Conversations with El Javi

Today we’d like to introduce you to El Javi. 

El Javi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Mexico City, a city with deep culture and influences. My parents always had music in the house; classical, jazz, rock, traditional Mexican, and everything in between. To me, that’s where my musical journey began, by falling in love with music and all of its sounds. Then at 12 when I picked up the guitar, I started to play all the music that I listened to. The musicians inspired me and I knew that someday I wanted to do the same.

It took me many years of study to find my voice with the instrument. I learned how to play many music styles, but it wasn’t until I discovered flamenco that I was able to compose my own music. I found my unique language with the guitar; a fusion of all the music I learned throughout the years.

Now, music is the way I connect with the divine and with the world. My mission has been to be able to communicate and tell a story with music alone; no words, no lyrics. Simply allowing the music to speak for itself, with the guitar as its voice.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There are always struggles, but I think that is what makes it more enjoyable. To conquer your own fears and rise above the challenges is what feeds the art and gives us something to create. To me, the biggest struggle is to keep my own fears in check. Being a musician can be so unstable, a lot of the work is seasonal and you have to constantly reinvent how you approach things.

I’m also a perfectionist and that can get in the way of the creative process. I’ve been learning to not be so strict with myself and allow music to flow purely without getting my head too involved in the experience.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am not only a guitarist. I’m a composer, performer, producer, and teacher. I’ve been a professional musician for 18 years. I have released 6 albums under my own label.

I play instrumental guitar-based music and I’m proud to say that I have created a unique music style. I don’t feel I sound like anyone else. You can hear many of my influences in my music, but the sound is unique. I’ve taken the expression of the flamenco guitar and combined it with Rock, Jazz, Latin, Classical, and Folk.

I have also helped countless people of all ages to connect with the guitar. Sharing that with others is something I truly love.

How do you define success?
There’s not one answer. Real success is to spend your days doing what you love. It’s having a rich life. Not just monetary; rich with experiences, love, friends and blessings.

It comes with a balance of work and play time and the recognition from others for your efforts and talent.

Over time, I’ve found that success is to be of service to others and to be a positive influence in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eljavi.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/eljavimusic
• Facebook: facebook.com/eljavimusic
• Twitter: twitter.com/eljavimusic
• Youtube: youtube.com/eljavimusic
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/el-javi

Image Credits
Melissa Markle
Sara Hertwig
Aaron Walls