My creative journey began at home with a modest cassette tape recorder. It was a humble 4-track player, and while its sound quality didn’t shine like a polished gem, it marked the beginning of a transformative period in my life. As the world transitioned from analog to digital, studios buzzed with activity, driven by the promise of faster, more efficient music production through computers. I watched this transformation with keen interest, sensing the change in the air. Soon, I decided to take the plunge.
My first step into the digital realm involved installing a sound card into my brother’s computer mainboard. With his help, we explored the magic of recording with a microphone, diving into this new creative canvas. While I wasn’t a tech enthusiast, the allure of this uncharted territory beckoned me.
During our experimental sessions, I made a minor error while recording chords. It was my brother who revealed the power of the new medium, saying, “You know, we can cut this section and move it.” At that moment, it felt as if a door had swung open to a world of infinite possibilities.
With newfound determination, I bid farewell to my trusted analogue tape recorder, saving every penny for the ultimate dream – a computer. It became my ticket to weaving digital magic like never before.
I am Pablo, and my story begins in the vibrant heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on a sunny September day in 1978 – springtime. My family’s roots trace back to immigrants. My father’s upbringing was steeped in the traditions of a Greek immigrant family. Remarkably, he hadn’t uttered a word of Spanish until his first day of school.
My grandfather, a visionary in his own right, had sought a fresh start away from Europe. He journeyed to the United States and then Canada, but destiny led him to Argentina, where the gentle climate came with a lot of promises. He brought the rest of the family to this new land of possibilities.
On the other side of my family tree, my maternal lineage traced its origins to Spain. Two young people were drawn to Argentina, where their paths intertwined, leading to the birth of my mother.
Life was a perpetual tug-of-war for my parents, both from modest backgrounds. In Argentina, economic crises would periodically unfurl, bringing chaos, riots, and uncertainty. It was an era when people fought against starvation and despair, and at one point my family would have enough of it all.
In the midst of economic turmoil, my father decided it was time to chart a new course. When I was just eleven years old, we packed our lives and journeyed back to Greece.
Athens became my new playground. My family zigzagged through the city, changing neighborhoods every couple of years. Making lasting friendships proved challenging, as we needed resilience to adapt to new surroundings. The initial days posed a linguistic puzzle, but gradually, the Greek language wove its threads into my life. Greece offered economic stability, a cherished respite after the struggles in Argentina. With its rich history and culture, Athens welcomed us, yet I always felt like a visitor, not entirely Greek.
Drawing upon my maternal grandfather’s skills, my father worked as a painter and handyman. My summers were spent alongside my father, absorbing the secrets of his trade. I became a sponge, soaking in the art of painting, drywall installation, metal welding, and even the dramatic act of tearing down walls. Academics, however, proved to be a tumultuous sea where I often found myself adrift.
In Greece, the three years of middle school cast a wide net of subjects, covering math, physics, and languages. It was a shared journey that all students had to take. But it was the final three years that offered the compass to navigate and even determine our future.
Given my academic challenges, my path led me to a technical vocational high school. There, I specialized in production engineering, diving into the intricate world of factory tools. It was a unique environment, a mix of knowledge and occasional mischief.
Most of my classmates were in their 20s, while I was just fifteen. Some had abandoned education, others grappled with drug-related issues, and many came from troubled, low-income families. The diversity was as colorful as it was enlightening, with some even carrying the weight of guns to school – an experience that opened my eyes to the complexities of life.
While my heart initially gravitated toward fine arts, a love for music surged within me. The rhythms of life at home, where my mother sang semi-professionally, were impossible to resist. In one memorable summer, I saved every hard-earned cent from my summer job with my father to purchase my first quality guitar. Lessons with a skilled teacher followed.
Music became more than a passion; it became my refuge. It was a way to distance myself from the tumultuous world of high school, where I sometimes rubbed shoulders with those heading down a wayward path. I began to form connections with fellow music enthusiasts and kindred spirits who shared my devotion.
Before even completing high school, I was in a band, where music flowed like a river. It was a blissful time, but as my bandmates departed for universities, our harmony faded into an echo.
After graduation, I went to a conservatory, immersing myself in the study of piano, singing, and music theory. It was within those hallowed walls that I unearthed my true calling – music production. With newfound clarity, I enrolled in a college specializing in music production and sound engineering. It was a three-year bachelor’s degree program that promised to open doors to my dreams. Regrettably, financial constraints and the complexity of an English-taught curriculum posed formidable obstacles. Nevertheless, I forged ahead, venturing deeper into the world of music.
