Meet Yago Mann | Music Producer and Guitar Player

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

Hi Yago, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My full name is Santiago Granados Mann. But Yago Mann is shorter! Lol. I grew up in Cuernavaca, a small city south of Mexico City, in a very creative home. My father is an architect and artist. Music was always playing — mostly classic rock from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin to whatever new bands were breaking at the time. Nobody in my family played instruments, but my dad and older brother were true music fans who knew all the history, went to concerts, and shared that passion with me.

One of my brother’s friends, who was in a band, became my first guitar teacher — even though my first dream was to be a drummer. That started after an unforgettable moment when my dad won tickets to see Def Leppard in Mexico City. I was only ten, the youngest person in the crowd, and I’ll never forget seeing their drummer perform with just one hand. It was incredibly inspiring. My mom, however, banned drums from the house, so I chose guitar instead —much to her surprise when I got my first amp.

My parents were always incredibly supportive of me choosing music as my career. Along with encouraging my creativity, they taught me values like responsibility, consistency, discipline, and perseverance — all of which still guide me today. Those early years, surrounded by music, art, and culture, gave me a deep respect for creativity and a love for music that continues to drive everything I do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a music producer, mixer and guitar player. I work with artists to produce and mix their music and I also create music for sync licensing — meaning TV, film, and other media. At the core of what I do is collaboration. What excites me most is helping an artist take an idea — sometimes just a voice memo or a rough sketch — and turning it into a fully produced song they love and feel proud of.

I’m also passionate about experimenting with different styles and creating music that finds its way into TV or film. There’s something magical about making a track in my studio, then hearing it set to a powerful scene on screen.

If there’s one thing that defines my approach, it’s that I listen — really listen — to the artist. I see my role as elevating what’s already in their head rather than reshaping it into my personal taste. I know many producers leave too much of their own stamp on a project; my philosophy is to protect the artist’s vision and make it the best version of itself.

Recently, I’ve also been channeling that same mindset into a mentorship program I created for professional guitar players. I help them learn to produce, release, and pitch their music for sync opportunities, giving them full creative control and independence.

Getting here wasn’t easy — it’s been a long process of trial and error, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the value of surrounding yourself with the right people. The right mentors, teachers, and collaborators can accelerate your growth tremendously. But it’s not about shortcuts — it’s about learning faster and smarter by being in the right environment.

Along the way, I’ve learned to be persistent and patient, to quickly identify who’s genuinely there to help, and to always bring value to others — not just to the people helping me, but to the community as a whole. Don’t just ask for something; always bring something to the table. That’s been a guiding principle in my career and my relationships.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve got unfinished songs sitting on your hard drive, whether you’re an artist looking for a producer to bring them to life, or a guitar player wanting to finally learn how to produce and release your own music, I’d love to help. I’m currently working with new artists and accepting guitar players into my mentorship program, so feel free to reach out. Let’s get your music out into the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If friends were visiting, I’d start the day with breakfast at Golden Hill Café — in my opinion, they have the best chilaquiles in San Diego, hands down. From there, if it’s spring or summer, we’d either go kayaking in Coronado or mountain biking around the Otay Lake area. If they’re up for something a little more relaxed, we could explore the San Diego Zoo or take a walk around Liberty Station.

For lunch, I’d take them to one of my absolute favorite Italian spots — Piacere Mio in South Park. Afterward, we’d head back to Liberty Station for a stroll, a cortado from Bird Rock Coffee, and maybe an alfajor from Paraná Empanadas at the marketplace.

In the evening, we’d hit some live music and beers — maybe Lou Lou’s at the Lafayette Hotel or Panama 66 in Balboa Park. And if everyone’s still hungry after that, we’d cap the night with late-night tacos at Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I have to give credit to my parents and my brother. From the time I was little, they were incredibly supportive — not just of my love for music, but of how serious I was about it at such a young age. That kind of belief really set the foundation for everything.

I also want to thank my friends and bandmates from those early days — the ones who were with me in garages, writing songs with cheap instruments, chasing the same dreams. Every band I was in was built on a group of incredible friends who pushed and inspired me. You know who you are.

A special thanks to my first music teachers, especially my classical guitar teacher Guillermo Gonzalez and my teacher in Mexico City, Álvaro Torres, who encouraged me to attend the LA Music Academy. That decision was a turning point in my career.

And of course, my wife, my kids, and the amazing group of artists and musicians I get to work with today. Your trust, collaboration, and belief in what I do mean the world to me. Thank you all.

Website: https://www.yagomann.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yagomann/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-granados-mann/

Other: Spotify Credits Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mrtjMXpYzcQc4b5i0jggk?si=98a154c7d3b242a5