Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Castro.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kristen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Let’s see, I started playing guitar at the age of ten and would cover bands like Green Day and AFI in my bedroom. In my teens, I became knee-deep in heavy metal and grew an obsessive love with playing to Iron Maiden for hours at a time. I always chose the guitar over homework.
I attended three GRAMMY Camps from 2010-2012 that opened doors for me to play guitar with Keith Urban at the UCLA Tennis Center, and after playing to a few thousand that night I was like a sponge and wanted everything to do with country music. After playing only guitar, I went from writing instrumentals, to singing and songwriting in my late teens. One of the coolest things was meeting Brandi Carlile backstage for a songwriting critique and playing her one of my songs and her saying she wanted to sing along. I was in an Americana/Country trio for six years and recently left that band this year. During that time we got to perform at an event with Bonnie Raitt and Gavin DeGraw and open for Sarah Jarosz and Brandy Clark. Listening to bands like The Sounds, Warpaint, and Tegan and Sara growing up made me want to do music that’s more indie/pop-influenced and that‘s what I’m in the process of making, but there will always be country sounds that make their way back.
In between all that, I’ve been a session player and hired gun playing bass, banjo, mandolin, or acoustic and electric guitar and singing backgrounds for Folk, Country, and Americana artists. I have a deep love for Americana music but I’m happy the journey has taken me to where I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
Music has definitely had its awesome and not-so-awesome moments. As a young teenage girl, it was hard to be taken serious in music stores and in the community. Sometimes it still does as an adult – just not as often. There were times I’d walk into a store and be completely ignored. Often times the lowest quality gear or the sparkly pink guitar were what I would be offered because the salespeople assumed I didn’t know much about gear or I wasn’t a serious guitarist. It wasn’t until they heard me play or we would talk about music that I would be taken seriously.
It was hard to leave my family in California at the age of 19 and relocate to Nashville where I didn’t have any family nearby.
Being in the country music scene for six years, I was sort of an awkward kid who didn’t fit in with most of the girls trying to make it in country music – I wanted to wear Doc Martens instead of heels and glasses instead of makeup. I’m not saying wearing heels or makeup are a bad thing, it was hard to remember to stay true to who I was.
There are some things in this industry that don’t get addressed often, let’s just say anytime lawyers get involved it’s not always a pretty picture, but there have been organizations like MusiCares to help musicians in need. I’m super grateful to them, they’ve helped me get the care I need to work through deep-rooted struggles in the music business.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m known for playing guitar and mandolin. I song write, produce, arrange most of my songs by myself. I love improvising loops and solos on stage. Open tuning is a big facet in the way I work and create.
In addition to music, I also am a graphic designer, videographer and website designer. I’m really proud of creating and fleshing out projects that are self-produced like my recent music videos “Bloom” and “Surrender.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is one of a kind city with so many facets and cultures. My favorite pockets for inspiration are Amoeba, Santa Monica, and Olvera Street. My mom grew up in East Los Angeles and my dad grew up in the Valley. California is a place to flourish and be your biggest self. Because everyone’s doing everything in LA it’s a great place to find people who are like you and find people who challenge you and make you grow. Even though I’m back and forth from Nashville, TN and LA, Los Angeles still plays a vital role in my music and career.
If someone we’re just starting out, I’d totally recommend LA – there are tons of networking opportunities and industry events that happen throughout the year. Starting out here can be inspiring and teaching. You’re able to learn a lot about yourself and your fears. Finding the right community has to come from the work you put in to being uncomfortable and putting yourself out there. So many doors open because it’s a city made up of passionate people and people who think outside the box.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristencastro.com
- Email: kristencastromusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristencastromusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenCastroMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristenCastro_
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/KristenCastroMusic
Image Credit:
Anna Haas/Red Hare Foto
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