Exploring Life & Business with Dominque Robbins of Art Matters Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominque Robbins.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Started as an artist in 2009 and since then I have been working on my sound my style. I have gone through so many transitions musically and stylistically it’s nuts lol, but over time as I grew I followed certain people’s advice which later on played a huge part in my evolution.

To take things back further, my musical journey began at the age of three years old. I began singing and playing the drums, and eventually, I picked up the violin.

I played the violin, and the drums and sang all through school. I have traveled and played behind many Gospel artists which gave me the experience I don’t think I would’ve gotten had I not been connected to the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Those were some great times.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth, but it is getting a bit easier. The biggest obstacle is getting out of my own way.

I have dealt with mental illness for most of my life and so there are times when things like self-doubt and not feeling good enough come in and I either stop for a bit or I write but it’s not good, because it isn’t coming from a good place.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Art Matters Productions is truly my baby. I started it back in 2017 as a potential record label, but the dream was to make it a physical location, so in 2021 I left my job at the prison and I embarked on the journey to open Art Matters Productions Studios, which I did in February of 2022.

Art Matters Productions specializes in recording mixing and mastering, but I offer other services such as live sound, lighting, classes for students and workshops, events, and event planning. Soon I will offer live streaming and I will switch to a new subscription-based service for recording.

Art Matters Productions is the first of its kind in Rocky Ford and the fact that it is also black and LGBTQ owned and operated means that much more because there are little to none of us here, so I am truly being the oddball in more than one way.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned the importance of human interaction as an artist. I started performing on Facebook Live because I couldn’t do it any other way in 2020, so I invested in a mixer and some good mics and just went crazy not just releasing music but performing when I could on Facebook.

I did long for the feel of the audience in my seats and having moments where I get to give hugs and thank people for supporting me. Now that I get to do it, I love it!

Pricing:

• $50 per hour for recording, mixing, and mastering is included.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artmattersproductions.com
• Other: www.dminqofficial.com

Image Credits
Faith Lacy Photography