It's a concept that has kept circling in my mind for the past couple of months. It relates to my frustration with today's expected pace to attain a modicum of success. I get the sense that many others feel exactly the same way. The “research” was done with boots on the ground as I began pulling common threads from the many conversations that I’ve had with my various clients.

You want to focus on being creative, but more and more you're expected to constantly promote your work to an increasingly digital public that is always connected. It feels unsustainable and unhealthy at a human level. Full Stop. 🛑 

Instead, I'm creating a space for a community that is centered around the importance of slowing down and reconnecting with your creative craft. A space that provides resources and also understands the many benefits and downfalls of our current online digital landscape. You can read more on this in the previous edition. ↩

In an effort to begin fleshing out this concept, I reached out to one of my first consulting clients from 2024 to gain some insight from his unique creative process.

The Bul Bey

I reached out to The Bul Bey because he embodies the path that so many independent artists are on. He’s an artist from the Philly area in the US and he's "inspiring crowds with dynamic hip-hop vibes," as his Instagram states. Just scrolling through his feed, you get the sense that he's an ace at community engagement, and his creativity thrives off of these moments.

He recently launched his Grouped community titled The Listening Party, and you're invited to become a Good Listener (or more than that if you choose to do so.) The intro video on the front page states his mission succinctly "whatever I'm doing, I'm trying to cultivate empathy in the space."

It's inspiring to see him begin implementing so many of the ideas that we discussed during our consultation sessions. In part, it's because I see him actively building his craft and experimenting with new things to create deeper engagement, that I reached out with a few questions that I thought would be of interest to the Recoveco reader.

To say the least, the man stays busy! You can easily find him releasing a new track with one of his many loyal collaborators, engaging with fans at one of his in-person listening parties, or even integrating his one-of-a-kind experiences as Director of Events Production at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.

What does depth before height signify to you? (He often uses this phrase in much of the work that he shares.)

Best I can tell, the phrase comes from the world of design. If you intend to build a structure of great height, along with the ability to withstand significant stress - before you build up, adding depth is required.

This always strikes me as a reminder of the reciprocal nature of life. To receive - you must give. To achieve great things - a great amount of work is required. Sometimes that work can feel like rock bottom. But really you're building a strong foundation for your eventual success. I made the "Depth Before Height" EP at a very low point of my life.

What is one challenge you are currently experiencing in relation to your artistry? What is one big win that you are extremely proud of?

I will always be my own biggest challenge. I say that with grace and love - I'm only one person. That said, another significant challenge is the balance of moving at your own pace, but also the urgency of executing. It's important to keep a kind of "pace" that honors the efforts of your supporters/community.

Something that I'm most proud of is my ability to show up for my community in creative and fun ways. And I'm beyond grateful that my community continues to be interested in what I do.

Why is community engagement so important to you? How do you integrate these efforts into your career as an artist?

The western world has been successful in internalizing the belief of "individualism". I believe that no one and nothing is self sufficient. We all need each other. While I take a lot of pride in being a self starter - I still need people/community to create, grow, share, and connect with. In general, I never create art without people in mind. In fact, I find it challenging to strictly create entirely for myself.

Describe your in-person listening parties. What was your reason for creating them?

This is a long story that dates back to 2016. I was the host of a popular monthly party in Philadelphia (shouts out to Mathew Law.) It became clear to me that, while I played a significant role in the brand, at some point I would not be a part of it. Furthermore, I would have to build a brand of my own. 

It took a very long time to figure out what talents/skills I have, and what my community/the market needed. It occurred to me that "listening" was the throughline in the majority of my professional and creative work. It also occurred to me that poor listening skills were affecting art, community, work, and so many other aspects of our lives.

At the beginning of 2024 it became clear to me that being a "Good Listener" could be a rallying call for folks who care about the ability for deep listening and the value it brings. I had been convening community conversation regularly at that point. I simply shifted the focus from civic topics, to practicing listening skills.

Every Listening Party is broken down into three parts:

1. Listen to Yourself - A five minute meditation grounding attendees in the setting and practice of slowing down.

2. Listen to Each Other - I introduce a new listening exercise at each event that helps us focus. Then we launch into a group discussion using the exercise.

3. Listen to Music - We listen to a highly curated listening experience that uses any number of sounds. Sometimes it’s a live musical performance.

In the future I'd like to play with the themes more. Such as - Listen to Women / Listen to Your Elders / Listen to Your Body. I'd also like to interview people and ask them about listening and how it plays a role in their work/life.

How do you foster creativity in your life, and how does this contribute to the resilience required to build your artistic craft?

As much as I love creating art, it's my fandom of movies, comics, toys, fashion, art, and design that keeps me hype AF. I foster my creativity by engaging in the creative work of my peers. I'm truly a fan. Also great stories make everything great. So learning, watching, reading, and studying is paramount to what I do.

I appreciate when I'm given credit for being "resilient", but truthfully I see creativity as vital as drinking water. In my mind, it would be odd to say "wow you're always drinking water". Like yeah, I need it.

Which book/s are you currently reading?

