Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Acosta.
Cameron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born in Whittier, grew up in San Diego, it all started back in 4th grade when I found a violin in my garage and soon after joined the school orchestra. From there, I spent eight years in the school orchestra, I also started playing guitar and was in a couple of metal bands during high school. I had some really great teachers that taught me to appreciate all different types of music regardless if you like the genre or not. After high school, I decided to try college out and that didn’t go so well for me, so I did what any other logical person would do, I joined the Navy.
I spent the next eight years in the Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman. My job was to inspect and load bombs, bullets, and missiles on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. My time in the Navy was full of good times and bad times. I went on three deployments, I learned a lot about myself and made some outstanding friends. I got to travel the world and see some places I would have never thought I would see. But during my time on the inside my music playing went to the side. The only music left in my life was attending concerts.
Coming up on my eight years in the Navy, I needed to make a choice, reenlist again or get out. I wasn’t being fulfilled in the Navy and I wanted a change in my life. I decided to press music again.
I separated from the Navy in March of 2018 as a First Class Petty Officer and started school at Musicians Institute in April. I decided to get into music again, but this time behind the scene. I joined the engineering program at MI and graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Studio Engineering and another in Live Event Production.
During my time at MI, I had interned at Melrose Sound Studios owned by JP Negrete. It was more of a Hip Hop / Pop studio. I appreciated my time learning from JP and the other engineers but wanted to venture more into the rock and punk world. In 2019 I started to look through some local indie band records and see where they tracked. I came across Seahorse Sound Studio, owned by Samur Khouja, and decided to send them an email to see if they were looking for interns. I got a reply back to come in for an interview and I have been there since.
With school and internship to keep me busy, I still found time to go out and see shows. Moving to LA, I went from seeing big area shows to going to underground DIY shows and it’s been amazing. I was going to a show at least once a week and sometimes up to four or five days a week. Through this, I also discovered my passion for photography as I started taking photos at shows. I love being able to capture the energy of a single moment.
I am now the studio manager and house engineer at Seahorse Sound Studio and things have been great. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing artists from all over the genre map.
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 music industry is very networked-based when it comes to work, so coming to a new city is always difficult if you have zero contacts. By going to shows, I got the chance to meet people make friends and clients. It has taken much patience and constant networking. Work didn’t come in overnight and I spent many days wondering if this is something I wanted to follow through with.
Things are picking up now and becoming more consistent. But this industry changes rapidly and working comes and goes in sometimes big peaks and valleys, even more so with the pandemic still lingering. I’m not sure I would have made it as far as I have mentally if it wasn’t for my friends and family always being there for me and pushing me to achieve greatness.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is Daisy Cutter Sound. I started it as a recording and mixing business and while I still continue to do both, it has grown beyond the studio. I offer live and touring support as a live sound engineer, tour manager, backline tech, show photographer, or whatever a band needs help with to make their show or tour go smoothly. I’ve had the honor of working with artists such as Angel Olson, Cate Le Bon, The Garden, Cryptic Gallbladder Splatter, High Priestess, and Cancer Christ just to name a few.
I enjoy helping a band or artist harness their ideas and share them with the world. Whether that be tracking killer drums in the studio, driving all day to play a sweatbox in the middle of the country, or operating a flamethrower at a DIY show.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Being in the Navy gave me certain qualities that I carry to this day. Hard working, focused, ability to handle pressure and think on my feet, loyalty, honesty. I carry around my bag of tricks which keeps me prepared for most situations I might find myself in. I feel that I am kind and do my best to create a safe and comfortable environment. If I want someone, particularly an artist, to share their most intimate and vulnerable selfs with me. I need them to feel that they can trust me. That they are in a judgment-free zone. That we are not only here to create music and art, but we are creating something that has the potential to change someone’s life or potentially the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.daisycuttersound.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisycuttersound/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.acosta.77
Image Credits
Mariana Fiel Neto Velasco Albert Licano Scott Free Cameron Acosta Starcrawler Wacko Prized Pig Cancer Christ Celeste X
