Today we’d like to introduce you to Nomad Ripoll
Hi NOMAD, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A 30-year music veteran, NOMAD with his podcast & education platform, The Career Musician, is on a mission to Empower Musicians with Strategies for a Sustainable Career in Music!
Believe it or not, you’ve probably already heard Nomad’s guitar playing and music! With countless TV shows and movie scores on his resume, plus the fact that he’s shared the stage and/or studio with a list of musical icons from A to Z… Aretha Franklin, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Thundercat, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Fantasia, David Foster, Kelly Clarkson, El DeBarge, Stevie Wonder, Ledisi, KEM, Barbra Streisand, Sting and so many more, Nomad is a tried and true Career Musician.
What started as a passion-project podcast, has flourished into a platform for musical excellence that’s more than just a gig service, or coaching/teaching space. This is a lifestyle that Nomad has created for himself as the proof of concept, and now he’s sharing it with all who wish to make their passion more than just a job, but instead turn it into a lifelong CAREER!
I’m Nomad, composer, music producer, music director, and session/touring guitarist who has been active in the industry since the 1990s. I’ve toured the world many times over, and have been featured on countless GRAMMY-winning records. I’ve shared the stage with celebrity artists including David Foster, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, Kat Graham, Jewel, India Arie, and Carrie Underwood. In the studio, I’ve worked with Justin Beiber, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Sting, Lalah Hathaway, Josh Groban, Colbie Caillat, and Leslie Odom Jr. – just to name a few. I’ve also served as Music Director for Donny Osmond, Scott Patterson, and Babyface – with whom I served for 12 years.
I also record often for television and film – having worked with composers Danny Elfman, John Powell, Elvin Ross, Tim Davies, and A.R. Rahman. You can hear my featured guitar on movie soundtracks such as Ferdinand, Men In Black 3, The Lorax, Happy Feet, Happy Feet Two, Knight and Day, MacGruber, Pineapple Express, Kung Fu Panda, Stop-Loss, P.S. I Love You, The Game Plan, The Grudge 2, The Departed, Chicken Little, Into The Blue, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Open Range, Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, What Women Want, The Prince of Egypt, The X Files, and People Like Us – to which I also lent my singing voice! Additionally, you can also hear my fret work on the upcoming Netflix show Maya and The Three, and the 2021 reboot of Fraggle Rock. In 2020, I produced a cover of the classic bolero Sabor A Mi for the Netflix series, Gentefied, and composed an original song, AfroCuBrazil, for the Netflix movie, Beats.
As a composer and producer, I have my hands in all types of multimedia music. In 2020, I composed the jingle for the Jam City video game, Cookie Jam entitled Taste The Sweet Life. The jingle was first premiered nationally on Wheel of Fortune. I also co-produced the song You’ve Got A Friend for the Super Bowl 2020 In Memoriam performed by Leslie Odom Jr. I am credited as a co-producer on records such as Lose My Soul by TobyMac feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa, and Who’s Been Loving You, Sing A Love Song, When Was The Last Time, and All I Want Is You by After 7. I also co-produced Friend Today by Kem – You can catch me performing the song alongside Kem on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. In 2018, I composed the score for the off-Broadway musical, I’m not a Comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce. As a self-published artist, I released over 45 songs between October 2019 to October 2020 with my wife Lola as the duo known as Nomad & Lola.
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?
The biggest thing that may present a hurdle or struggle as a musician is reinvention. Without the ability to reinvent and create a space for yourself to thrive as an artist and musician, you’ll hit a dead end. AS many creatives, I have a tendency to get bored with too much of the same thing so this reinvention has come somewhat easy.
Other than that, life struggles definitely will get in the way of pursuing a music career. Easier said than done, trying to maintain a healthy and balanced life will take you farther down the road to success than trying to be glamorous and flashy.
Growing up in a modest family to a Cuban migrant father and Italian mother, through the struggles the idea of being an entrepreneur was the common thread. My dad was a constant hustler with tons of what we now call grit. Back then it was just sheer determination!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My website and imdb will give you a good idea of my resume / credits:
https://nomadsplace.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3241487/
My podcast / education platform website will give you more info about my mission as a mentor / teacher:
https://www.thecareermusician.com/
In my own words, the decision to become a touring/session guitarist happened when I was 16 years old. Watching the greats who were my heroes play on records and tour the globe making music was captivating! Growing up in NY then moving to Miami I had some good exposure to excellent musicians. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Nashville to pursue my studio musician career that things really took off! After playing on countless albums in the Pop, RnB, Latin, Gospel, and CCM genres I decided it was time to pursue my other career goal of working in film and tv scoring. Landing in LA circa 2005 I immediately starting getting the coveted calls. But this wasn’t purely luck, it was the consistent efforts of following through with my network and showing up in every way possible!
Since being in LA for 20 years now, I’ve truly learned what it means to be a ‘Career Musician’, through and through…every aspect of what I do revolves around music in some form or fashion. Scoring a movie, TV show, producing records, Music Directing an awards show, teaching college courses, masterclasses, and workshops etc…it’s all a culmination of what it means to me to be a Career Musician. (one who earns a living by turning their passion into their profession).
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Get up, Dress up, Show up! To every gig, meeting, networking event, etc… there are hidden opportunities everywhere but you have to be there to get em!
Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, do you and build a POA (Plan of Attack), stick to it no matter what, and you’ll see growth and become successful.
Pricing:
- Book $27
- Courses $47-497
- Coaching $150-$400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecareermusician.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCareerMusician
- Other: https://nomadsplace.com/