"What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea" by Fara Dabhoiwala. I also work at the Free Library of Philadelphia so I'm legit reading 11 books right now.

Any recent news or updates that you would like to share with the Recoveco reader?

I'm available for booking and would love to do a Listening Party outside of Philly. Also I'll be releasing new music by the end of summer.

After this brief exchange with The Bul Bey, I came out of the conversation with a renewed commitment to building up this community of artists that are dedicated to their craft, but also unsure of how they fit into today's "always on" culture.

What always gets me about speaking with another person deeply engrossed in creativity, is the amount of common points that I find with my own creative process. This is when I realize how unnecessary it is to give into this incorrect belief that we are alone in our path.

There is a community of people with resources because they've already been through the same thing, or maybe they're quietly struggling and it would be priceless to meet someone like you or me along the path. A friendly face, some supportive words, a warm embrace, can make a world of difference when it feels like you're the only one in the trenches trying to make something of your art.

Creativity is important for all of us. Whether you're a full-time artist, a part-time one, a hobbyist, or just experimenting with different mediums, it should be prioritized as an essential part of our lives and (possibly?) on a daily basis.

The Sandbox Just Got Bigger

When I recently found myself at home spontaneously dancing with my wife in the living room, I never thought it would be to a salsa song by Bad Bunny. To be fair, salsa is my favorite genre to dance to with my wife, and when "BAILE INoLIVIDABLE" came on the TV, we just couldn't help ourselves.

I've not been the biggest fan of Benito's music (don’t hate me,) but I respect his artistic output and his slightly left-of-center approach, especially with his latest full-length release "DeBÍ TIRAR MáS FOTOS." You can have your opinion about his music, and his particular style of rapping (and singing on this one,) but his deep cultural awareness, and how he has taken the massive limelight currently shining on him, and shined it right back on Puerto Rico, has my eyes and ears perked up.

There is this celebration of Puerto Rican roots and folk music that is intertwined into many (if not all) of the songs on the album, but I think this is part of a wider trend that is growing in Latin music. It's one that shows how truly global Latin music has become that massive superstars like Bad Bunny and Karol G (with the release of her “Tropicoqueta” album) are choosing to make a return to some of the classic Latin rhythms and styles they were influenced by. I’ll also add that Judy Cantor Navas recently came out with a wonderful article focused on the imagery in Karol G’s new album and how it’s a kind of tribute to older Latin albums. It’s worth the read and the pictures are wonderful!

Songs like "TURiSTA" by Bad Bunny, "Papasito" by Karol G, or even Adrian Quesada's second installment of "Boleros Psicodelicos," showcase a world that has evolved from the days of Gloria Estefan's "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," a percussive, exotic, and almost tribal sound which is what the world had grown accustomed to thinking that Latin music should sound like.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this classic Latin Miami sound. In fact, I got my start in the early 2000s at the Estefan’s recording studios in South Florida and I have many cherished memories and friendships from that time. What's truly beautiful is that the world is asking for more! Artists at all levels of growth feel comfortable enough to play in that bigger sandbox and showcase or integrate other beautiful rhythms and styles, like boleros, '70s era ballads, bullerengue, or even merengue urbano from the 1990s.

Anyhow, these are just some uplifting thoughts I've recently had on the current state of Latin music. I hope I didn't throw some of you off, but you might as well get used to my meandering thoughts on music and creativity. There will certainly be more to come! 😁

The Summer Heat Brings Out the Latest

Updates from this third quarter for Lucesca Publishing:

• partywatcher, my favorite Dominican from Chicago, recently dropped his latest single "AMOR DEL BUENO," a romantic summer bachata finished off with some Chi-town four on the floor. Check out the music video him and his team produced for it, which they dropped a week or so after the single came out.

• Le Montro has been making surprise appearances around NYC, with some new merch to tickle your fancy.

• Montañera recently performed at the Latino Life in the Park UK festival for it's ninth edition.

• Fvck Error presents his hybrid DJ set / live bass at Ocaso in Popayán, Colombia.

• DJ Pho chops samples with the OP-XY by Teenage Engineering.

Some internal updates ↴

• We were chosen for the second round of the Film Sync Awards. Out of 1200 submissions, we made it into the top 280! Even though we didn’t make the final round, it was lots of fun re-imagining a classic scene from “Thelma and Louise” with a few different options from our publishing catalog.

• Check out some of the latest picks from our Lucesca Sampler playlist on Spotify - Sampler link

The Music, The Movie, The Book↴

• I’ll give you two singles that I’ve heard on repeat over the last couple of months:

  • “Sweet Danger” by Obongjayar

  • “Viajando Por El Mundo” by Karol G and Manu Chao

• Güeros - I’m about a decade late on this Mexican masterpiece, but what a film!

• I just finished reading Body of Work by Pamela Slim. It took me a couple of years to get through it. It wasn’t difficult to read, it just had so much great information on how to redefine your life, your career, and your achievements. I was taking notes and implementing changes as I went along. This gem was passed on to me, and I’m sharing it with you who may want to take a step back at look at your accomplishments from a different (and very insightful) perspective.

If interested or just 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!