Daily Inspiration: Meet Jonathan De La Torre

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan De La Torre

Hi Jonathan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
First off, Thank you! I’m glad to be able to share my story with Kansas City. I have been surrounded by music since I was a young boy. When I was 6 or 7 years old, I remember my uncle playing in a band and hearing all the different sounds, and at about 9 or 10 years old one of my cousins from my dad’s side gave me my first electric guitar. I was really into Queen when I was a young teen. My mother got me a karaoke machine around that time and somehow I figured out how to plug in my guitar and record my guitar solos over a Queen CD onto a cassette tape. I think that’s when I started to take an interest in music. I wanted to be a rockstar… at that time.

Then came high school, and I started to branch out and listen to music that wasn’t just my parent’s Mexican music that I grew up listening to all the time. I used to go to a lot of EDM concerts at the Midland with my friends and being at those shows inspired me to want to be up there on the stage myself and then my new goal was to be an EDM DJ. I got a job, saved my money, and bought myself my first DJ Board, a Pioneer DDJ t-1. I had no idea what I was even doing, but I was playing local shows, and shortly after graduating from high school in 2013, I got a spot at a music festival called Dancefestopia. As I grew as an artist/DJ, one of my friends suggested I go by “Of The Tower’ which is my last name in English. I became known as OTT or Jon Of The Tower.

For a couple of years, I kept DJing and did all sorts of parties and events but along the way, I met more friends and they introduced me to the Hip Hop scene in Kansas City. That is when I got my start as a Hip Hop Producer, and no longer was I working alone but working with a variety of artists. I learned how to start recording vocals and fine-tuning my skills as a Music Engineer. Eventually, in 2018 those skills landed me with an opportunity to work and live in California. During that time, I got to work with talented professionals who created music in the coolest studios. Since my sound at the time was wavy and chill, it made sense to change my stage name to Offshore, and since then that’s been my producer moniker.

After 2 years in California, I moved back to Kansas City, and I knew that I wanted to do more with the artists I knew here. I set up shop and started offering studio sessions. Local producers and artists helped me establish myself and make connections as a Music Producer in the Kansas City music scene. As of today, people can catch me in my home recording studio in downtown KCMO.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most artists, no matter the medium, know to be an artist is to struggle. My challenge is to be vulnerable. Music helps me to express myself in an authentic and vulnerable way. I struggled for the longest time to find people that I actually enjoyed working with. I wasn’t in it for the money, and it was always to make good music with good people.

Learning to say “No” has been one of my obstacles. Even though I enjoy making music with my friends, I found it stressful to find the balance of work and art especially when trying to make that transition into a full-time creative professional . Besides the common financial struggles of artists, separating making a profit and pursuing my passion reminds me to make sure I am creating with purpose.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make music in all types of ways. I love making beats, writing music, and being creative. I spend most of my time messing around with Ableton, FL Studio, and Pro Tools. Depending on what kind of song determines which DAW I will be using. I spent some time getting to know all the different software to easily express my ideas without hesitation. I started as an EDM DJ, then I became a Music Producer. Currently, I am known as a Producer/Engineer.

I am most proud of my recent placement on NBC’s Bel-Air. I created a song with long-time friend and music collaborator, Jooby Truth. About a year ago, we got word that our song was going to be used in an episode of Bel-Air. It was a huge opportunity and accomplishment that we finally realized last month, which was my birthday month. Check it out on YouTube or Bel-Air Season 3 Episode 8. What sets me apart from most people is that I love to make genuine connections with people. Besides the music, I enjoy just being able to be around creative people, whether they make clothes, draw, or edit videos. I find myself dabbling in a bit of everything, and I am eager to learn more.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I know artists in their early days are concerned about how they will be looked at or judged for what they produce, but that shouldn’t be the focus point. Progress is super important to me because I love listening to old work and thinking, “Wow, I was pushing boundaries” or “Whoa, that sucked.” Looking back on my journey, I can see where I have been and what I have done, and I see how I am shaping as an artist to reach my goals
When facing a roadblock, be patient. Do not let others push you away from what resonates with you. Always surround yourself with solid people and good energy. It is all about where and what you put yourself into that influences you and your art. Don’t spread yourself thin, because it can be easy to do that with the infatuation of being famous and rich.
With that, I am grateful for this opportunity to share my story and inspire other artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/offshorex2
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offshorex2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/offshorex2
• Twitter: https://x.com/offshorex2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@offshorex2
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/offshorex2
• Other: https://traktrain.com/offshorex2

Image Credits
Natalie Leslie