Rising Stars: Meet Beto Vargas of Miracle Mile

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beto Vargas

Hi Beto, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
“I live for those moments when music gives you the chills.”

This is my story. My name is Beto (Alberto) Vargas and I am a recording artists, music producer, songwriter and engineer. Born and raised in Colombia, I found my love for music when I was 13 years old and new right then that this was the world I was meant for. I moved to the US in 2009 where I intended to establish myself as an important important player in the industry. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2012, I moved to Los Angeles where I have recorded over 250 artists, a list that includes names like John Legend, Jane’s Addiction, Barbara Streisand, Allen Stone, Eagles Of Death Metal, Fehr Rivas and many more. My work with Mexican band Moderatto gave us a Latin Grammy nomination for the album “Malditos Pecadores” and I have played guitar for artists such as Maná, Lola Jane and Ignacio Val, among others. Furthermore, I have composed a lot of music for TV, series, films and commercials. As an artist, I released my first album in 2018, reaching a worldwide audience. Now I am finishing my latest album, which I decided to do in english, and have released 8 of the 14 songs, which should come out throughout the summer finalizing with the album release later this year.

In 2014 I founded The Record House and in 2020 BV Music Productions, two music production companies in Los Angeles with a long list of productions with artists, films, commercials, TV and platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney, HULU, Paramount and HBO. I have also composed music for brands like Wayfair, PUMA, Nike, Acura and New Balance.

Many people warned me that you cannot be both the artist and the producer, but I disagree. I love being on both sides of the glass because each side has made me a better version of the other. I am a good producer because I know how it feels to be the artist and the emotions, challenges and fears that it brings. And being a producer has made me a better artist because I know how the industry works, the work that is required and the technology to push the boundaries of my music.

I am always collaborating with artists, producers, composers and professionals with the goal to give opportunities to new talents and find a way to transmit emotions and the love for music through songs. That is why I am also a member of The Recording Academy, Vice-president of the west coast board of The Association Of Music Producers (AMP), mentor of Berklee College of Music, and alumni to Grammy Next, a program through the recording academy to push forward the new generation of industry leaders and talents.

“Music is the most powerful voice in the Universe. It can end wars, change perspectives, touch hearts and save lives. As artists, we have the responsability to make sure that voice remains pure and true, and is never silenced.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t. The world tries to warn you in many ways, but this might just be the most difficult career one can pursue, It is a world with no guarantees, a world where you invest so much time, money, passion and many times come out shorthanded. It is not for the fainted heart and the thin skinned. The hardest part to learn for me was that music to me is pure and real and unchallenged. But the industry is cruel, corrupt and tainted. At the end of the day it is a billion dollar industry filled with sharks and piranhas and a sea full of people trying to take a piece. So, it’s not just about making good art, it is about learning how to sell it, how to get it to people’s ear and how to stand out above all the rest.

We live in a day and age where anyone can create, record, release and distribute music to everyone around the world through digital platforms. That means that there is an insane amount of music being released onto the world every single day. How is one song supposed to stand out above the rest? That is why social media has become such a big player and why artists are becoming influencers, and worse, influencers are becoming recording artists. As an artists and even as a producer, you have to create music thinking of ways it can cut through all the clouds of junk out there just so people will hear it. It has to be unique, it has to have the ability to be synced to Film and media and so much more. That is our biggest challenge yet. Because you can have the best song in the world, but unless you can get people to actually listen to it, it will fade into the darkness of silence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is a bit of a loaded question for me because I wear many hats. One day I am producing a record for an artist, one day I am engineering a ADR session for Pokemon, one day I am performing a show for my own music and sometimes I am composing a jingle for a commercial for a brand. But I love it all, I love the variation because it all makes me grow in the other areas of my world. But I do believe my best moments are when I am either in the studio, creating music with other artists or songwriters or when I am on a stage connecting with people. Because those are the moments where I feel most alive, where I do feel a human connection with what I do and the people around it, and that to me is pure magic.

Right now, though, I am extremely excited about finishing out my álbum. It is almost finished and I have been releasing a song a month to roll it out throughout the summer and dropping the album with the final songs at the end of the summer. So, stay tuned. The productions sound amazing, the artwork is beautiful and created by my sister Andrea, and the songs are real and authentic. I’ve alreasy seen how they are connecting with the fans and it bring me great joy! I can’t wait to share the rest with the world.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Many people don’t know this but I auditioned for American Idol when I was 20 years old in Colombia. I prepared a song in english and as soon as I walked into the audition they said it had to be in Spanish, so I had to improvise. I never made it past the first round. But it did not stop me from pursuing this career.

Pricing:

• 3-5K per song as a producer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bvmusicproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betovargas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betovargasmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/betovargasmusic
• Other: https://www.betovargasmusic.com/

Image Credits
Andrea Vargas Gaviria (Artworks)
Ryan Hartford
Kristine Trinh
Jorchual Gregory Vargas