Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Carlos Vara

Nashville-based artist Carlos Vara is a new voice in the industry whose journey will resonate with any listener. From a young age, he’s overcome his share of adversity, and channeled those experiences into his storytelling. His sophomore single, “Confident”, is an infectious tune about silencing your insecurities. Pop Culturalist caught up with Carlos to chat about his career and “Confident”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music? When did you decide to pursue it professionally?
Carlos: I’ve always been surrounded by music. My mom’s very musical…actually, her whole family is. When I was a kid, my parents were nightclub owners, and I remember I would fall asleep in the club’s VIP room while people were partying and would be surrounded by the music playing in there. When I turned seven, my parents became pastors. They changed their life and did a 180. Then, I grew up in the church and got involved with music there.

In high school, I developed my passion for writing; I wanted to be an author when I grew up. I was always a writer and excited about music. Around fifteen or sixteen, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I have Tourette’s and it got really bad. I had to leave school for an entire year, and I didn’t have anything to do but play on my little keyboard and sing karaoke on YouTube.

PC: Who or what would you say has had the biggest influence on your career?
Carlos: I would say having to leave school for a year and just being by myself. I pretty much lost control of my body—I didn’t have any idea what was going on. I was in my room with no one or anything but myself and a piano. I had to figure out my feelings at the piano and just write. It became my refuge. It’s there that I discovered music that I hadn’t listened to before like Freddie Mercury, George Michael, and Janis Joplin. Those influences had the biggest impact on me because they were musicians who had messages in their music; you can feel the emotion when you listen to them sing. I knew I wanted to create something special like that!

PC: You just released a new single, “Confident”. What was the inspiration behind that track?
Carlos: I still can’t believe it’s out…I have actual music out now! In the past year, I spent two or three months in Los Angeles just writing. I was in West Hollywood with all my friends and it was my first time being able to get into clubs. Everyone is freaking beautiful there. I was like, “Wow, I don’t fit in.” It was also my first experience in the gay scene. I came out when I was nineteen and have never been in an area like WeHo. I’m naturally very insecure and have the “don’t look at me” type of vibe. But then, I got this high, maybe from a substance, and I became super confident. A friend of mine was like, “Wow, you look so confident. I love how you walk into the room and stuff.” I remember thinking if he only knew. When I got back to my AirBNB, I wrote a really sad verse, “It feels good to be confident,” which describes the scene that night. I had a session a few days later and I wanted to share what was in my heart and that situation.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead in 2019? Can we expect more music? Maybe a tour?
Carlos: Yes to all of the above! I’ll be releasing new music and an EP, and there will be more singles out very, very, very soon. There will be music videos, touring—I want to do it all. I’m super excited. I’ve told all my friends I feel like the Latino Cinderella. A year ago, I was working at a breakfast restaurant. It feels surreal to be able to do this full time.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Carlos: The biggest lesson that I’ve learned is to be confident in yourself…I mean, “Confident”. I’m so corny. It’s easy to compare yourself to another artist, but I think the biggest lesson that I’ve learned is not to do that. Pour your heart out into your music, make music that you love, and don’t think about what other people are doing. Support your friends, everyone’s careers, and support yourself.

PC: Is there anything that you can tease about the upcoming EP?
Carlos: I don’t want to give away too much, but the last song on the EP means a lot to me. I think it’ll be the EP’s name. It encompasses my entire emotion behind this journey of coming into my own, coming into adulthood, and finding myself through a lot of pain, honesty, and mental anguish. The EP will really explain me and my story.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Carlos: Last night, for some reason, I was listening to Hannah Montana. I don’t know why. Let me check my playlist…”About You Now: by Miranda Cosgrove!

PC: First album that you ever bought?
Carlos: It was like a Christian worship CD. I would rock out to that every day on my way to school.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Carlos: Matt Corby’s Into the Flame! He’s a really colorful, organic musician. I remember listening to his whole collection of work and having it change how I saw music. I grew up super religious in church, so I was only surrounded by church music. Listening to Matt’s music was the first time that I realized I didn’t have to go to church to find that same connection. I can make music about my everyday life. I can make whatever I want and feel that emotional pull in my heart.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Carlos: I mean, of course, big ones like Madison Square Garden, but right now, I’d love to perform at The Ryman in Nashville. It used to be the Grand Ole Opry, which is a really special place that people in this town look forward to playing one day. It’s a huge honor to perform there.

To keep up with Carlos, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Confident” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.