Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Santiestevan
Hi Eric, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was 21, I decided I would pause going to graduate school or medical school–I had a biology degree from Harvard, and a lot of internal and external expectations that I would go on to be a researcher–and give music a chance for a year or two. It turned out that it wouldn’t take just a year or two to reach full time work in music…I went back to school for film scoring, started to learn various instruments and instrumental orchestration, formed bands, and made contacts. I scored a number of films, but didn’t get my first “big break” until I started working for Paul Buckley, a TV composer. I mixed, recorded, and transcribed music for a decade of work, and together Paul and I navigated tight deadlines and a changing industry. When Paul decided to take a much needed break, I had already been thinking about what to do next–orchestras and music studios were dropping like flies due to a now global music recording industry. Paul and I also both wondered about how to change the world, at times, when certain companies we delivered music to were essentially wrapping capitalism and toy sales in a cozy blanket of (admittedly great) story writing and music writing.
I had already been involved in community organizing starting in 2020 with the George Floyd protests, but soon after freelancing in audio and needing more work, I found myself a position with the nonprofit ST Forward. I was able to plan events and use my audio experience to stage manage and work with artists. Due to some of these connections, I’ve worked with Indigenous music artists, and had the opportunity to create a soundscape for an exhibit at the Broad Museum featuring sounds and music created by Tongva cultural ambassador Lázaro Arvizú Jr, and by the very landscape of oaks, chapparral, mountains and winds themselves. Work such as this, and working with a diverse group of writers, directors, and narrators at Penguin Random House, began to give me the answer of how to work in the arts and also help out the community at large.
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?
It has been an extremely bumpy road. 😀 It’s a good idea to examine how you made a supposedly wrong turn, and what you’ve gained from it. It’s almost always a growth opportunity. One of the biggest struggles is leaving a job that isn’t quite fulfilling, but is safe in terms of salary or benefits. My dad once said, “don’t get caught in a rut”. It’s ok to set out earlier than you think to find new opportunities. I’ve dealt with the idea that I started too late (untrue), that my college major wasn’t important (really not true), or that other people are better than me (who cares; just be kind and you’ll find people). If you are diligent and friendly, and take the time to polish your skills, you’ll find your way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I record and mix audio; it used to be mainly session music; now it’s field recording sounds, audio books, and live music. I don’t feel like I specialize in *any* of this. I just keep learning. An audio engineer who can afford to specialize in one task–that’s awesome. That isn’t what life had in store for me. I think this flexibility makes me pretty hireable in a number of settings, though. While I both mix and record, I’d say I’m happier recording, watching the moments of music or audio pass through the signal chain and get stored in digital waveforms. Working with talent, be it a narrator or Indigenous culture bearer or musician, is one of my favorite things.
I’m working to integrate the community organizing part of my life with the music and audio side. With that in mind, I’m laying the groundwork for grants related to recording music to reflect cultural heritage, and how to expand traditional instruments with an expanded palette of orchestral or rock instruments.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Be very open to new things, and when working with someone, really practice a “yes, and” attitude. Most of the time, you’ll find some happy agreement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/esantiestevan
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsantiestevan/
Image Credits
Image credits: Mike Olivarez, Evelyn Serrano, Eric Santiestevan.
