Rising Stars: Meet Sebas Fallas of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebas Fallas.

Hi Sebas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sebastian Fallas Fernandez (Sebas Fallas)

Sebas Fallas is a drummer and performer currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Born on February 26, 1999, in San José, Costa Rica, he was raised in a small, working-class family in the town of Vázquez de Coronado. Although his family didn’t have a musical background, they had an appreciation for music and introduced him to a blend of Latin and international sounds from Costa Rican folk music to the music of Michael Jackson, often played on the radio and VHS tapes.

Sebas began playing drums in 2009 at his local church, where a community drummer sparked his passion for percussion. He went on to become a vital part of the worship team at Vida Abundante Coronado, serving in leadership roles for over six years and performing regularly at the Vida Abundante Refill Conference.

Throughout high school, Sebas remained deeply involved in music and arts, playing in his school’s marching band from 2010 to 2017, being part of the theater club, and discovering new talents like his passion for drawing and writing poetry.

Despite initially pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering after graduation, he soon realized that his true calling was music even if the path seemed uncertain at first. Throughout the pandemic, Sebas dedicated himself to improve his skills, taking private lessons with drum instructors and deepening his understanding of music theory and percussion. His hard work and persistence paid off in 2022, when he was accepted into the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) in Pasadena, California where he received a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Drum Performance.

Now in Los Angeles, Sebas is actively performing and recording with various artists and projects, including Mosaic MSC, Mari’s World, Killing Istanbul, and Sun Zu. His journey from a small Costa Rican town to the stages of LA is fueled by perseverance, passion, and a deep love for music.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. During high school, I faced personal struggles that impacted both my studies and living situation. I had to move to a city far from my school, which meant traveling long distances every day just to attend classes, go to church, and access a drum kit to practice.

Growing up, I couldn’t afford to buy instruments or gear. I often had to rely on others to lend me equipment so I could perform. To overcome this, I began creating my own homemade percussion instruments and effects, allowing me to play without depending on borrowed gear.

The music scene in Costa Rica is quite limited, with few opportunities to perform or earn a stable income as a musician. This discouraged me from pursuing music professionally for a while, and instead, I shifted toward office jobs, putting my dream of becoming a musician on hold.

I wasn’t classically trained, which became a barrier when I tried to apply to music programs in Costa Rica. Most schools required knowledge of classical percussion, something I hadn’t studied. This pushed me to look for music schools outside my country.

When I finally decided to move to California, I had to leave behind my job, church, friends, and family, sacrificing the most important parts of my life to pursue my dream.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a drummer and percussionist known for my versatility and adaptability. I’m passionate about exploring new genres, learning different instruments and styles, and constantly growing through collaboration. I work really well in team environments and am always enthusiastic to both learn from others and contribute to their growth.

Leadership is a big and important part of who I am. I’m often recognized for my ability to see potential in others and genuinely care about their development. This has helped me form strong connections, build and lead bands, take on leadership roles in my high school marching band, and lead the worship team leadership at my church. These experiences have shaped my ability to work effectively within teams and contribute to successful projects.

I consider myself a committed and professional musician. When I join a project, I approach it with both musical and creative intention. I’m not only focused on playing well. I also look for ways to elevate the overall performance, strengthen the band dynamic, and support the artist’s vision. I’m known for being responsible, reliable, and intentional in everything I do.

I specialize in drums and percussion across a range of styles, including Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), pop-rock, pop, funk, and Latin music, singer-songwriter.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The first person who truly deserves credit is my very first drum teacher, Luis ‘Toño’ Navarrete, at the local church my family and I attended. Toño gave me lessons without ever charging me. He would ride his bike to the church just to teach me the basics because he believed that I was talented and could learn drums. Through him I learned essential grooves and rhythms that laid the foundation for everything that came after.

My friend and mentor, Jason Cordero, and his wife Pamela Taylor, were very important in my life when I needed support the most. Even though they didn’t teach me music, they helped me in a personal way. They welcomed me like family, gave me advice, and believed in me when I was still unsure of my path. Their love and support gave me the strength to keep going, trusting God and follow my dream of becoming a professional musician.

My teachers in Costa Rica, Horacio Paris and Esteban Jiménez, played a big role in my musical growth. They gave me the training I needed, taught me music theory and technique, and helped me become more disciplined as a drummer. Thanks to their support, I was able to get ready for college auditions and, more importantly, they helped me believe in myself.

Most of all, I’m very thankful for my family. Since I was young, they taught me to work hard, keep going even when things are tough, and make sacrifices to reach my goals. They’ve always supported me and believed in my dream to become a musician. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and encouragement.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebasfallas.drums?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sebasfallas.drumss
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sebasfallas.drums?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Jason Sullivan
Andres Castro
Alejo Agudelo
Lori Marino Miles