Meet Josue Vazquez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josue Vazquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josue, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It started when my pops taught me guitar when I was 9 years old. Once I discovered I could play and enjoyed learning more, I was hooked. I was introduced to John Mayer thru my best friend in high-school and up until then I felt like I hadn’t found an artist or band I could dive into. Watching and listening to countless John Mayer videos and songs, I was inspired to play, write and make my own music. Watching how he played guitar and the feelings his songs would create was something I want to do.
And like every great artist, something drives/inspires them to do what they do, whether it be on stage or in the studio.
This something for me is my faith in God and in love.
When playing music, I feel it as a gift, not everyone is able to do it but everyone can still experience it, to be on the giving end and creating a sound that can invoke different feelings amongst strangers, friends, lovers, humans. Is a blessing and truly drives me to do music in any capacity. Because,
without music life would be a mistake.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Feeling like my dream is a world away… It truly is another world when you make a dream your reality. Ever since my pops taught me and introduced music in the form of a guitar. My world changed. I knew this is what I wanted to do. I was inspired to inspire others, help people understand a situation they’re going through, feel love thru music even if there’s no words or lyrics. Believing in yourself especially in music is challenging, it’s a big ocean of people all wanting to do exactly the same. What makes me different ? I’m a Mexican artist whose genre is not of the “normal” in the Latin culture let alone in San Diego, we definitely have great Latino R&B artists like Omar Apollo, Kali Uchis, etc. I want to add to that side of music history and inspire not only people but other Mexicans/ Latinos that there can be a life from this music thing. R&B/ Soul and Lo-Fi is the generes I feel represent my music. When I discovered artists like Mac Ayres, Tom Misch, Jesse Gold, Allen Stone, I fell into a world of groove and joy. Weather these artists sing about sadness or happiness, it all feels so good to hear the music come to life. Creating music is the one thing I know can help someone’s day be a little better, I know it can move someone to tears that turn into tears of joy, I want to create those moments for not only myself and the musicians I surround myself with but for those who want to experience life at the fullest. Being at a concert, feeling alive as a crowd of people move and groove to sounds of music.

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?
Coming to San Diego, you can do and experience so much. The first thing that comes to mind is the food, Mexican food to be specific. Juanita’s in Encinitas on the Highway 101, is in my opinion the best spot for a California Burrito and a refreshing Horchata, being so close you have to drive up and down the coast highway during sunset. There’s countless beaches and restaurants to choose from even live music depending on the night which is always a treat. After checking out Encinitas, we take a short drive to Oceanside where on Thursdays they have a street fair and all the foot traffic heads to the board walk to enjoy sunset and the waves crash. After experiencing some beach life we head to Down Town San Diego, almost feeling like you’re in La but a lot more chill and layed back, the famous House of Blues has amazing acts and the Music Box is right around the corner along with Little Italy, where my favorite restaurant is “Fillipi’s Pizza Grotto” amazing food and wine. Being in San Diego, my favorite spot to hike/ walk is Sunset cliffs, didn’t hear this from me but people jump off the cliff into the ocean, which was a great time when I did it with a friend back in high school. To end any day, we head back San Marcos where there’s a lookout point in San Elijo Hills that is breathtaking especially when the clouds consume the top of the hill, helps me feel grounded and centered.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A good friend of mine Kendra Checketts, local artist/ singer in San Diego.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Josuevvazquez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josuevvazquez/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/josuevvazquez

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@josuevazquez2140?si=NJpl3P2rvyLvlXti

Image Credits
Austin Cieszko, Chachi McDonald, Taylor Hatch, Yvan Nguyen