Mauricio Morales
LA-based artist/composer/arranger/musician Mauricio Morales has just revealed his brand new single “Shine” featuring soulful singer/songwriter Matthew Grant. The combination of Morales and Grant talents created something magical and grandiose. I am always impressed every time I hear amazing instrumentations like this one. Shout out to the amazing musicians who took part of this record: Adam Hersh, Efa Etoroma, Dylan Naroff, Rita Andrade and Mikala Schmitz.
“Shine” is about freedom and accepting who we are, and it’s a song the world needs to hear.
“Shine” is out now. Go check it out !
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Mauricio Morales. I am a Mexican composer, arranger and bass player. I was born and raised in Mexico City until I moved to Boston to pursue a professional career in music, and then after I graduated, I moved to Los Angeles where I am currently based.
What did you grow up listening to?
I first started listening to my dad's music. 60's and 70's rock, progressive rock, 80's music, etc. That was a way through which I bonded with him, so it had an important impact on me. Other than listening to music together, we'd also go to see live shows. He actually took me to my first concert when I was 7 years old, it was Eric Clapton at the Foro Sol in Mexico City. I fell asleep but remember it very fondly.
Later I started exploring my own individuality and checked out the punk pop bands that were starting to develop in the early 2000's such as Blink 182, The Offspring and Green Day as well as some heavier things such as Linkin Park, Korn, Papa Roach, etc.
The more I grew into my teenage years the more I started listening to heavier and heavier music. I was (actually still am) a metal head. My favorite band still is, after 16 years, Iron Maiden. It is also worth mentioning that, even though he didn't really like it, my dad was still coming with me to the live concerts. I was a concert junkie, I wanted to see all my favorite bands play live.
Later on, as I was already playing music, I started leaning more towards progressive Metal, which led to fusion, which ultimately led to jazz. As a player and as a composer, my foundation lays there.
When did you start making music?
I started playing music when I was 13 or 14 years old, I honestly can't remember the exact year. I didn't choose the bass by the way, it kind of chose me. I told my good friend that my parents had finally agreed to let me have a guitar and he told me I should think about it twice, there were a few other guitar players in school, but that if I got a bass, then we would be able to start a band. I didn't think twice, I had been listening to rock bands all my life up until this point so the idea of being part of such a thing was incredibly exciting. Then after I got my first bass there was no going back.
When did you realize you had to be an artist and release your original music?
Throughout college. The truth is that I never even conceived the idea of being a composer, all I had ever wanted was to be the greatest bass player ever. But again, I didn't choose it, it kind of chose me. During my years in college, I spent a good amount of time wondering why I wasn't getting as many calls to play with people. Constantly waiting for others to invite me to be a part of their project. It was discouraging but that also inspired me to practice more and more, I genuinely didn't want to take 'no' for an answer. After a few years in college something clicked in me, and I decided that I wouldn't wait around for the call anymore. I figured I'd instead be the one making the call, so I started writing. It happened to be a blessing in disguise because I fell in love with writing more than anything else. I started writing every day and I truly enjoyed that process so much. It felt very genuine and personal. Releasing some of that music just felt like the natural thing to do after that.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
My parents. I am lucky to have always been supported by my family in absolutely every way.
How did your life change since your move to Los Angeles?
It has changed significantly. I've changed significantly. For starters, I first moved to Los Angeles after college, so I had to start thinking about how I was going to provide for myself. At this point I was taking every gig that was sent my way and going out to every session in town, I guess the normal move for someone that had just moved to a new city. The issue was that I wasn't exactly sure of what I should be aiming for. Most of my peers were working towards a big tour or working A list artists in pretty much any capacity, so naturally, I sort of followed those ideals since I didn't know better. Thankfully, with time, I started to find my identity. I stopped caring if I sounded too different to the status quo, in fact, I started embracing that. My ethos became the idea of pushing towards places that have not been explored yet. It is scary and incredibly challenging, but I can't think of anything else that fulfills me like embracing exactly who I am in the rawest most genuine way possible. As of right now I am far from being where I would like to be, but at least I like the direction I am going.
What biggest lessons have you learned since the beginning of your career?
To be myself. Such a cheesy statement, I know, but it is easier said than done. It is normal that we, as humans, will adapt in order to fit the status quo. We crave a need for acceptance and validation. Going in a direction that differs from the rest of our community feels incredibly lonely at times. It requires true acceptance.
"Shine" is your new single - what's the story behind this song?
The song is about freedom. The idea of allowing yourself to be exactly who you are.
Could you describe the songwriting/production for this record? Who helped you create it?
A few years ago, I met with my friend Tina Hughes to write some music. We recorded a few ideas on the voice memo app and I made a template for it on my computer. For whatever reason we never moved on with the song. A year or two later I was reviewing some voice memos and demos and found a section of that song that I really liked, so I used it as a reference to start something new. All the music was written first, including orchestration. Once I had a solid demo, I invited my good friend and incredible singer Matthew Grant to get together and work on the lead of the song, as well as Tina Hughes, who was already such an essential part of the song. Within a couple of hours, the song was finished. The week after we went into the studio and recorded all the vocals and, throughout the next month I replaced all the MIDI with real instruments. I was lucky to be able to have some of my favorite musicians in town, such as Adam Hersh, Efa Etoroma, Dylan Naroff, Rita Andrade and Mikala Schmitz, be a part of the project. After I recorded and layered what I needed I sent the song to mixing and mastering.
What's your favorite lyric on "Shine"?
But as time always tells,
When feelings fade are fail
Our lives will always sing our song.
What made you want to release "Shine" as a single?
I know this is not the deepest answer but honestly, logistics. It was the third song (this is the third single) that was finished so, in order for my timeline to work I went for what was ready. I am super happy and proud of every single song that's part of the upcoming album, so it wasn't a hard decision to make.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Well, in order to understand the music industry, we have to understand the human condition. The industry itself, it's simply a machine that exploits that and makes a profit out of it. A big percentage of the mainstream music industry is basically softcore porn (visually) that embraces some of the most carnal human desires. People engage with it, so the industry simply pushes it. This is a huge generalization of course, and I am very aware that even within that there is beauty. For me, as an artist and as someone who simply loves music, I like to think that we are more than that. I think of music and art as a way to explore the depths of everything that makes us human. Because of my ideals, I will mostly lean towards very genuine and sensitive work, which sadly, is not exactly being pushed. It exists, and will for as long as mankind is around, but many of those who pursue this path are barely heard of, in the grand scheme of things at least. If I could change one thing, I'd say I'd like for people to embrace true beauty.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Ten Summoner's Tales by Sting
Still Life (Talking) by Pat Metheny
Brave New World by Irong Maiden
Invisible Cinema by Aaron Parks
Signals by Rush
Gently Disturbed by Avishai Cohen
All the music from the video games Xenoblade Chronicles 1,2 and 3
What advice would you give to artists out there?
Work hard and don't give up. That's what I tell myself everyday at least.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More art.
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