Today we’d like to introduce you to José Ignacio Mateis Balza.
Hi José Ignacio, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is José Ignacio Mateis. I am a musician, DJ, and videographer who has traveled the world in search of my place. I have lived in Venezuela, Spain, Colombia, Bolivia, and I am now based in Austin, where I feel the adventure is just beginning.
In my pursuit of images, knowledge, and sharing music, I have visited 96 cities around the world. These experiences have allowed me to discover diverse cultures and beautiful music that have deeply shaped my perspective.
My story begins in Mérida, a small city in Venezuela surrounded by mountains. As a child, rock music videos and documentaries opened a window into a world I longed to explore. Living with dyslexia made formal education challenging, but through music and discipline, I found my path.
I eventually built a career as a music producer, which led me to study audio in Barcelona, Spain. Along the way, I developed a strong passion for video editing and camera work. I spent years working in recording studios and composing music, eventually becoming the host and director of my own TV show, El Toque Viajero. I also worked as a university audio professor, received sponsorships from DJ equipment brands, and collaborated with both high-end and mid-level recording studios.
Between 2004 and 2016, I produced and recorded more than 60 albums for rock and pop bands.
However, Venezuela entered a deep crisis, and the lack of opportunities forced me to seek a future abroad. I first moved to Colombia, where I struggled to find stability, even working as a karaoke singer at one point. Later, I moved to Bolivia, initially with the goal of climbing a mountain, but the country became my home. It was there that I found love, which opened new possibilities for me as a DJ. I had already gained experience performing in various places and alongside recognized artists, but always within an unstable economy.
During the pandemic, while living in Bolivia, I focused on music composition and created my documentary Music, Freedom and Mountains. This project ultimately brought me to the United States, where I had the opportunity to connect with the Austin Film Festival, one of the most important artistic doors I have encountered. �
Here, I decided to start again.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Big challenges are like mountains to climb. You feel exhausted, out of breath, sometimes without food, and your body suffers—but you keep going because your goal is the summit. And once you reach it, you realize you’ve only completed 50%, because you still have to make it back down.
For me, living in different countries has meant learning to navigate different systems and realities. In many parts of South America, corruption has been one of the hardest things I’ve experienced. I try to be a respectful person who follows the law, and maybe that’s why it often takes me twice as long to reach my goals—but I choose to stay true to my values.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I dedicated many years of my life to music—an industry that can be both beautiful and ruthless. Over time, I applied my knowledge of audio software to video, combining my passion for storytelling through visual art, especially documentaries, with my ability to create music that brings images to life.
I created a Venezuelan TV series called El Toque Viajero, where I traveled across different cities and countries, exploring local music cultures. From the Amazon, learning from the Pemón indigenous communities, to Bogotá, playing vallenato, the series consisted of eight episodes and was broadcast on Venezuelan television.
My first documentary, released on YouTube, was Emigrar: Buscando Libertad Lejos de Casa, filmed in Colombia.
Later, I created Music, Freedom and Mountains, a documentary filmed across Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This project received 12 laurels at independent film festivals around the world.
In Bolivia, I also participated in a powerful project climbing Huayna Potosí alongside the Cholitas Escaladoras for journalist Jorge Ramos. This piece, titled A Crying for Bolivia, aimed to raise awareness about the fight against femicides and highlight the strength and resilience of Bolivian women.
Here in Austin, I filmed the story of one of my closest friends, Reinaldo: Immigrant and Combat Veteran, which received an Honorable Mention at an ATX short film festival.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t rely on negative comments or opinions. Respect each person’s integrity for who they truly are. Be mindful and respectful of other people’s time and schedules. Never stop believing in your projects—and most importantly, bring them to life
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naxxopiloto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/naxxopiloto
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/QpRFcua3W-Q
- Ebook: ebook.com/naxxopiloto
- Email: naxxopiloto@gmail.com
