped off and used for studio time just to end up not being paid, to being punk’d out of money for being too nice, I’ve been through it all. Now with that being said, it wasn’t a bad thing to have to go through all that drama and negative experiences because they taught me a lot of lessons I could not learn anywhere else. The reality of the situation is that everyone in music is competing with each other, whether they believe it or not, for a position of influence and prosperity. I’ve learned through experience that this career path isn’t for those who can’t handle rejection well. It’s not a career path for individuals who aren’t okay with being rejected and told NO, more often than being told yes. It isn’t for those who aren’t thick skinned and I say this with no disrespect intended to anyone whatsoever. I’ve been fortunate enough to have gone through negative situations involving rejection, bad business, and being used without being paid at an early age. Moreover, it’s helped me become a better person and businessman.

For the most part, it’s been a smooth road because of the people I’ve surrounded myself with, but only after going through the mud. These individuals have helped me get acquainted with people in the industry who are interested in establishing professional business relationships where both parties benefit each other rather than those who waste one’s time and are unprofessional. In other words, I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to meet the right people after dealing with the wrong ones. I’ve learned that I can’t blame the world or anyone for the way things are because it’s not healthy, smart or beneficial to my livelihood. Playing the victim and thinking that society is the reason for all hardship in life can be naive and destructive to one’s self-image. I use to think this way until learning that I’m in charge of what becomes of my life and I can’t blame anyone for anything that happens in it but myself. If I would of let the rejection I felt when I was told I couldn’t work at a studio in Carpinteria I use to go to anymore because “it just wasn’t working out,” affect me negatively, then I wouldn’t of ever met the people in who helped make me the producer I am today. These people include my friends from Playback Recording Studio, my friends B-Work, Aloor, Adam, Trey, Rawska, Chase, Mike Dai, Barbara, Theo, Pharmasis, Prettyheartbreak, Mogly, AL V, Nathan, Ty, N8xen, Claudio Parrone Jr., my roommates Danny, Michael and my best friends from home, Isaac, Nick and Tucker. I finally understand that the process is what it’s all about. If one doesn’t love the process then it will be hard to become successful and content with the way life is.

Please tell us about Strange Figures Music.
Upon moving to LA, I opened my very own recording studio located in North Hollywood and am currently operating it full time. I quit my 9-5 to fully pursue my passion in music and it’s been the best decision I have ever made. Here at (Strange Figures Music) we offer a plethora amount of services pertaining to anything audio/visual audio related. I’ve started a business that specializes in industry level music production/engineering/mixing and mastering. The equipment provided at the studio for the use of a client is top of the line and the software is industry standard as well. I, along with my Father have invested into building a recording studio that is for the ideal professional. I am very happy with the way the studio has turned out as it’s been a long journey getting here. Over the years of producing records, I became primarily known for the way that I play the keys and create melodies. I humbly try to set myself apart from the average producer in this day and age by being one of the few who takes pride in knowing how to play instruments and applying that talent to the art of producing. It definitely helps me produce records differently than most people and I enjoy it because it helped me develop a distinguished sound with an emphasis in a classical style of playing. The goal and mission for my business is to help others get their dreams out in the same way I have. I want to help others make the best sounding product while at the same time, help manifest the ideas they have for their music into reality. I’m here to help others aspirations become real.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I’d manage the use of my time and money better than the way I did when I first started out, and I’d also not be so willing to work for people just because of who they are. When I first opened the studio I began to buy equipment, software and whatnot without budgeting my capital properly. Before I knew it, I was spending more than I was making and I began to worry that I would not have enough money to support my living and studio expenses. I had just started out and thought that I’d be booming with business but I was very wrong. Consistent business was difficult to obtain at first because not many people knew me at the studio facility I’m at and because I did a poor job of marketing myself in the beginning stages of my endeavors. Earlier I had mentioned some hardships I’d faced throughout the duration of my career but despite going through the drama of sometimes being taken advantage of and used in the early stages of being a professional, I learned from my mistakes. This is the biggest lesson I have learned as an entrepreneur and it’s miraculously helped me mold my future into what I want and need it to be.

If I would of never learned any of the lessons I was taught from being taken advantage of or mismanaging money, then I would of failed miserably within the first two years of being a businessman. I use to be naive to the fact that “big names” don’t pay the bills unless their actually paying you for your time spent working with them. There are a lot of people with influence, whether it be on social media or just being famous, that think you will work or execute a service free of charge just because of “who they are,” and it’s the worst thing to deal with as an independent proprietor. It sucks because one would think that influencers in the industry who not only flaunt having success and wealth, but have the ability to help change one’s life, would be quick to pay for studio time, production, mixing/mastering but no, they usually just undermine ones value, and expect free work with one to be okay with it. I had to learn how to be confident in my worth to deal with these situations because this is a cold-blooded industry. It’s a wolf pit, people will take advantage of you at every opportunity they can get and it’s been the most liberating feeling in the world learning how to recognize and combat it. I’ve learned to not let who someone is in society affect the value of my work. I don’t care who you are if I’m not investing my time into you personally, then their needs to be a payment for the work asking to be done. It’s nothing personal, just business. I take pride in my work and what it’s worth because I care about the satisfaction of my clients.

Image Credit:
Theodore Schaefer, Nathan Archuleta

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.