Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachariah Cabral.
Hi Zachariah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Imagine swapping the laid-back vibes of Hawaii’s West Coast for the disciplined ranks of the US Air Force in my early 20s. I traded a surfboard for combat boots – not your everyday transition, but then again, my journey has been anything but ordinary. After a 6-year commitment, this unexpected catalyst kickstarted my journey into the creative world. The shift was as jarring as a cold shower, yet it was what crystallized my dream of melding music with entrepreneurship. In 2013, post-service, I planted my roots in Orlando, diving headfirst into Full Sail University. I embarked on an academic marathon there, completing a BS in Recording Arts and a Master’s in Entertainment Business within three years. I even began an MFA in Film before acknowledging my limits. Attempting three degrees in such a short span was my homage to speed dating – thrilling but, ultimately, a lesson in pacing myself. The foundation for Castle Door Studios emerged amidst this whirlwind of learning and self-discovery. It wasn’t a solo mission, though. I couldn’t be where I am now without the unwavering support of friends and family, turning my dream job into a tangible reality. Every step, every misstep, and every leap has been a chapter in this unconventional tale of a Hawaiian in Orlando, building a sanctuary for sound and creativity.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? Far from it. Imagine a road so rough it’s less of a road and more of an obstacle course designed for the insane. In music production, you don’t tiptoe in with mere interest; you dive in headfirst with an all-consuming love for the craft. It’s a path where you have to bleed; you have to sweat, you have to cry, and you bleed some more. My calendar was a blur of workdays for the initial two years, with hardly a moment’s rest and little financial reward. Just as I began to glimpse the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, 2020 unfurled a pandemic, throwing us all into uncharted waters. Yet, thanks to the songwriter workshop I started with my partner Alyssa in 2019, the community we fostered held us afloat. This close-knit collective became our support, sustaining us through the tumult. In moments of despair, I’d remind myself that I was crafting music, not taking orders—every drumbeat a step away from my past, every chord a leap towards the future. This journey isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s for those who find sanity in the madness, who view sacrifice not as a loss but as an investment, and who, frankly, might have a screw loose for loving this madness so fiercely. It’s a wild ride, and there probably was some unnecessary suffering. But success isn’t earned without failure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Yes, I’m the Co-Owner of Castle Door Studios, nestled in the creative heart of Winter Park. Here, my roles are as varied as the artists we host. I perform all the admin, booking, client-facing, email, and phone answering work, but I’ll also transition to producer, engineer, mixer, music video producer, podcast engineer, etc. Whatever the job needs, I do my best to fill the mold. When I need help in a particular department, I hire a list of closely regarded colleagues to take up the mantle. Our team’s spirit is best embodied by the talents of my bandmates (Check out Conflicting Motive): Doug, Co-Owner, phenomenal drummer, wicked composer, and JP, whose grasp of music theory could fill books. They’re not just bandmates; they’re the kind of professionals you hire without a second thought because their expertise is unmatched. There’s also an entourage of other highly skilled musicians in Orlando who are called upon when a particular instrumentalist/singer is needed. I’m particularly proud of the Songwriter Workshop we run. It’s a testament to community and collaboration, surviving and thriving through whatever challenges come our way, including a nearly 2-year switch to virtual gatherings during COVID. It’s become more than just a workshop; it’s a family of artists supporting and inspiring one another. It’s a beautiful community, and I love them all. In an industry where passion is a given, what differentiates me is not a competitive edge but a collaborative heart. I relish co-creating with others—nearly every song is a joint effort. And when it comes to our clients, it’s about understanding and meeting their emotional and artistic needs, ensuring they leave feeling valued and fulfilled. It’s not about standing out for the sake of applause; it’s about ensuring everyone hits the right note, and that’s something you can’t quantify.
What matters most to you? Why?
At the risk of stating the obvious, music isn’t just what I do; it’s a vital part of who I am. It’s that sweet spot where the artistry of sound meets the precision of science, and I find myself lucky to live at this crossroads daily as an audio engineer and producer. This blend of the Arts and Science fuels my spirit and cultivating this in the Orlando music scene feels less like a job and more like a privilege. But it’s not just the music itself; it’s the journey of creation that I find most rewarding. There’s magic in taking an idea from a rough melody to a fully realized production while collaborating with some of the city’s most skillful and talented minds. I put my heart into each project I take on, and I know I’m in the right place when the people around me blow me away. What truly matters to me is the impact we make. I aspire to have my contributions echo positively, amplifying the voices and visions of the artists I work with. If I can look back and see a trail of inspired creatives, I’ve hit the right notes in my career. It’s about leaving a mark that matches my values and, hopefully, strikes a chord that resonates well into the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.castledoorstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castledoorstudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CastleDoorStudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachariahcabral/
- Other: https://www.conflictingmotive.com
Image Credits
Shelby Bennett, Zach Cabral, JP Foronda, Alyssa Rose, Stewart Spears, Frankie Messina
