Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Carpio.
Hi Julian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My music career started when I was a senior in high school. I was traveling with Noise Complaint, my high school’s A Capella group, when we received the opportunity to record a full-length studio album. After going through the entire process of recording and listening through mixes and making final master decisions… I fell in love with the modern music industry. Flash Forward to Fall of 2020, I enrolled at Valencia College East Campus with hopes of graduating with my degrees in Studio and Music Technology and Commerical Music. At this point in my life, I was cultivating my EP, learning to apply what had been taught to me by Daryl Yasay and Dr. Jeffery Redding, my former teachers noted by their accomplishments such as Dr. Redding’s acceptance of the 2019 Grammy Award for Music Educator of the Year and Mr. Yasay’s constant striving and achievements made with Noise Complaint. They both inspired me and taught me how to strive for greatness in the face of adversity. At this point in my life, and many times before… I was struggling to find ways to make ends meet. Although I was working as a valet, my family and I were going through tough times in the face of the pandemic. I was working every day just to make enough money to get by. Never having enough time for myself, let alone time to make music. And as the pandemic worsened, I found myself feeling emotionally and mentally drained from all of the worries. I needed to find a way to make my dreams work. I needed to get myself out of the situation I was in. And I was determined to do whatever it took.
For the following year, I saved up to buy all of my studio equipment, even vouching to sell my bed to have more studio space in my room. I continued my classes at Valencia, mostly thanks to my mother and sister for continuing to push me to achieve despite the situation around us. And by September of 2021, I had reflected, molded, and manifested my reality into existence. During this entire process, I was writing, producing, and listening to the lessons of the world. Trying to find my place, and finding the words to express my feelings. Thanks to the Universe, God, and the people that have supported me since the beginning, the LIFE. EP was born. A complete narrative of my life leading up to that point.
In my mind it was a checkpoint; to be able to look back and reflect on what I had created. I had finally made something that I was truly proud of, and changed the world around me for the better.
In October of 2021, Henry Paulson, AKA Mr. Supernova approached me with the offer of recording a studio-length album after hearing the work on my EP. I was in the process of opening Modern Renaissance Records and becoming an independent publisher for my music when Nova (a childhood friend, and my “brother”) wanted to support my vision. We went through the process of recording his album and releasing it on all platforms as Modern Renaissance’s debut release and it was an instant hit around Orlando. In the following weeks, my clientele would double, then triple! As I was adding the finishing touches to my EP.
Finally, on January 7th of 2022, I made my debut release on all platforms! LIFE. was finally out, and in the coming weeks, many musicians who I had looked up to and wanted to work with came to Modern Renaissance Records, wanting to record their music! It was a dream come true.
At this point, I was stepping into financial independence as I had stopped working valet for a couple of months now. I was fully enveloped in the world of music, surrounded by peers who truly inspire me with everything that they do. Musicians who wanted to support the artistry and put their city on the map.
We all had two common goals. Show the world Orlando’s true soul… and inspire a Modern Renaissance. It is now March of 2022 and we have multiple artists’ debut EPs finishing up for release! Two studio length albums being prepped for all platforms, and not to mention my singles dropping within the coming weeks, maybe even a full-length album in the works… who knows?
But thanks to the support I had around me, the opportunities God and the Universe provided for me, and the persistence I kept to achieve my dreams. I am now living in the reality that I was dreaming of 2 years ago.
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?
Oftentimes, money was a struggle. But in my family, we were very adamant about never letting money, or the lack thereof, be something that could hold us back. I found that mentality super hard to tap into at the beginning of my career. I was struggling with my mental health following past relationships, and on top of the world pandemic bringing isolation to the plate, there were also financial problems and obligations I had to deal with. But that alone could not stop my dreams. I concluded that I was much closer to my dreams than I was to the “reality” of working my 9-5. I had traveled the world and recorded an album with my A Capella group already, what was one independent release gonna do? Following my first release on SoundCloud, “IDK.” I was inspired to keep working on my dreams and in the following years, I would overcome many obstacles to finally release my LIFE. EP independently, as well as open my record company, Modern Renaissance Records.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a recording artist and producer/ mixing and mastering engineer. As a vocalist, I love Rap and R&B. I also taught myself how to play piano, drums, and guitar. I believe what sets me apart as an artist is that I also own an independent record label, Modern Renaissance Records. I am most proud of the community that I’ve created with the talented artists that I have surrounding me.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Growing up, the book Brave Story was a truly inspiring read. I was in middle school dealing with my own situations when Miyuki Miyabe’s Brave Story inspired me. To this day I still reference the book, and recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a fantastic read.
Contact Info:
- Email: modernrenaissancerecords@gmail.com
- Website: https://juliancarpio12.wixsite.com/modernrenaissancerec
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliancarpiomusic/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/julian.carpio.50
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCGRA_mhj9yWIxniVYPWt6Qg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/NNQTj4sexvzn4cXS9
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3NmwdrxWuSgySPEOiGK0Ya?si=pYrRS2bQR3e8O7tjLlRo6g
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/julian-carpio/1591564376
Image Credits
Joseph Ramos
