Voyage Austin Magazine : Life & Work with Erick Bohorquez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erick Bohorquez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? Where do I start, well I studied music business and Spanish at The University of Texas at Austin and Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. While I was a student at UT, I landed a coveted internship for Elektra/Atlantic Records. That’s where I got my first taste of the business. After I graduated, I moved to LA, where I worked in promotions at Elektra Records. At Elektra we broke artists like Jason Mraz and Jet. Eventually, I moved back to Austin, TX where I landed the role as Regional Manager of Marketing and Promotions at Island/Def Jam Records, where I was the go-to person for managing Universal Music Group artists. At Def Jam, we took Rihanna’s “SOS”, Ne-Yo’s “So Sick,” and Mariah Carey’s “Don’t Forget About Us” to #1. My love for music is what got me to where I am today. I purchased my first guitar when I turned 15, but I remember being drawn to the sounds of the guitar when I was only five years old. I taught myself how to play and eventually, in the summer of 2006 I began playing club shows with a reggae dub band called Don Chani. Throughout my 10+ years performing with the band, I was lucky to have opened shows for The Wailers, Ziggy Marely, Lee Scratch Perry, Yellowman, Culture, Pepper, The Skatalites, Luciano, and many more.

In 2014, I co-founded Colombian funk group Superfónicos. Some of the best times of my life have been playing with the band. I have been super fortunate to check so many memorable accomplishments off my personal bucket list – like performing at Austin City Limits Festival and becoming a member of the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter. When I wasn’t playing gigs, I was working full time as a music programmer curating playlist for major brands like Footlocker, Hard Rock Hotels, McDonalds and Macy’s. I am most recently advising companies on experiential programs and marketing strategies to help build brand engagement and loyalty. I have also been having a ton of fun creating jingles for brands.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road? I’ve definitely had my fair share of some bumps along the way. I would say that when pursuing nearly all of my goals, I’ve been met with some form of rejection. Despite the hundreds, if not thousands, I have had some memorable “yes’s” along the way. I’ve never needed much affirmation to keep me dreaming big. My creativity is the cornerstone to my success – any time I hit a roadblock, I am inspired to find a new approach or change old patterns until I accomplish my goal.. One of the hardest struggles for me was losing my father when I was a sophomore in college. That experience made me grow up a little faster. However, I will say that that experience gave a different view on life, and I think was for the better.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do? I’ve been knee-deep in the music industry for well over 18 years now with personal experience not only as a musician, but the business side as well. My professional experience ranges from music programming, talent marketing and promotion, artist management, to show advancement. I’m very proud to have co-founded the Colombian funk band Superfonicos and all the success we’ve had so far. We’ve had a chance to record with some amazing producers like Jim Eno of Spoon, Grammy winners Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Studio (Black Pumas), and Beto Martinez’s Leche House Studio (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Money Chicha). We’ve also been featured on Billboard, Rolling Stone, NPR, KCRW’s Pan Caliente and many more. I think I felt most proud when accepting a $20,000 grant from Black Fret on the Moody Theater stage. For me, it was a culmination of all the hard work we had put in up until that point. That was a sweet moment. I think what sets me apart is that I have a multi-faceted view of the music business. I know what it’s like to be a musician and everything that comes with it or without… i.e. money… haha I also understand the business side of artist development and promotion having worked for companies like Warner and Universal Music Group.

What were you like growing up? Growing up I was a silly little kid. Always getting into something and lucky I made it out alive now looking back. I’ve loved music since I was a wee lad though. I would watch MTV for hours on end. It started with my father who played the organ. He also had a fantastic vinyl collection, so there was music always playing in the house. If you were to see me at age five you’d see me running around the house with a plastic guitar trying to rock out.