Daily Inspiration: Meet Dylan Garcia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Garcia.

Hi Dylan , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a young kid, I remember listening to my dad’s record collection and discovering a band named El Chicano. Not only that, my dad had great records that filled my heart and soul with good music.

I never knew that the path that I would take in life that I would end up here. My life growing up was like as if it was already planned out. I was accepted into West Point Military Academy, but little did I know my fear of standardized tests wouldn’t let me score high enough on the SAT to attend the academy. and I ended up going to Junior College in Ventura.. I was born and raised in Oxnard and when it was time to go to college I couldn’t wait to get out. I wanted to see what this world had to offer. So I transferred to UC Irvine and made the move to Orange County. I was a body boarder so I wanted to stay close to the ocean.

I bought my first guitar on New Year’s Eve going into the year in 2000. It changed the whole trajectory of my life. It went hand in hand with surfing. I was always the guy with the guitar. I just never knew if I was going to take it serious. Honestly because I didn’t think anyone would take me serious. But the rest is history and now I’m here living in La Quinta. I have my recording studio still creating great music and still performing to this day at age 45.

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?
One of my biggest struggles was battling with my mental health. I’m sure many creatives can relate to this. I am diagnosed bipolar. I lived almost a decade masking myself knowing something wasn’t right. I just didn’t know how to talk about it. I felt like it made me have a huge flaw.

I’m grateful that once I was able to get on some kind of regimen to eventually get back to myself, I never stopped and that began in 2018. I made a promise to myself and to God that I would never let my mental health get like it was before. It’s a challenge, but sometimes we do what we got to do to make sure we’re good for those we love.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a recording artist, songwriter and music engineer. I feel like you have to wear all the hats when you’re an independent artist. I feel it gives you an advantage because you know what is going on with your career. I’ve had some nasty dealings in the past so to be in total of control, it keeps me at peace.

My main genre of music is funk, R&B and soul mixed in with some blues and a little bit of rock and reggae. It just shows all the different types of music that I’ve been influenced by.

I’m really proud that I’ve always been able to be myself and not have to be a character trying to be famous. I think that’s what makes people relate to me so much. It makes them realize I’m human just like them. And being vulnerable with my music, what I post on social media and my content in general just shows that I’m not afraid to admit my flaws.

I most proud of never giving up after my mental health took me out. I’m grateful that I was able to up enough confidence and fight to get my life back. I wanted to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to struggles with mental health. And I also want to show that if I can do it anyone can do it.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory would be washing my mom and my dad’s cars with my dad on Friday nights. Listening to a oldie’s radio program that played ’60s ’70s and ’80s music that was on KCSB radio UC Santa Barbara. It really makes me remember how cool it felt just to be hanging out with my dad.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dylangarciamusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/dylangarciamusic
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/dylangarciamusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/dylangarciamusic