An Inspired Chat with Kevin Castillo of East Los Angeles

Kevin Castillo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Kevin, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Any free time I have outside of work is always a good time for me. Things like hanging out with my friends, gym time, going to music festivals/concerts going for walks, etc is always a blast. Stuff like this makes me relieve all of my stress I have from work, work can be exhausting but if you make time for yourself every now and then you’ll be just fine. Make sure to always take time for yourself and to take care of yourself physically and mentally.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kevin Castillo and I was born and raised in East Los Angeles California and what I mainly focus on is my photography. Photography for me wasn’t my first option, as a kid I loved to draw and grew up painting, drawing, and writing on walls, but as I grew older technology became part of my educational journey so I started to expand on digital art like 2D and 3D animation as well as digital drawing. As time went on none of these art mediums really called to me until I took a black and white photography class in college. As I took the course I really started to love photography especially taking photos on film, as the course went on I started to cooperate my own photography as my own brand and from there my idea came into fruition. Since I attend a lot of music festivals and concerts I decided to take my camera with me to these events and capture anything I wanted such as the artist, the crowd, and the overall atmosphere of what makes a concert/festival come to life. I mainly kept my photos to myself but once I took the photography class in college it really inspired me to share these photos. My brand is called GROMCE at first it started as a streetwear brand but later I used it as a platform to showcase my photography. I shoot mainly on film which for me is the best because of how the film looks, grainy and almost dreamlike which is exactly how I capture these concerts I attend because of how we want to live this moment forever, the film captures it like a memory you can revisit.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Many people can break bonds by loss of trust, being distant, miscommunication, not supportive, being to controlling, unaddressed conflict, etc. Exmaples can be a “friend” taking credit for your work, not supporting a friends brand, a family or friend lies about something important that can lead to more problems, repetitive small neglects like not answering calls, texts, etc. With tons of ways someone can break a bond there is also the same amount that can restore them such as a sincere apology and to make sure you or they take responsibility for their actions, being trustworthy and honest, having deep conversations and repair/bond through similar experiences, having a lot of communication, etc. My advice to those reading is to be a good friend and help out in any way you can, a small gesture such as a hug or how you been text can really change someone’s life. Be you and don’t change for someone who doesn’t appreciate you. Love others how you love yourself and in times where there’s negativity be the positivity.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
My grandma was a huge part of my childhood growing up, she the reason I loved to draw because she would see me drawing and would encourage me to draw more for she can keep the drawing with her always. Despite the distance of her living in Mexico she would visit the US every other year so when the times she couldn’t come and visit me she would always call me through the phone to say hi to me and to check up on me. When I would visit her at Mexico I would cook and eat with her as well as go on walks with her, I really do miss her. She taught me a lot at a young age, she always told me to help out whenever I could and to never be mean to anyone. She said whatever goes around comes around and its really true because whenever I helped out friends or family they always have helped me out in times of need so I will respect them. Till this day I will forever miss her and love my grandma and because of her words she has helped me in ways I can’t describe.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I would love to do is more of a place that an art piece, it’s to open up a gallery in East Los Angeles. There is a ton of talented artists here in LA that don’t get the recognition because they don’t have a place to showcase their artwork. Many artists have been rejected from other gallery shows because of how many submissions the galleries receive or because their art is “different”. I want to open up this gallery to showcase the talent these artists have in all these art forms from paintings to videos and show off the art that other galleries are missing out on.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
To do what you love and don’t let anyone tell you not to do it. If you are really passionate about something you want to create you should 100% dedicate your time and effort to it, even if it’s not perfect at first through trial and error you would find a way to make your dream become a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gromce.myportfolio.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGni5UiaYHANGKGm1vWple-U-ZbCycabQ3tV3tD3snZTLsmDbFUPgNWNiAiKZE_aem_kuZwCvDHN7YzEK88N8lHfA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gromce_/

Image Credits
Image 1: “Untitled”, 2025.

Image 2: “Untitled”, 2025.

Image 3: Don Toliver performing at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles 2025.

Image 4: Tyler The Creator performing during his Chromakopia Tour in Los Angeles at the Crypto Arena 2025.

Image 5: Tame Impala performing during his Dead Beat Tour at the Kia Forum in Inglewood 2025.

Image 6: Fans of C,F, Monterrey & C.A. River Plate at the Club World Cup 2025.