We had the good fortune of connecting with Rodrigo Caraballo-Marin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rodrigo, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It was just the right path for me. I knew I’ve always wanted to be involved in music and share my creative outpour with the public. I just don’t see myself doing anything else. It’s what’s kept me inspired for years and motivated. One day when I was in high school I simply asked myself “what would music sound like if I did it?”

Part of it also has to do with whenever I first attended my first few concerts. James Blake was one of those artists that inspired me to pursue a creative path. I got to see him live in 2016 at the House of Blues in Dallas and I had a very brief “aha” moment during the show and I thought to myself “I want to be up there. I want to be where he is. I want to have a big screen behind me with cool visuals playing while I do my thing. I want to play for a crowd full of people I’ve never met and make them feel things”. Ever since then, I’ve been chasing that dream. It’s been hard and I’ve been through lots of bumps on the road, but I’m slowly but surely making my way there.

After that, the rest is history.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I come from a musical background. I started gaining my experience with music ever since I was little, but I didn’t take it seriously until I got to college and when my dad bought me a keyboard. I waited until college because that was when I had more resources and an idea of what kind of artist I wanted to be. Over time, I developed an interest in un-censored realities and I applied that to my music and photography which is what I work with also. The concept of the human race also interested me. The way they think, communicate, form relationships and do the things they do is a main theme in my work as well as heritage. I come from a Mexican and Argentinian heritage and it’s very important to me to address who I am in my work as well whether it is through music, photography, video installation etc. because I’m interested in inviting my audience into a reality I know.

As far as my music goes, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing. Sometimes I don’t even know what genre my music is. If you were to ask my friends what kind of music I do, they most likely wouldn’t be sure either! I like to leave that up to the listener’s interpretation sometimes. I’ve gotten “chill, atmospheric, and different” from other people. Some people say they could “smoke” to my music which I absolutely love hearing! But when I listen to it I hear jazz, downtempo, ambient, experimental, indie, dreampop, lo-fi, and electronic which leads me to believe that I’m not meant to be categorized under a single genre. I mainly thank my music taste for building the sound I’ve created because I strive to be an artist that stands out. I have eventually come to the realization that I’m making music that I think sounds good. I’m not necessarily trying to be boxed into a category because that’s not who I want to be. To me, as long as I am making something that is connecting with the listeners and leaving them with an impression with something to say about it afterwards, then that’s when I know I doing something right.

I’m mostly excited for where my music could take me. For the past few years of trying to navigate myself as a small independent Latinx artist from Dallas, I’ve learned so much. It was not easy at all and I’d be lying if I said it was. I really didn’t know what I was doing when I first started! When I founded Blue Capricorn in 2018, I hardly knew anyone that was doing what I was doing so it was hard to get people to take me seriously at first since I hadn’t played in front of people and I didn’t have that big of a following. Basically, I was inexperienced with the music scene, BUT I was wanting to get more involved. I overcame those challenges by trying to connect with more local artists and work with local producers even though it took me a few years to feel confident enough to reach out. As an artist, I’ve learned that it really comes down to who you know, not what you know. In the professional music industry, there will be people that will not be interested in helping you. They just won’t. That’s why it’s important to talk to as many people as humanly possible, because the right people will come along eventually. To be honest with you, if I didn’t know certain people right now, I probably wouldn’t be in the position I am now. It took me a long time to find these people that were willing to help me. At first, I didn’t try because I was used to just not getting a response or getting a “this isn’t what we’re looking for”. So it really discouraged me when I first started out. I still even get discouraged today sometimes. But fast forward to now, I’ve learned that it’s tough trying to be your own booking agent, PR person and everything that involves music. Since I didn’t know anyone that could help me with those fields in particular, I decided to try it myself and so I would google a bunch of tips and articles on how to successfully get a concert venue or music blog to take you seriously and be interested in you. Luckily, I was able to connect with a few professional music industry reps and they mentored me and told me things I needed to hear, which had a very profound effect on me.

