Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristen Rodriguez.
Hi Tristen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, music has always been my fuel. My parents both have a great taste in music that spans from Regional Mexican to classic R&B and Hip Hop. At an early age, I found solace in immersing myself into the world of music. Listening and obsessing over songs eventually transitioned to writing and singing them, which became something that I would continue to do throughout my youth.
During my undergraduate at the University of Saint Francis, I began to take my passion more seriously. I signed up for MIDI and recording classes as an elective to gain access to the school’s studio. This, coupled with a professor, Mark Everetts, who gave me unlimited critique and encouragement, became the catalyst to eventually move to Hollywood, CA with songwriting and artistry as my main goal.
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?
There have definitely been struggles along the way. Initially, when I moved from Indiana to California, I was going to move in with extended family in San Bernardino until I found a place in LA. However, after being in San Bernardino for only about five months, the global pandemic hit, and I had to stay in San Bernardino for longer than planned. Thankfully, my uncle took me in indefinitely until things smoothed out a bit.
Once I finally made it to LA, I basically had to start over as far as networking and community building. I feel like loneliness is something that is not mentioned enough, but something that everyone deals with, especially when moving to a new place. Since I’ve been in LA, things have slowly but surely started to pick up, and there is no such thing as negative distance!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do a number of things in the music world. First and foremost, I am an artist. If I had to describe the music that I create and curate in one word, it would be smooth. That is what the moniker of ‘Don Dre’ has allowed me to do. I can create freely and have started to build a trustworthy brand of good music. I want to restore that smooth, fun, energetic feeling back into music. So that is currently my mission and my reputation of sorts.
I also help artists in the studio as an ART/SWA. This stands for Audio Reference Technician / Song Writing Assistant. Basically, when I am in the studio with an artist, I can be doing anything from helping create melodies, word suggestions, to laying whole song references for the artist to work off of. In this role, I am merely a tool for the artist to use.
How do you think about luck?
I have always said that part of being good is being lucky. However, getting lucky does not matter if you are not ready for the opportunity presented. I like to think that we make our own luck to a degree. With that being said, I hope fortune continues to find me, and I will continue to stay ready through God.
Pricing:
- Songwriting – $150/song
- Reference tracks – $200/song
- ART/SWA session – $60-$70/Hr
- Features – $220
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/aye_tristen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dondreofficially
Image Credits
@fo.sachii @stretch.aesthetic @sixsidesoja