As a student, I took on a role as an assistant in recording studios – a position that offered me more than a glimpse behind the curtain. My duties encompassed cleaning and brewing teas and coffees, but I also had the privilege of immersing myself in the intricate art of music production. The early 2000s were a whirlwind of innovation and experimentation, a time that etched unforgettable melodies in my heart.
My intention was to complete my mandatory military conscription and then continue my academic pursuits. However, life unfurled an unexpected chapter. I found myself serving 16 months in the Air Force, specializing in radar service and encrypted communications. The period was a mixed experience – challenging, yet profoundly enriching. Still, the duration felt too long.
After my military service, I was thrust into the maze of job hunting. It was a time of integration, a quest to adapt to a different rhythm of life. I scoured newspapers for opportunities, and one day, I stumbled upon an advertisement that felt like a tailor-made position for me. It sought individuals with a unique blend of music and computer knowledge. I submitted my application and secured my first formal job.
The company specialized in creating non-stop music services and crafting playlists. My role involved ripping CDs, converting melodies into compressed formats, tweaking tracks with precision, fine-tuning sound levels, and meticulously categorizing files. It was an interesting project, a prelude to the era when internet speeds were not yet good enough for streaming audio content. We implemented a hardware solution that seamlessly intertwined with sound systems to play music all day long with a press of a button.
I dedicated two and a half years to this endeavor, a time when music enveloped my every breath. Yet, an unexpected chord change awaited me as I decided to leave the comfort of my job and aim for the stars in the United States.
The plan was simple – I would venture to the USA to carve a path into the heart of the music industry. However, the reality was far different. Armed only with a tourist visa, I arrived in the land of dreams and took refuge with some family friends. The initial chapters of my American tale were more about survival than passion. I began with jobs that bore no resemblance to my musical aspirations, cleaning roofs and painting houses. The first six months were a series of challenges, each day with new obstacles to overcome.
Yet, I persevered, eventually securing my own gigs, and hiring fellow Latin American immigrants, all of us burdened by the absence of proper documentation. I would secure deals for house painting, delegating the conventional work to my crew, while I focused on the artistic aspect of my craft. Drawing inspiration from my father and grandfather’s techniques, I transformed ordinary columns into marble-like masterpieces, adding delicate floral motifs to corners. It was a well-paying encore.
To preserve my tourist visa status, I would occasionally fly back to Greece for brief interludes, ensuring that I didn’t overstay my welcome in the USA. Then, I would return with a fresh visa, ready to carry on with the mission. In due course, I managed to secure a position at a music studio, working there during the evening hours. The days brought stints at construction sites, a prelude to my musical evenings.
This chapter in my life unfolded in 2006, culminating in my deportation in late 2007. One time I took on a journey to Greece and attempted to re-enter the USA, American immigration authorities grew suspicious of my work activities, and they denied me entry. As I reflect on my time in America after all these years, it was an experience woven with both pain and pleasure. The impact of deportation was heavy – a shock that still lingers in my heart.
Back in Greece, I resumed my previous job, finding solace in the familiarity of routine. They welcomed me back with open arms, recognizing my technical acumen. Soon after, they entrusted me with sales responsibilities, opening the door for me to learn the art of salesmanship.
Yet, my heart yearned for a change, for a new rhythm in my life. So, I decided that I would pack my dreams and leave Greece one more time. This time I headed for Germany.
The irony wasn’t lost on me as I recalled a high school teacher’s advice. He had urged me to study diligently, pass my exams, and master the German language, all while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. His vision was for me to find a well-paying job in Germany as a mechanical engineer, and although I had dismissed it back then, life had a different plan for me.
A mere month after a job interview, I found myself walking new streets in Bavaria. I secured a role as a salesman at an e-shop specializing in musical instruments and audio equipment. It was a position that struck a chord with my passion, aligning perfectly with my educational and professional background.
Thirteen years have passed since I embarked on this chapter, and I’ve come to a profound realization. Music isn’t merely about making a living; it’s about bringing value to the world, touching hearts, and assisting those who need a guiding tune. After more than two decades of determination, I’ve finally fulfilled a long-standing dream in recent years – to create a fully functional home studio.
Each step, from the humble cassette tapes to my current role in Germany, has brought me closer to music. As I continue to evolve, I’m determined to share this enchantment with others, to help them discover their own unique melodies, and to make music an integral part of their lives, just as it has been in mine.
Timeless Town 