As far as what I want the world to know about me, I would like the public to know that I’m simply just a guy that loves music. I want them to know that Blue Capricorn is a project that is definitely not for everyone, but for those who are willing to listen to something unique, original, and cool. I not only make music for myself, but for everyone. I’m here to express myself and show everyone what I’m capable of and I hope to keep doing what I’m doing. Stay tuned though! I have so much to share very soon this year 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas has lots of attractions and from my experience, I would definitely share my favorite spots!

To eat: Te Deseo. It’s a super classy + elegant Mexican restaurant with a rooftop bar & courtyard. If you go, I would recommend the fajitas. They ALWAYS hit. The drinks are good too. If you like frozen margaritas, the mango one is really good. Don’t forget to check out the rooftop bar if you can. You’re surrounded by skyscrapers and it’s a really nice view! Most people go there for business meetings, dates, or just to have a classy night out with some friends or family.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken too!! They have the BEST fried chicken I’ve ever had. It’s right in Deep Ellum.

To drink: Dallas has lots of cool places to drink, but Wonderbar is a really dope, interactive bar! Once you go inside, there’s really cool installations and it’s quite colorful. There’s a rooftop bar where people like to chill and hang out with a view of the city.

Tipsy Dallas is also a cool place to drink. The bar itself is very appealing! It feels like you’re in a lounge with a very retro aesthetic.

To visit: I’ve always been a sucker for record stores, so I would say Josey Records. For music nerds like me, I like to shop at this record store in particular since I usually always find something I like or want. They have turntables, CD’s, new vinyls, old vinyls, shirts, books, cassettes, posters etc.

For concert goers, The Bomb Factory! This is my favorite live music venue in Dallas. It’s located in Deep Ellum and it’s by far the biggest venue in Deep Ellum that holds up to 4,000 people. You can usually find me at some shows in there being a fan in the audience. Granada Theatre as well is a cool music venue and one of my favorites! A long time ago it used to be an old movie theatre, but now it’s a music venue where touring bands stop by and do their thing. It’s located in lower Greenville.

Also the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. It’s located right on Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas. The museum is an exhibition of the legacy of John F. Kennedy and all the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. You get to see photographs, historic footage the day of the assassination, and artifacts. You also get to see a museum webcam with a live view of the sixth floor where the sniper was.

Last but not least, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is worth visiting! There’s cool restaurants and bars nearby and there’s a bridge where people like to go on strolls and ride their bikes and whatnot. It’s a sweet spot to go for a walk, hang out with friends, or be romantic with your lover. Go during sunset though! It’s sweet.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a huge support system that I’ll be forever grateful for. Ian Blain being one of them. He’s helped me shape my vision and helped me reach what Blue Capricorn is when it came to mixing and recording. Nacho De La Riega as well who’s been mastering my music for the past year. Without him, I wouldn’t sound the way I do so cheers to him and his brilliant mind. Zeke, for also contributing to the music. Alec too! An incredible sax player that joins me on stage. Without him, the show is mundane to me. And my friends Melissa, Miguel, Stacey, Taylor, Juana, Abbie, Skylar, Elizabeth, Brittani, Maria, Karina, Sarah, Eloy, Brandon, Alex, Laura, Idaly, Anthony, Kailey, Christian, Divianna, Paige, Harold, Miriam and so many others who’ve shown me support by coming out to my shows. You know who you are. My wonderful girlfriend Jessica for supporting all my ambitions and coming to all my shows. Also all the artists I’ve met along the way as well. I am inspired by the willpower and passion they’ve brought to themselves. It makes me want to be better. And my dad who taught me that music was something worth pursuing. Everyone I’ve had the chance to work with too! I’m grateful to them for giving me a chance and for giving me hope. Last but not least, all the people who have listened across the world.

Website: https://www.bluecapricorn.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bluecapricorn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blue_capricorn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecapricorntunes/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxJk_rEbAPBDLppBKK41-Dw/featured

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vSMytUm85sR2euxVbyxTn?si=jwP_aLqYR_ywE5hRcAicGw

Image Credits
Abbie Brown Anthony Durant

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.