Interview: El Vow
Renowned deejay and producer El Vow just released his new single 'Rompe' and Louder Than The Music chatted with him about how it all began and his plans to make more music in the future.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
My name is "EL VOW" and I am originally from Texas now living in Florida. I got my first pair of turntables when I was 12, the rest has really been a journey. I did my first event when I was 14 and from then on God really took me on a journey.
Tell us about your new single 'Rompe' and what the inspiration behind it was?
When I was a kid my older brothers would listen to a lot of miami bass and freestyle music, I wanted to recreate that old school fast paced sound with a latin swing. The homie K-Drama sent me a record, once I added the latin elements it all came together very quickly.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
I do, I moved to Florida a year ago and life got really crazy, I'm finally in a place to push out more records.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I really want people to see that worship sounds different around the world.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I grew up listening to everything from hip hop, techno, rock to traditional Mexican music haha. I guess if you were to cook all of that together and season it with God's grace, then you get me.
If you could work with any artist, who would it be and why?
I spent years touring with my favorite artists, guys like Lecrae, Tedashii, Social Club Misfits, Derek Minor, KJ52, so on and so forth. I guess I am almost at the place where I feel confident asking them to collab with me in the studio versus all of the collabing we did on stage. Soul Glow Activatur because he knows how to make music that can move a crowd. I would also love to work with some international artists such as LZ7 and Gui Brazil because very few people of the faith capture that EDM flavor the way that they do. From the mainstream I would love the opportunity to work with guys like JVKE and Connor Price, because they love the lord and have created sounds unique to them, Sonny Sandoval from P.O.D. because of him I almost picked up an electric guitar. SO MANY TO NAME
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
I was blessed to have done music full time for years, I toured around the world and did ministry with some amazing people. I am finally in a season of developing myself as an artist. These days I lead the creative efforts for a parachurch ministry but still travel, just not as heavy as previous years.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Awwwweee maaan this is hard to answer, so hard. I guess for me some albums bring back incredible memories, "After the Music Stops" reminds me of when I was a kid on fire for the Lord and having my mind blown because I finally heard Christian Hip Hop Texas style (I'm from Texas) yet albums like "The Misadventures of Fern & Marty" bring back some wild moments that happened on tour.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Honestly I'd probably listen to "Two Man Army" by Positive just to fit the island vibe.
What does the next year hold for you?
I'm trying to improve as an artist in all aspects, spiritually, in production, in writing, in engineering, in PR, hopefully I can finally put together enough art to put out a full length project.
