Meet Vincenzo De La Rosa of Painted Eyes Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincenzo De La Rosa.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Music has fascinated me and been a profound part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was singing along to The Beatles and Danny Elfman’s score to The Nightmare Before Christmas before I could fully form sentences.

While band class in grade school gave me a basic foundation for understanding music on paper, my real journey began in high school with the purchase of my first bass guitar—a used 4-string Squier by Fender that my parents and I found at the Oakland Flea Market. It became the gateway to my future.

I quickly became obsessed with music—from learning songs to exploring its history, recording, and production. A year later, I joined the school’s jazz big band and started playing upright bass. By the end of high school, I had self-produced a solo album, played in several bands with friends, and even made some money gigging. At that point, I decided to pursue music as both my college major and lifelong career.

I joined both large and small classical and jazz ensembles at Chabot College in Hayward, CA, where I studied music theory, piano, electronic music production, and arranging. I remember speaking with one of my theory professors about my goals; at the time, I was focused on playing bass and composing for media. He told me, “Well then, you better head to LA—that’s where the industry is.” That moment felt like a seed being planted, setting a new direction for my life.

I later transferred to and graduated from Cal State LA with a degree in Jazz Studies. During my time there, I continued my jazz and classical studies, joined the Afro Latin Ensemble, formed a cumbia project with a friend, and began producing music for other artists for the first time. At the same time, I started as an intern at the Warner Bros. Music Library and was eventually hired full-time after graduating.

That experience ultimately set the stage for everything I do in music today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a mix of both smooth and challenging moments—The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles is a fitting analogy. A career in music is rarely linear, and mine has included a number of unexpected but ultimately valuable shifts.

Early on, I saw myself primarily as a bassist and composer, but my time with the Warner Bros. Music Library expanded my perspective and introduced me to new creative and professional pathways. I also found myself becoming more deeply involved in the technical side of production and collaborating closely with other artists—something that developed organically and is now central to what I do.

Along the way, I’ve faced the usual challenges: projects that didn’t move forward, bands that didn’t last, and performances or recordings that didn’t meet my own standards. Those moments can be difficult, but they’ve been essential in sharpening both my creative instincts and my professionalism.

What’s come out of that is a strong sense of adaptability, clear communication, and a collaborative mindset. I’ve learned how to support an artist’s vision while also bringing structure, reliability, and creative problem-solving to the process—qualities that I think make people feel comfortable and confident working with me.

Ultimately, those challenges have helped define not just my skill set, but how I show up in every project I’m a part of.

We’ve been impressed with Painted Eyes Studios, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In addition to freelancing as a multi-instrumentalist, I also manage Painted Eyes Studios, a boutique recording and production studio built around a highly personalized, artist-first approach. I work primarily with artists in indie pop, alternative, jazz, rock, and film score, offering end-to-end services including production, arrangement, recording, mixing, and mastering. Because I oversee most of the process myself, each project maintains a cohesive creative vision from start to finish.

What sets Painted Eyes Studios apart is its hybrid approach—pairing modern production tools with a classic philosophy of capturing a great performance at the source. I place a strong emphasis on getting the right sound and emotional delivery from the artist or band before it ever hits the microphone. From there, I use contemporary production techniques to enhance, not replace, that foundation. The goal is always to create recordings that feel both polished and authentic.

My background as a composer and multi-instrumentalist allows me to engage deeply with an artist’s vision, whether that means shaping arrangements, refining song structure, or supporting the emotional arc of a piece. At the same time, I bring the technical precision needed to deliver professional, competitive results.

I also collaborate with a trusted network of musicians when projects call for it, giving artists the flexibility to expand their sound while maintaining the intimacy of a boutique studio environment.

Above all, I’m proud of the creative atmosphere I’ve built—one where artists feel supported, inspired, and confident in bringing their vision to life.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to put all your eggs in one basket—diversification is essential.

I started out playing punk rock in high school, but over time I realized how important it was to expand both creatively and professionally. Exploring different genres and multiple facets of the industry opened doors I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered.

Developing as a multi-instrumentalist and working across styles like jazz, rock, pop, and film music has allowed me to stay adaptable in a constantly changing industry. Beyond performance, I’ve built skills in producing, arranging, composing, recording, teaching, and consulting—each of which provides its own creative outlet as well as a practical stream of income.

That diversity not only creates stability, but also keeps the work engaging and meaningful. It allows me to approach projects from different angles and bring more value to the artists and collaborators I work with.

Ultimately, it’s given me both a sustainable career and a deeper sense of purpose in what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/vincenzo.delarosa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincenzodelarosamusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VincenzoDeLaRosaMusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7yeoc337641PMSkSX5uPvP?si=kAAw0yayQ2-w6Z5xjQ7qcA

Image Credits
photo 2 @baileydrewmusic
photo 3 @scottchar