Paco, a 21-year-old artist originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and now based in LA for the past two and a half years, shared with us his compelling journey of self-discovery and creative evolution. Initially aspiring to be a professional soccer player, Paco found a new path through music when faced with the realities of not making the varsity soccer team in high school. Music would start as a hobby, a creative outlet, and eventually evolve into a passion that would shape his career and sound that we have come to love.
Now four years into making music, Paco reflects on his journey from recording parodies of popular songs with a 'Jesus theme' during a church retreat to eventually creating and writing his own music. The initial intrigue with the writing and recording process came from the "Jesus tape," he created at his church retreat. This sparked a newfound passion, that led him to dive head-first into his journey of writing and producing, all through GarageBand on his iPad.
Paco's latest EP marks a significant milestone in his artistic journey, embodying the culmination of four years of music development. Describing it as the first piece of music he's truly dropped as an artist, Paco expresses a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The EP represents the sound he had dreamt of creating since the inception of his musical endeavors. The creative process behind "FORego+" was a departure from his previous approach, with Paco actively involved in the production side, a new and immersive experience for him. Crafted over six months in collaboration with his best friends and close collaborators, including Camilo, Jonah Roy, Michael Davie, and Tommy Richman, the EP is a testament to the power of artistic collaboration and friendship. The 5 tracks made over the past six months seamlessly came together to form a cohesive and flowing narrative. The writing, a central focus for Paco and Camilo, was carefully crafted to take listeners on a profound yet effortless journey. "FORego+" stands as a special and cherished creation, representing not only Paco's evolution in music but also a collaborative effort within a tight-knit creative community.
When asked about his musical influences, Paco cites diverse childhood exposure to artists like Joan Sebastian and Mana, alongside current influences like Omar Apollo, Bash for the World, Blood Orange, and Clairo. This eclectic mix contributes to the unique sound and style evident in Paco's music we hear today.
Outside of music, Paco mentions how he finds solace in activities like saunas, providing a meditative state to detoxify while listening to music. Additionally, noting that he treasures outdoor activities and considers the beach a sacred space, visiting it regularly to center his mind.
Reflecting on his journey, Paco shares a piece of advice with his younger self, emphasizing perseverance. "Shit don't stop, people do," he says, underlining the importance of resilience in the music industry. But also mentions that he probably wouldn't do things differently if he had the choice.
As for upcoming projects, Paco teases that a lot of new music is on the way, with "looseys" set to release in March and the second part of "FORego+" to follow. With his distinctive sound, commitment to storytelling through music, and a promising array of upcoming projects, Paco is undoubtedly an artist you want to keep your eyes on.
Make sure to check out FORego+ below & Paco's socials! @es.pacoo
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