Meet Zach Morillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Morillo.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Since picking up my first pair of drum sticks at age 7, the roots of my musical journey were planted. As a kid, drumming was always my focus. It came very easy to me, and my teachers would often tell my parents of a special talent they felt that I had. In 2001, drumming took me into a Performing Arts Magnet high school, where I began learning about electronic music production. Then it paved the way into the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami…(on scholarship, thank god).

In college, my love for music and music production really began to blossom. I was introduced to so many different styles of music at that time and went on to have some deep love affairs with many of them (Psychadelic funk with Herbie Hancock and Jamiroquai, dub and roots music with King Tubby and Midnite). I would spend hours on my computer trying to emulate these sounds. Around 2010, I had an unexpected and transformational experience at Ultra Music Festival. It was the first time I realized that people were creating music just like me on their computers, playing it on big sound systems, and moving people. I was incredibly inspired and haven’t stopped creating electronic music ever since.

After college, I spent four years playing drums all around South Florida with Reggae band Jahfe, and various corporate bands at bars, bar mitzvahs, and weddings. I feel that I paid a lot of dues during this time, but I also gained a lot of important performance experience. I saw that I could stay in Miami for the rest of my life doing what I was doing, but I wanted something else…

I decided to move to Los Angeles in 2012 and ever since I’ve traveled the world drumming for the Childish Gambino, the RnB sensation Rhye, and the Jazz-Reggae fusion pioneer’s Groundation. I have also been steadily building my own musical project, Morillo, where I blend world rhythms and sounds with electronic and dance floor focused styles. I have been all over the US, Canada, and Central America djing at some of the biggest and wildest events. I guess you could say I’m living my dream…

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve most certainly experienced many of the classic musician hardships you’d hear about. Things like unpredictable income (potential Coronavirus show cancellations), self-doubt (social media comparing and despairing), and outside pressures to reconsider my non-traditional path are a constant battle.

Moving to Los Angeles was a humbling experience that came with its share of struggles. In my early years, I supported myself bussing tables and driving Uber in a 2004 Pontiac Vibe with its back bumper duck-taped in place. I was living in Van Nuys in a four bedroom house alongside five excentric artists. We called it the Broneyard. At times ratchet, the Broneyard gave us the space to experiment, be creative, and make music…loud. Good times.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My business is me but is partitioned into two parts. One part is drumming, and the other music production and DJing. I specialize in making you feel something while behind a drumset or behind decks. I am most proud of myself for how far I have come pursuing a career in music. I have been able to support myself doing what I love and have had the experience of traveling the world.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to create and release more music for my project, Morillo, and am very much looking forward to watching the project grow over the next few years. I am currently working on a second album that will hopefully drop at the end of 2020 or early 2021.

Contact Info:

• Email: morillomusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morillomusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morillosound
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/morillomusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6gKen78XIn1mdjEp3Gs84U

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