Today we’d like to introduce you to Miguel Tarin Torres.
Hi Miguel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Miguel Tarin Torres is a bassist and composer based in NE Ohio. Born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in the year 2000, he started studying bass at the age of twelve, leading up to eventually teaching music in his high school and individual lessons out of his home. Miguel developed his primordial musical foundation based on funk music and rock and Latin rhythms while always loving electronic music. Miguel moved to Ohio in October of 2017 to further pursue his musical education and to hone his chops and compositional skills, as well as playing with local musicians and groups such as Inpatient, Rent For Cheryl, Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric, Most Wanted Vibes, among others. His primary focus is trying to connect the dots between all the genres and musical nuances that have influenced him and sew them into one cohesive musical experience he can call his own. Miguel’s primary goal is to create and converse in musical contexts that make both the audience and the musicians connect and explore musical creativity in the many shapes that it comes.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Trying to immerse myself and hop into a new music scene in a new country as a 17-year-old was hard. I struggled with feelings of not belonging and a fear of not being good enough to hop on a jam session for a while. Then I got to thinking and realized the only way to work towards the dream of living as a full-time musician was to get out there and try. The feelings didn’t disappear, but I have learned to know and believe in people’s trust in me. It was a process of trial and error, but I would slowly start making my way into blues and jazz jam sessions. The main challenge to getting the music career ball rolling was organizing my time between school and the money I made working as a crew member at a Dairy Queen. It took some time and request-offs to slowly but surely start making connections and having sporadic gigs pop up. The next big challenge for me is to navigate better and establish connections with my peers within the local scene and neighboring states so I can start working regularly in and out of state with the projects I am part of. I am thankful for all the circumstances; they have been invaluable learning experiences and introduced me to genuinely amazing and kind-hearted people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have immersed myself in as many possible musical situations as possible to make myself a well-rounded musician. In my first 5 years in Ohio, I worked mainly as a musician for hire for various types of events, mainly within the jazz idiom and with Jazz Funk group Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric. At the same time, I was working on making and recording songs on my computer through Ableton and slowly getting more acquainted with the workings of recording software and the vast world of mixing and mastering, which would lead to the release of my first solo EP “Moving Out” where for the first time I played every instrument on the record. In February of 2022, I joined Rent For Cheryl as their bassist, allowing me to step into the Akron/Cleveland alternative and pop scene and build connections with peers and venues in the area. That same band is where I met the guitarist/synth player for my newest project, Inpatient. We started playing in February of this year and have gotten a lot of great opportunities, such as opening for Meatbodies, who I have listened to since before I even knew I would move to America.
What changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I am no music industry expert or connoisseur. I have seen more weight put into social media traction regarding landing “better” shows. The great thing about being in an interconnected world is that you can meet like-minded creatives in nearby cities and states, establish beneficial partnerships, and set up shows much more quickly than in previous generations. Conversely, the number of people and bands trying to book shows is overwhelming, so promoters must carefully review every project sent to them. It is paramount to find ways to convey the quality of your product effectively and quickly to capture your audience’s attention.
Contact Info:
- Website: migueltarin.univer.se
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/miguel_plays_bass/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tarinplaysbass
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XsmdG-3KUj6PAd4v20_9A
- soundcloud: soundcloud.com/miguel-tarin-torres
- Other: Inpatient.univer.se
Image Credits
Chris Kurka, Holly Pearcy, Josh Land
