ToneGym Hero: Jorge David Roa Castaño

A bassist, producer, and lifelong learner, David turned the page from bookselling to basslines, reigniting his true vocation through music. Now producing audiobooks and studying jazz, David is this month’s ToneGym Hero!

How did you first find your way into making music?

I started playing music in school as a teenager, performing in several rock bands. I continued for a few years until I shifted into a different field. For around 15 years, I worked as a bookseller and ran my own bookstore, which I had to close in 2017 due to bankruptcy.

At that moment, I felt completely professionally lost. Following my wife's advice, I revisited my true vocation, the dream I had in my youth. As a result of that reflection, I enrolled in college and, four years later, earned a bachelor's degree in music with a specialization in music production.

Professionally, I’ve been able to combine my previous experience with my new knowledge in my own audiobook studio, where I’ve produced over a hundred titles, handling direction, editing, sound design, and musicalization.

I’ve recently begun a specialization in jazz performance and music production.

Aside from music, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I think I'm pretty competent in drawing and also editing audiovisual content.

What’s something you're surprisingly good at that has nothing to do with music?

I think I’m quite skilled at drawing and also at editing audiovisual content.

If you could play or create with any artist, who would it be and why?

Stevie Wonder

What musical instrument do you love the most, and what makes it irreplaceable for you?

Electric bass

What daily or weekly habits do you have in place to keep you creating?

I try to reserve my best hours of the day, early mornings, in my case, for studying and preparing bass lines for rehearsals and live performances.

What keeps you motivated to continue making music?

Sometimes I feel I’ve spent too much time “working hard” in other professions that weren’t aligned with my true vocation. That kind of hard work can become an excuse to be disloyal to yourself. In my case, I couldn’t keep doing that, it was making me deeply unhappy. Looking back, the bookstore’s bankruptcy turned out to be a blessing.

What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?

That’s a tough one, I love so many songs. But to stay consistent with the spirit of this interview, I’ll say “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

What's your favorite feature on SoundGym, and how has it helped you in your musical journey?

I love the contests. They keep me motivated and engaged.

What’s something exciting you're working on or looking forward to?

Becoming a professional bass player, the kind who can play anywhere, in any circumstance, with anyone, and always fit in without standing out unnecessarily.

 

You can follow David on his Instagram accounts at @david_roa_musica_dibujos , @cuerpomeridiano , @4radiolis , and @extrarradioproducciones. You can also listen to his music on his YouTube channels at @david_roa_musica , and @CuerpoMeridiano, as well as Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.

 

 

 

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