We pride ourselves on the success of our students. We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to success stories, so we love to highlight our student’s accomplishments. This month, we spotlight pointblank LA student, Geovanni Araujo (GEONI). A Mexican musician, producer, and songwriter specialising in psychedelic electronic music.
1. Welcome back to pointblank, we love catching up with alumni. For those that don’t know, which program did you do in LA?
Thank you! I did the Music Production and Audio Engineering Diploma in 2023.
2. What was your experience learning with us?
I think that going to PBLA was the best decision I have made so far. I remember the very familiar atmosphere, everyone greeting each other, helping, collaborating and learning. I also remember the PBLA staff fondly in and out of class. There was Tom, Dave, Sergio, Jay, Tadashi, Adal, and Jordan – I would like to say all the names but the list would be long. The best analogy to describe my experience would be “learning in an aquarium full of knowledgable fish that passes their expertise to a new fish”.
3. You just got signed to PHISICA! How did you land the opportunity and how does it feel?
Yes, I feel very happy!
When I was in LA, I was asked to make an EP of a genre I had never done before for my portfolio class in pointblank. During my spare time, I came across a genre called “Indie Dance” which led me to discover a record label called PHISICA on Beatport. I thought to myself, “A Mexican record label with Mexican artists in the Top 100 Best Indie Dance DJs on Beatport?” – it blew my mind! Releasing a number 1 track with them as a Mexican DJ was an inspiring goal to achieve. So I took the opportunity to experiment with the EP and immersed myself in Indie Dance. Little by little, I finished the EP and published it as my first EP venturing into that world.
I felt so comfortable in that genre that I decided to send the demo to PHISICA called “Juego Elemental” (Elemental Game). One week later, I went to one of their concerts called “RETI of PHISICA”, and met the artists I idolised in Mexico, including BadWolf, Adrian Bluper and W.O.L.F. (César Capistran). During the concert, I spoke to César about sending a demo and he promised to listen to it.
The following week, I sent him my demo again and luckily, César responded with great feedback. After implementing his advice, I handed the demo again and he said yes! In fact, he told me to do two more songs (which I finished in a week) and I finalised the mix using my class notes from my Art Of Mixing module in PBLA. With my notes and César’s advice, it took at least 5/6 months to reach the professional level that was required. My EP will now be released first with “Rave En Tu Idioma” by W.O.L.F.
After almost a year, I can present work that was created with so much love and effort. It is very gratifying. It is a dream to be in the same house where many of my Mexican idols are breaking the Indie Dance music scene.
GEONI with W.O.L.F (César Capistran)
4. What’s your EP about?
The EP is a journey when you meet a person. “Esta Noche” is the courtship, to go out and meet this person on a fleeting night. The song “En Tu Mente” is when the courtship continues with this person, and you as the protagonist, know that the other person also wants to be with you, so you take advantage of that feeling so that both of you have a good time in the middle of the party. “Juego Elemental” is the last song on the EP. It’s when you now want that person away from you, but at the same time, it’s very exciting to see that tension between the two of you. You know when there’s so much noise you don’t hear but when there’s silence you only hear that person? That’s when the elemental game begins. It’s a game where they don’t know if it’s because of passion, fun, pride or destiny that made them want to be together.
5. Who were your inspirations growing up?
My inspiration since I started in music has been Jim Morrison for his way of seeing poetry in music. Also rock bands like Metallica, The Doors, and Pink Floyd. You’re probably saying, “But why can’t you feel the inspiration”? Well, I’m at a point where I want to learn everything on this side of Indie Dance and what better than with the best who are physical? Wait for my album in 2025…”The Legitimate Son Of A Rockstar.”
6. How did pointblank help you with your musical journey?
When I was in PBLA, I arrived as an aspiring musician, very shy, with ideas of what to do, but I didn’t know how to express everything I had. I entered PBLA and they helped me learn how to 100% use Ableton for mixing, mastering, recording, and music business. Even my self-esteem went up because of PBLA and I became a different person. The video below showcases me using pointblank studios!
7. Any business/social media/networking advice to prospective students?
Don’t be afraid to be different, to be yourself, but be consistent with who you are and what you do. If your personality is explosive, explode into art! If your personality is shy, don’t feel bad, that’s what we have art for, to do something with love that helps us first.
And if you really love music, learn, grow, ask, listen, get going and welcome to the Rock N Roll game. Many say they want to be at the finish line, but what if the path is the goal? And if the path is long, all the better! You need the willpower to overcome problems and know how to let go of things, options and even people in order to continue on your path. Are you willing to do that?
8. Any future projects you’d like to share with us?
I just founded my record label “Above the Noon” which is for artists with a lot of love, talent, and above all passion! We are on all platforms including Beatport. I have also been working for over a year on a very special album “The Legitimate Son Of A Rockstar” that I will release in 2025 – this being my biggest work and I am very excited to share it with the world.
Thank you, PBLA, for being a family to me, even though I left a year ago. If I had to repeat my life, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to go to PBLA to be able to relive all the moments I had. Thank you for the space!
Successes such as these are common among our students and alumni. We can teach you how to DJ or produce music like the best of them at any of our schools. If you’d like to learn how to produce, then we can build your skills from the ground up with our range of courses. For more information, you can contact us here.
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