Life & Work with Mario Sulaksana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Sulaksana.

Mario, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My voyage to Los Angeles begins in 2021. Starting in Michigan, by way of Detroit, I grew up nearby in a town called Ann Arbor, where I’d say proudly that I am a “townie” at my core. I’ve always considered myself creative and passionate about music and the arts. Maybe it’s growing up in a musical environment? Maybe it’s because my Moon is in Pisces? We’ll never know. I work as a composer/pianist by trade, however my career is currently driven by a project I’m directing and producing for television. I’ve got a real affinity for Quincy Jones and his body of work – if that wasn’t apparent already.

Over the course of roughly eight years, I lived, studied, and worked in the city of Detroit. I hold two degrees; one in Urban Planning and one in Music Composition. The latter being one I use more frequently for work, but history and sociology have always interested me and play a role indirectly in my life. I’ve always been producing shows and events (as well as music) for as long as I can remember. As much as I love music as a profession, I feel like my greater purpose in life is to bring people together. Los Angeles really feels like the right space to expand on such an endeavor. Even as a kid, I’ve always known that I wanted to forge my own path and go against the grain or conventional wisdom.

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?
The road hasn’t been easy for many reasons, however I have always felt supported by my friends and family. So I never felt a lack of love. I didn’t grow up with a lot of money. My parents separated when I was in high school and we were dealt with a lot of financial burdens. To this day I still feel its effects, but I don’t let that stop me from living my life. Very soon after graduating college in 2017, I lost one of my best friends to suicide. At the time, I didn’t have a job and I wasn’t really motivated to find one. My apathy and general ‘millennial-nihilism’ were really flexing its muscles. It took a couple of years before really coming to terms with his death and grieving properly, but I’m thankful I have found healthy ways to do so.

Before moving to Los Angeles, I was in a serious relationship with someone for about 5 years that ended during the pandemic in 2020. It was hard for that relationship to end because she was my best friend, and as a result our whole lives changed. I seriously value all the relationships that I have in my life, and I’m grateful for each one beyond words, but sometimes it’s hard for me to accept when some of them end or change drastically like that. On the positive, it became a time that allowed for deep introspection and a lot of personal growth. After visiting at the end of 2020, I inevitably decided to move to Los Angeles, which I would do four months later in May of 2021. Despite only knowing a few friends and having a meager budget to work with, I instantly felt that Los Angeles granted me the opportunity to step into my higher self.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently a director and producer of film/television, but I’m a pianist and composer by trade. There’s only so much I can share publicly at this time in regards to the television project. I had pitched the concept to investors and producers back in January at the beginning of the year, and they liked it enough to grant me the opportunity to shoot a pilot, which I had the privilege of directing with an amazing team I assembled here in Los Angeles. What I can say is that it’s actually a show that I created, and the general premise revolves around musicians and their lives as independent artists. The show itself sort of falls into its own category, but I would consider it a marriage of docu-reality. When we think of reality shows, they’re usually pretty mindless yet highly entertaining. This show has a bit of a wholesome vibe to it, I’d say. Likeable characters. Intrigue of the journey. There’s an educational, as well as an entertainment quality to it. It’s currently in the editing stages and I’m very eager to get it out for the world to see!

I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to curate; moments, music, etc. – I think the art of curation is something that I’ve been told that I do really well and I really have leaned into it in recent years.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Love, patience and gratitude. I feel like love is the driving force of all my endeavors, and it has gotten me to where I am today. Being patient really ameliorates any stresses that this town has to offer. And practicing gratitude is the cure-all for any low vibrations I experience.

I can say with confidence that I’m usually pretty unbothered sitting in traffic on the 405 at rush hour. It probably helps that I’m accompanied by my favorite Erewhon juice and I’m catching up with friends and family on the phone. I’m also excited to revisit these previous statements in three years and see my reaction. Either way, I’m grateful to be in such an amazing city – and I mean that sincerely.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rio_on_tha_insta/

Image Credits
Lauren Desberg. Joshua Kim.