Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I loved cartoons as a kid and wanted to be an illustrator, so I doodled like crazy. I fell in love with music via my family, my older cousins in particular who were into all sorts of different genres and had no problem sharing their interests with their little cousins. My father was interested in writing poetry when he was younger which he shared with me early on and that I can honestly say was my first creative outlet. I started playing music in elementary school band my parents refused to get me a drum kit til I showed my dedication there and I did so 7th grade came and I was finally given a drum set. From then on, it became an obsession.
I’ve been drumming ever since and have recently begun exploring the role of a full songwriter and vocalist in my project Memory Milk, which consists of my friends Peter Solorzano, Mark Vergara and Arthur Guilas. I session for other bands here and there but focus primarily on Memory Milk. I’ve also recently started working on Dried Floral jewelry under the monicker Pretty Flowers selling primarily from Instagram. The endeavor has seen some minor success in recent time and I’m excited for the future. As my day job, I work in Behavioral Health Services as a Behavioral Technician. Another field I have a deep passion for.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been smooth for the most part. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of my family in all my artistic endeavors, and my group of friends have been good about lending me their support when it’s needed. The music community that I’ve been a part of has been pretty receptive as well so I can’t complain. Personal trials and tribulations have definitely been there, but life works that way for everyone. I try and learn from my mistakes and accept the downs as they come. If I’m bummed it’s valid, I won’t let it keep me from working with it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m mostly known for being a drummer it’s definitely the first art form I fell in love with and the first that people recognized me as being good at. Everything else (jewelry making, child care work and vocals) have been falling into place on their own.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I’d say that the most important thing is to maintain your focus and give yourself the breathers that you need. Sometimes stepping away from a project for a bit can breathe new life into it. You’re not going to write or create the most influential piece of art immediately or maybe even ever, but if you’re finding some relief or happiness making it then you’re doing what you should be. Art is for those around you to receive how they will, no matter what form it takes. Stay humble and remember mistakes are ok.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: MemoryMilk.Bandcamp.com
- Instagram: @memory__milk @prtty.flwrs
- Twitter: @memorymilkings
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCCo6Smd4okRcnfE8L0fl5TA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/memorymilk
Image Credits
Cesar Gonzalez (img1) Katherine Artega (img 2 & 4) Sade De La Espriella (img 5) Michael Saldivar (img 6)
