Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?
My name is Scotty Cruz, but i prefer Scott from the lone blue dot, Austin Tx, in this sea of red around me.
How would you describe your influences and how have they changed over the years? Do you feel that changing tastes over years as artistic growth? ?
I've always struggled with influences because they change so frequently. My first show was the Skrillex Mothership Tour in 2011 and I was so blown away at the energy in the crowd raging to this style of music with which I was totally unfamiliar. Over the next 6 years I expanded my knowledge of electronic music and my production reflects the types of music thats intrigued me, so my soundcloud has random house, futuristic, and various dubstep styles (although mostly private). If you want to find cool new music, check the 'likes' or 'comments' your favorite producers have on their pages. Its a great insight into their inspirations as well.
What´s new right now?
I just released an EP on Old Ghost Records and have received lots of good feedback! I currently have been working on a new style of DJing that uses a wireless midi controller to flip flop between tracks in a very free form. Its tough to describe but seeing is believing, so i'm patiently planning my gigs to optimize the success of this setup. I guarantee its nothing like you've ever seen haha
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What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?
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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
So I work as an admin for one of the major promotion companies in Austin and i book lots of local talent rather than book myself. My biggest piece of advice for locals is to offer ANYTHING other than your DJ services to your promoter. This doesnt mean you just have to promote, rather offer to work the door, bouncer, bartending, accounting, graphic or web design, marketing, talent scouting, or event building/production. There is nothing more annoying than someone you've never met hitting you up on facebook wanting a gig on a big lineup. 99% of the time you'll be rejected. I have a few artists in mind who help out with the back-end of things who i always go to when i need a slot filled.
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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
The biggest challenge for myself and many artists is monetizing your passion. Many of us dont expect to make money with our music so we have side hustles to rake in income, but this distracts from the main goal. My partner and I created a new company that does speaker and LED wall rentals to frats at the University of Texas in Austin and clubs/events. This should sustain us while we continue to grow an artist agency and a studio we intend to build for our community of artists. Its still a "job" but i get paid to party know in a scene that i love.
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How do you promote yourself? Do you have any specific promotion tips for other musicians?
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
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http://www.facebook.com/scottycruzin
http://www.facebook.com/scottycruzin
Tweets by scottycruzin
http://www.grindhouseevents.com
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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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