Meet Mario Vasquez a.k.a (Official Gaston) | Singer-songwriter, Contemporary Hip-hop Producer, and Musician. Local Business Owner of Underdog Pet Stylist, est. 2015, Oxnard, C.A.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mario Vasquez a.k.a (Official Gaston) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mario, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Oxnard, California.

My dad passed away when I was one, so it was just my mom and I for the first 14 years of my life. I now have three siblings, two sisters and one brother. I spent most of my childhood heavily influenced by music. I started studying music, taking private Bass Lessons and playing bass in a cover band when I was twelve years old. Little did I know, this was the start of my music career.

I excelled academically which allowed me to skip earlier grades and graduate from high school early. I was accepted into one of Hollywood’s world renown and most competitive contemporary music schools, Musicians Institute (M.I.). I had internships at Warner Music Group and a publishing company associated with Universal Music Group, where I gained valuable insights to fast-track my creative paths. At 20 years old, I graduated from M.I. in 2007 with a Major in Electric Bass and a Minor in Music Business. I am forever grateful to all my instructors that played an influential role to help me further my music career.

In early 2015, music production was heavily introduced to me by my good friend, my fellow M.I. Alumni and mentor, Jason Blaine (Producer for Tyga). I was committed to putting in my Producers “10,000 Hours” as they say. In addition to music production, I also began producing and writing my own music as “Official Gaston” and releasing them on major platforms, i.e. Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, etc.

I joined the band, Penny Harlow in 2017. We began catalog building, brand building and intense rehearsals. Our day duet album “Looking for My Mind” was released in 2020.

In addition to my music career, I’ve had the honor of being a local business owner of Underdog Pet Stylist here in Oxnard, C.A. My mom and business partner founded Underdog Pet Stylist in 2015 and we haven’t looked back since. We love the support of our local community and because of that, we are still here today. Underdog Pet Stylist provides a new level of care with reliable and experienced Stylists for all cats and dogs. We’ll take care of your beloved pet as if they were our own — with love, kindness and endless patience. My mom’s work ethic, ongoing support and genuine care for others are instilled in me today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Although the music I produce tends to stay in more of a hip hop lane, it also falls in the pop genre as well.

Taking it a step further than just being an artist, music production is a very complex animal that takes years to understand.

I truly believe we are students for life, and you should never stop developing your craft. I’ve adopted an athlete’s mind-set and I apply that to all areas of my life. Running a local business by day and music production by night… I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but that’s what I love about it. This is where perseverance comes into play. It’s that moment when you know you’re doing the right thing and you keep your head down and just keep going.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way, is hard work outdoes talent. Lastly, you always control your own narrative.

Be on the lookout for “Official Gaston” Singer-songwriter, Contemporary Hip-hop Producer, and Musician. Also, support your local businesses! Local Business Owner of Underdog Pet Stylist, est. 2015, Oxnard, C.A.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Without question, we would take a trip to downtown Ventura. We would have lunch at Finny’s and then a little Bourbon tasting at The Saloon. We would schedule a few yoga sessions at my favorite local spot, Grassroots Yoga in Ventura. The Seabridge Marina is amazing for a nice walk or run. We would visit Ventura Harbor and rent the swan boats at sunset. We would take a couple of road trips. First, a trip to LA to hear some live music at the Palladium and lastly a nice drive to Ojai to visit one of my favorite wineries, Topa Mountain Winery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In early 2015, music production was heavily introduced to me by my good friend, my fellow M.I. Alumni and mentor, Jason Blaine (Producer for Tyga). I was committed to putting in my Producers “10,000 Hours” as they say. Thank you for all the late nights, early mornings in the studio and for sharing your wealth of knowledge with me.

Shout out to Brian Allen, Private Bass Instructor at M.I., Tita Hutchinson, Lead Vocal Instructor at M.I. and Lis Lewis, Vocal Coach to artist Rhianna, Bryson Tiller and Miguel. All of which played a very influential role in my development. I am forever grateful, and I apply the valuable pro guidance that has helped to further advance my music career.

I would like to shout out my girlfriend, Pamela Bevill for all her love and endless support since day one.

My mom, Beatriz Garcia has been right by my side. Thank you for allowing me to dream big, even as a kid. My mom was a single mother and full-time pet stylist and a shining example of what hard work and love looks like. Thank you, mom, for always believing in me.

Shout out to my best friend, Patrick Williams, a.k.a. Patrick Shatter. You are the company you keep. Even 16 years ago we adopted sort of a freakish mindset, if you will, to be the best versions of ourselves every day. As both local business owners, band mates and entrepreneurs…we are just getting started.

Website: www.underdogpetstylist.com

Instagram: @theofficialgaston AND @underdogpetstylist

Youtube: https://youtu.be/9mbC_tqr5Lk

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4e5IUGmtNriMWjxhQRcYuU?si=l_d6tlukSeS6m3JiD6-s2w