This year has felt like I've floated through different seasons, never really anchoring down into a feeling of true accomplishment or growth. This may sound ungrateful, especially when I can pinpoint many milestones that were reached this year. I'll put it a simple way, I see these milestones as external markers, buoys, that keep me going in the general direction I'd like to head in. This floating feeling I described, it's part of my internal journey (battle?) that not many others know of.

I'm aware that I could live my whole life not feeling like I've truly accomplished much of anything, which is why I do these periodic reviews. More than trying to showcase to the world all that I've done, I know that taking a look back, taking the time to reflect, is essential in helping me anchor down into true gratitude for what I have been able to accomplish up until now. This gratitude is what provides the fuel to go one more day, one more week, a month, a year, etc.

So, in that spirit, here's a non-exhaustive list of some of the achievements in audio engineering and artist development for Lucesca Co. in 2025.

Audio Engineering

• Mixing and Mastering Fvck Error's comeback single "Yoritomo." This was a trip! It was my first time mixing Trance music, and it was a fun ride.

• Being involved as mix engineer on various promos for the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This is a yearly tradition, but this year it was a 100 times more special. 😬

• The Bounce TV MLK promo - The Power of a Morehouse Man - that I mixed and sound designed last year wins gold in the GEMA Awards under the Holiday promo category. This one surprised me not because it wasn't deserving, but because I had no idea it had been submitted to any awards.

• "I Fell In Love in New Orleans" by George Grosman, a song I mixed a decade ago, gets rereleased with a new horn section. You never know the life that projects take on after you touch them. In this case, hearing this one resurface after so long, and in a slightly different context, was a very positive experience.

Artist Development

• Two artist interviews for The Tonearm - Brazil's, Zé Nigro and Colombia's, La BOA. I got the year off to a slow start, but this was a beautiful way to spend that time.

• Releasing six editions of the Recoveco newsletter! I thought I'd be able to do much more, but this is a number I'm proud of when I consider all that I have going on in my life.

• Being a judge for the artist projects in this year's Measure of Music. Participating in this conference is always a high point in the year for me. Being able to collaborate and give back to the artist community (especially those just starting out) is always a wonderful experience.

• partywatcher releasing three new bangers this year that are on a whole other level of production and songwriting. Listening back to "ESO YA NO VA", "AMOR DEL BUENO", and "AQUI ESTAREMOS," (link to music video below) and being witness to all the work that went into each of them, it's no wonder the considerable growth that his career and music has seen in just one year. From playing live in new cities and countries (Miami and Dominican Republic), and expanding his local presence in Chicago, to seeing a respectable amount of growth in social and streaming numbers across all platforms, and launching his new merch store.

• Bringing on Jeremiah Moss as an independent sync agent for the Lucesca Publishing catalog. He's been an excellent support in the areas of synchronization, and networking so that our catalog casts a wider net in the most relevant circles. He’s also a music supervisor actively working on and seeking out new projects (reach out to him via the link above.)

• Being nominated to the second round of the Film Sync Awards. This was a fun project to embark on with Jeremiah as we reworked a classic chase scene from the movie, Thelma and Louise, with a song from our publishing catalog.

• Le Montro relocating to NYC and dropping a new surprise single, his cover of Depeche Mode's classic "Enjoy the Silence." Plus, his killer 🧛🏽‍♀️ live shows and new merch were unveiled in various venues in the city and at the Yemaya live sessions.

• Fvck Error returns with his first single in five years! "Yoritomo" is a trance banger on steroids. You can't understand how happy I was when his name began appearing in my WhatsApp chats again. This man is such a talent, it would be a shame to lose out on his take on music.

• Dropping the Amapiano track "Ori Gbemidebe" by Nigerian artist, Beebu. More importantly, it's Lucesca's first venture into the musically-rich world of Nigerian and African music. I'm excited for what next year will bring with Beebu and other artists from the African continent.

• Montañera performing all around London - Imagine Festival at Southbank Centre, Latino Life in the Park, La Linea Festival, SXSW London 2025 (as an Official Artist,) JOY by Acrylicize, and performing in Paris and Portugal. Though, the latest and greatest news is that she is entering production for her new album with the support of the PRS Foundation, with a planned release for sometime in Fall 2026!

• PHO performing and teaching all over the world (Colombia, NYC, Dubai, Thailand, Brazil) in collaboration with Teenage Engineering, Ableton, and Alpha Theta/Pioneer. His all-45s DJ set on The Lot Radio, a feature in Esquire, and his return to Playlist Retreat.

• Assisting the Miami Cumbia collective, Sonora Tukukuy, in landing live shows in Tampa and Orlando, Florida.

Now, I have various other clients that I speak to frequently. Just because they're not on this list doesn't mean they haven't been busy working and creating. Artists are always working, they're always creating, even if it's not for the public to see, even if it never leaves their mind. With their unique perspective, they are always creating and enriching this world.

So, when I look back at this list I feel joy and a sense of pride in being able to represent such talented and hard-working artists. In some cases, I was involved in one or more ways in achieving some of these highlights. In many others, it was the artist on their own or with a small, but resourceful team. It reminds me that I haven't just been sitting back twiddling my thumbs. Besides my beautiful family and friends, I have much to be grateful for in my professional endeavors. I have a place to call home, and it is with the artists that I get to put in the work with. More importantly, it is with the artists that I have the privilege of forging deep and rich relationships, sharing in the hardships and the biggest wins.

It turns out 2025 has been a blessing after all! Here's to another purposefully busy, and delightfully challenging, but ultimately successful and fulfilling, 2026. 🥂Salud!

p.s.

If interested or curious about my artist development services, whether it be audio engineering, music publishing, distribution, consulting, or anything in between, please don't hesitate to contact me. If we follow each other on social media, feel free to send me a DM. You can also book a date on my calendar HERE or send a few words to [email protected].

‘til next time! Abrazos!