Today we’d like to introduce you to Yamal Said
Hi Yamal, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My family moved to Austin in the late 80’s, after a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City. My family was looking to make a change and the relatively flat lands of central Texas must have been appealing after what we had just experienced. Our lives had been completely turned upside-down, overnight.
There was always music in the house growing up and my parents were fond of dancing. I have memories of sitting on a barstool, watching my parents dance in honky-tonks, cumbia dance parties, at salsa dancing lessons or the flea market off 290.
When I was 14, I asked my parents for a drum set. I got a cheap guitar. I taught myself what I could and eventually saved up for a few lessons. When I turned 18, I started playing in bands and going on tour.
At that time I also started working at Texas School for the Blind – as a substitute. It was a job that allowed me to pay the bills and still be able to continue to tour with bands. It became a place where I would learn much more than I ever expected. What began as a means to an end, to pursue my dream of becoming a musician – became my career in music and music instruction. I’ve learned about many types of students and teaching styles. Students with multiple disabilities, cognitive issues, behavior issues, students on the spectrum.
I began to teach music soon after and it’s been my passion since. I currently have a select core of music students and I am still involved with Texas School for the Blind.
I am also still in a touring band, I’ve been the drummer in the band Lord Buffalo for the last 7 years. Our newest album will be released in July and I’m grateful to be able to perform and continue to tour and create music.
I am amazed at how these different communities have intersected in my life. They each inform one another in unique ways and I look forward to being a part of them for years to come. They are all filled with passionate, caring and committed people whom I am proud to work with.
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?
Oh boy, not smooth at all. I think in the beginning it was easy. Living in Austin at one time was very easy. You could do all sorts of creative things outside of your day job and still make it work. I’d say some of the biggest struggles in the past years have been being able to grow as a person, continue to flourish in a growing city and keep an authenticity about my creative work.
I can say that’s probably the story for most of the people I know. I love my Austin music family. We share a drive for what we do and hopefully continue to inspire each other. I think without that sense of community, I’d have quit a long time ago.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Music Instructor working in Austin for the past 20 years. I teach Drums, Guitar, Bass and Keyboard. I have experience working with many different kinds of students.
I specialize in music instruction with an emphasis on unique learning situations. Whatever you think your limitations might be, I’d like the chance to change your mind about them. Keep your goals in sight and work on them one step at a time, it’s a process. I tell my students that is true, even for veteran musicians.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I’d say knowing what you want and gettin after it, that’s pretty damn successful.
The failures along the way will become lessons and rest of the time you’ll be doing what you love. To figure these things out and chase them relentlessly, to me equals success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lordbuffalo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamalsaid/
Image Credits
www.billmccullough.com
