Conversations with Raul Ochoa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raul Ochoa.

Hi Raul, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Austin in 2011 after leaving Texas A&M University. My initial plan was to pursue acting at Zach Theatre and other film opportunities while I finished up my remaining courses. I got a job working at Backroads Austin. After they suddenly closed, I began playing music through Tammy Miranda Music Productions. At the same time, my former co-workers at Backroads eventually led me to Stompin Grounds Lounge where I spent the next six years running an open mic and booking local bands while also performing full time. Since that time, I have released four albums and performed thousands of shows in both the original music and cover music scenes while still running and performing at Open Mics all over town.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth by any means. In 2016 I began experiencing some mental health struggles due to both personal life a severe alcoholism. On June 16, 2018 I landed in the hospital with a cirrhosis diagnosis. I was told “if you do not stop drinking you’ll be dead in three years.” I have been sober ever since that day. The most challenging aspect of being a sober musician in a town like Austin is nearly the entire environment and culture in the music scene is built around alcohol. The most awkward is Customers constantly bringing you shots on stage that you have to turn down and hope that they understand.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I feel as though I specialize in networking the most when it comes to the music industry. I have been fortunate enough to meet so many people and introduce people that should meet each other. Around Austin, I believe I am likely best known for being an open mic host first and a performer second. I am extremely proud of the original music myself and others got to cultivate at Stompin Grounds Lounge. Through that venue, I made friendships with countless artists, several of whom are incredibly successful, and I’m proud to continue cultivating an original music haven at Speakeasy’s Open Mic.

Within my original music, I’m most proud of the fact that I actually made albums and continue to create and that it’s not universally hated.

As far as what sets me apart, I would like to think of my personable-ness. To me it doesn’t matter if you’re famous or getting on stage for the first time. I try and be supportive of everyone I can doing their art because I remember being younger and terrified of how others might see me. I’ve mostly gotten over that.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success through two conversations I’ve had in my life with two musicians who have unfortunately passed away. When I first moved to Austin there was an older gentleman named Gary Lynn Williams who always played the open mic. He pulled me aside one day and said “I hear all you young kids talk about ‘making it’. I’m 70 years old and all I’ve done since I was 18 was make music. I’ve made it.”

The other conversation was with a guy named Jay Wolf. Jay was 22 I believe when he passed. Our last interaction was over messenger and I was asking what he wanted to do with music and he replied along the lines of “I’m just a kid with my guitar. I just wanna play.”

If I can hold onto these simple lessons, I consider that success. Play. And love every minute of it that you can.

Contact Info:

• Email: moderndaymidas@gmail.com
• Instagram: @moderndaymidas
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/moderndaymidas
• Twitter: @moderndaymidas
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/moderndaymidas
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/sEKN5E13nwqT3wsK7
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hekBbaaIbKz6QBcknbAVH?si=NLJXFKYSRRSr6_JCJKUpag

Image Credits:
Alexander Gilbert of Studio Gilbii