Check Out Cameron Sotiangco’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Sotiangco.

Hi Cameron, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been creative, but it wasn’t until recently I genuinely owned that part of myself. As a kid, my mom put me in dance classes, art classes, and piano lessons, but I was always too shy around people (especially my teachers) so I repeatedly ended up quitting.

In sixth grade, my mom encouraged me to join my middle school’s drum line. I had absolutely no clue what it was, but my mom really wanted me to find “my thing.” Shoutout to my mom—I wouldn’t have had the courage to find what excites me if she didn’t continually push, support, and believe in me.

I was in the activity for eight years so majority of my creative energy was put into drum line. I transitioned my focus into acting and songwriting shortly after I stopped marching because I just needed to scratch my creative itch. During the pandemic, I challenged myself to write a song a week… I didn’t know we’d be in quarantine for that long so that fizzled out within 4(ish) months.

As I kept songwriting, I discovered that I feel the most proud of myself when I write. Sometimes, I find myself in disbelief that my brain can come up with the songs I have.

Honestly, my family and friends always inspire me to look at the world in different perspectives, to twist the narrative to make the seemingly menial parts of life interesting and valuable. I accredit a lot of my courage and creative drive from my family; they’re my #1 fans as I am theirs.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say the road has been smooth, but it has been and continues to be worthwhile. I’m truly grateful that I’ve met some of the most genuine and talented people along the way.

Doubling down on being a creative in my 20s and in a pandemic has sparked so many existential crises and spirals. If I were to pinpoint on a struggle that I continue to hurdle over, it’d be my impatience. Every overnight sensation and craving for instant gratification makes it difficult for me to “trust the process.” However, I wouldn’t be able to make the art that I do without these thoughts and feelings. Delving into my feelings in their entirety rather than distracting myself from them allows me to find comfort in the scariest places.

Living creatively allows me to be as least invincible as possible which, in turn, is perhaps the closest thing to being as human as possible. I’m not entirely sure if it’s healthy, but that’s what my therapist is for.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I am, I’m pretty notorious for not showing or expressing how I think and feel. As a songwriter and creative, I’m becoming more comfortable with sharing my vulnerabilities while still making them digestible and enjoyable for people.

I think a younger version of me would be pretty proud that I’m at least pursuing the creative dream again. I severed this part of myself for a long time because I thought that it was impractical, that it was no way to live. Ever since I embraced who I am and how I want to see the world, I’ve learned that living in fear and not working through those fears is a true life unlived.

For a long time, I thought artists always had to be extroverted to grab people’s attention; I’m the opposite. My gravity lies in making the people around me feel and think things about themselves and the world around them in ways they probably haven’t before. I always aim to create a space so free yet so safe that supposed scary thoughts and feelings are celebrated, which shines through in my newly released EP, “Strings Attached.”

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles will never disappoint with food. I’m especially a fiend for boba and brunch. Whenever I hear or learn about a place I want to eventually try, I add it to my big “LIST OF THINGS” spreadsheet. Can you tell that I’m a Capricorn?

There’s always a new (or old) gem waiting to be discovered. I really wish I had more time and money to try it all. If it weren’t for the infamous LA traffic and street parking (the worst of it all), I think I would be able to cross more things off my list.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cameronsotiangco.wixsite.com/hello
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronsotiangco/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/csotiangco
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CfznFxa02YPUqTOqTtrZh

Image Credits
Masora Fukuda Daniel Daleon