Today we’d like to introduce you to T.M.I.
Hi T.M.I., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2013 a series of events pushed me to begin writing my most deepest emotions on paper; a drastic change coming from an individual who barely spoke a few sentences a day. Poetry slowly turned to rhyming, and rhyming turned to writing music. The music transformed into the building of a brand, a new name (T.M.I.), and eventually a fanbase that would generate an average of 200 people per show. Given it was all done in Wisconsin; an untouched market by Latino artists. With no big venues, no real music scene, and the Latino population being so scattered, I became the big fish in a small pond. With no big venues to throw shows, I independently had to search out bar owners to have shows and invite Latinos from surrounding cities to have one big show.
At the end of 2022, after the pandemic, I decided that I fell stuck and needed a new venture; Los Angeles. I left my hometown (Delavan, Wisconsin) of 8,000 people, my steady/well-paying job, and all my friends and family behind to become a small fish in an ocean of artists. It has been a journey to say the least. It will be one year at the end of October that I have been in LA. From living in a hostel for artists, having my tires slashed the third day I arrived, had my car towed the first month, countless jobs and interviews, and dropping my first album, I can say I survived. Now, I have consistently been performing, dropping music, and continuing to grow.
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?
Doubt. Doubt and having to balance “real life” with the journey is the largest struggle. Having to worry about paying bills all the while paying for studio time, mixing and mastering, music. videos, food, etc has been a struggle. You put so much into the writing of a song and then have to worry about the marketing, planning of merch, release, and promo. You doubt yourself during those times when your track isn’t hitting the numbers. You expect or you still doubt if people will show up to your shows.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a creative all around, but I consider myself a musician first and foremost. I direct and edit all my music videos. I plan out my marketing strategies. I promote, host, and contact the venues in which I throw my shows. Being an independent artist allows for me to do all of those things or at least have my hand on everything in some way, shape or form. But if I put all that to the side, I am simply a musician. I create hip-hop in Spanish. Being melodic, witty, lyrical, and playful with my voice is what I LOVE to do. The rest is just a necessity; although I do still enjoy doing it. I love to plan out my performances, the vibe I give off, and that is honestly one of the things I am most proud of. Being able to be on a stage in Milwaukee WI, Downtown LA, or Mexico and have a crowd sing and interact with me makes me so happy. I believe in putting time into a craft and being true to myself. Some people are talented but lack those two things: hard work and honesty. I am the son of Mexican immigrant parents, so hard work was instilled in me, and I use Mexican slang and experiences in my song. I don’t care if another culture or genre is taking over the radio; I create what I want to create. So that is what sets me apart from the rest. It feels like I am moving slower sometimes bc of that, but I know that that is what will propel me further in the near future.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Go listen to my first album, Noyollo, and keep an eye out for my latest releases.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://13tmi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13tmi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/13TMI/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/13TMI
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJDUIoYCEoGNOA_y_KE6gg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/t-m-i-903736785
- Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/tmi/pedo
Image Credits
Images with black shirt – Atilano photography Images with the blue long sleeve shirt – Oscar Moreno
