Check Out James Silva’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Silva.

Hi James, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before anything I just wanted to say thank you so much for having me and for this interview. It truly is an honor and I hope people can find some inspiration from this. That being said, my name is James Silva and I’m an independent Latin artist that’s been most frequently compared to our beloved Juan Luis Guerra.

Self – produced with over 130 released songs in my catalogue in the last 4 years, I’ve crafted an extraordinarily unique live show that showcases Latin America’s beloved dance music: Merengue, cumbia, bachata, salsa, and flamenco, all mixed with a jazz influence and backed by the discipline of classical music. I’m the singer, composer, lyricist, multi – instrumentalist, recording artist, and sound engineer for every one of my songs, without exception.

Originally from New York, I grew up in the small town of Hemet, California in a family of very limited resources. After having worked as a dishwasher, busboy, a waiter, as a factory worker, and several other side jobs, the end of 2016 marked the beginning of my pursuit of a professional music career. With no contacts, finances, or guidance, this journey began and I’m grateful for the success that I’ve experienced throughout this time.

Since then I’ve toured for 8 years as the keyboard player for the international Maná Tribute Band “ Corazón de Maná”, while simultaneously working as an educator/ accompanist at several schools in their corresponding music departments during this time. ( Corona High School, Dr. Agustin Ramirez Intermediate School, Norco High School, Raney Intermediate School, and Montclair High School) . On Sundays I’ve worked as part of the musical staff in a beautiful church in Dana Point, California concurrently since 2018. I am the creator behind THE JAMES SILVA EXPERIENCE, as well as the producer and host, and have brought this show to venues like The Chance Theatre, The Aurora Theatre, The Phantom Projects Theater, and the Taste of Jalisco Festival. I’ve also designed and developed my own line of merch, as well as a self – published original poetry book called “ Timeless ”.

All this was done without any outside funding, labels, investors, booking agents, managers, anyone. I believe that independence is freedom, and that we don’t have to wait for someone to come along for us to get started. We can make things happen on our own, as long as we believe that it is possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been smooth. At one point I was living in my car during the month of December a few years back in Long Beach. When you’re young and new to the scene, few people are willing to take the risk of hiring a musician they don’t know.

And when you’re a new artist, it’s very common to see that many people can have a difficult time giving you a chance to an extent, because they don’t know who you are. There are also a lot of people in the industry that have hidden intentions and whose motives are only self – serving; people that like to take on the role of a gatekeeper, or don’t like to communicate with clear terminology in an attempt to take advantage of artists that don’t understand the intricacies of deals, agreements, and who feel too shy or scared to ask. Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Being self – sufficient helps bypass a lot of this, thankfully. Learning about the many facets and roles in this industry also helps keep things on a level – playing field.

Apart from being a new artist, I’ve been self – produced since day one. I write, record, arrange, mix, master, sing, and produce 100% of my own music. I own 100% of my masters and my publishing. I didn’t plan on being self – produced from the beginning though. This was a response to the fact that I had difficulty finding musicians that were reliable, professional, and had a great attitude. You’d be surprised at how difficult it is to find musicians that have all three of those qualities. Most only have two. It was extremely difficult at first, but I love it now because it’s so much quicker now to do everything on my own because I don’t have to wait on anyone and I can work at my own pace and try whatever I want.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Artistically, I’m an independent Latin Artist that specializes in Latin American music, with a modern flavor. Great music to dance to and enjoy at the beach, and the concerts are amazing, seriously. You’ll have a really great time.

Probably the biggest thing I’m known for is IHTFS: I hate that fake stuff: The fake streams, fake followers, and the fake positive comments that so many artists pay for in order to seem bigger than they actually are. It comes down to the lack of transparency, and I don’t think it’s healthy to live a lie. It’s just easier and a lot less work to be honest about where you’re at in your career. Things aren’t always what they seem, and I think that it’s better to appreciate whatever is actually real in your life, however small or insignificant it may seem. I’m not a household name yet, and I’m ok with that. I know I’m on my way. Music pays for my life, and I’m eternally grateful for it. I’m having a blast making as much music as I want, in whatever style I want, without having my output adulterated by what the world thinks my art should be. The universe has the perfect timing, and I’m enjoying the ride. Because of this, I don’t see a point of putting on a facade. I know artists that have over 100k followers ( supposedly ) on their socials but struggle to sell 5 tickets to their own shows. I only have like 2k followers on IG but I’ve sold out my own shows with no openers or cover songs. It is definitely possible.

I’m most proud of believing in myself when no one else would, and making my dreams a reality. From becoming a professional musician to becoming the artist I wanted to become, and I’m proud to say that I went for it and succeeded. I remember when I had $12 to my name back at the end of 2016. Things are so different now.

What sets me apart from others is that I actually put in work. I don’t wait on others and I make things happen. I’m more diligent and disciplined than most, and I love my craft enough to continue learning, without worrying about the numbers on the scoreboard.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I had to learn Spanish on my own as a teenager. Most people think I’m from the Caribbean with the accent. Also, I produce everything in my bedroom.

Pricing:

• I have hoodies on sale for $49.99 on my website
• My book ” Timeless ” is for sale on Amazon for $14.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jamessilvamusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamessilvamusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamessilva5506

Image Credits
Dan Gonzalez
Isabel Vazquez