Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Flores.
Derek, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Up until I was 12, I wanted to be a civil rights lawyer or astronaut. Then I saw KISS on TV for the first time and thought, “That looks way more fun! I wanna do THAT!” I didn’t know what part of “That” I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do it. A couple of days later, I begged my parents to buy me a guitar. They were hesitant to buy one because I had a habit of showing interest in a hobby and then forgetting about it, but I picked it up and never put it down. I spent hours playing and teaching myself new riffs, licks, and solos. I became obsessed with music. I listened to everything from KISS to Cannibal Corpse, Chicago, you name it. I just lived for discovering cool music. My grades started slipping and, at times, the highest score on my report cards was a “35.” My teachers used to yell at me because they couldn’t understand how all my test scores were perfect, but my grades were so lousy. I didn’t care. School wasn’t important to me. Finding a band and plotting world domination was way more important than school. I started joining every band that would have me. I also quit all of them. I wanted to be in a band that wanted to be the next The Beatles. Eventually, I found one who had the same drive and ambition. We eventually signed to a label that launched the careers of some bands I really liked. We toured half the country and then things took a turn. We disbanded and I went back to school to get my degree. Then the world shut down. I sat at home for what felt forever thinking “When this is over, I need to make a serious change. Being at a job for three weeks isn’t cutting it. You don’t enjoy school. You need to figure something out NOW.” I thought about forming bands, but nobody fit the style I wanted so I thought “I guess I’ll do it myself.” Once things opened up, I hit up every open mic from Brownsville to Houston and just played my songs for anybody who’d let me. I needed to know if I loved playing or just needed to scratch some itch I had. Was this a fun thing to do on weekends or is it my entire life? I got home from that trip, quit another job, spent every penny I had on live sound equipment and tried to book gigs. I was a day away from giving up and begging for an old job back when I met Tammy Miranda from TMMP. She and her agents took a chance on me and helped me keep this thing going. I got my first message from them at the very end of the snack aisle at HEB, right in front of the popcorn. Every gig I go to, I tell myself that I’m not here to just showcase myself. I’m representing people who gave me a chance when nobody else would even look in my direction. What I do reflects on them. Reminding myself that has kept this whole thing going and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Since then, I’ve played all over Texas from the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and anywhere that will have me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been anything but a smooth road. There have been days where I don’t feel vocally normal or my fingers are bleeding. Some days I feel like I’m disappointing the people who are cheering me on. I get the “This could all end tomorrow” feeling a lot and it keeps me up some nights. But I like it. It keeps me on my toes. Nothing worth having comes easy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer (still feels weird saying that), songwriter, and instrumentalist. I front a studio project called Ethun Hawk. I think I’ve become known for putting on a show. The first concert I ever went to was Motley Crue. My mom bought me tickets to see them on a school night. They had motorcycles on stage, fire, rollercoaster drum kits. You name it! It put the idea in my head that showing up and playing is the least you can do. People enjoy a show! I like to move around, interact with the crowd, and play guitar behind my head. I think that sets me apart from others.
How do you define success?
Being able to do what you love is success. I don’t need mansions, a lot of money, and sports cars. I just want to do this and only this.
Contact Info:
- Email: Derekfloresmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/_derekflores
- Facebook: Facebook.com/derekfloresofficial
- Twitter: Twitter.com/_derekflores
