Not many people can follow their true passion in life and build a fulfilling career out of it. Ernesto Casablanca is one of those fortunate people. He knew from a very early age that music and performing was going to be a true passion in his life as well as a consistent, dominating force. At the mere age of 7, Casablanca started taking voice lessons and dabbled in his first recordings, but it has only been in the last three to four years that his career has really taken off and become a more serious profession for the 24-year-old Mexican native.

“I messed around when I was a kid since there was a guitar in our house. I played more seriously as a teenager though,” recalls Casablanca. Casablanca basically learned the guitar on his own, but more recently has worked with instructor Anthony Vasquez of San Diego.

Born on his grandparents’ ranch in Cotlia De La Paz, Michoacan, Casablanca lived there until he was 6 years old with his parents and two sisters before coming to the U.S. In the U.S., Casablanca grew up mostly in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the last four years, he has split time living between San Diego and Las Vegas.

One of Casablanca’s main musical influences is Marco Antonio Solis, a prominent Mexican musician, who has risen to the top of the Latin Billboard charts in the last two decades, creating a higher level of popularity for Latin music worldwide. Casablanca was so inspired with Solis’ recordings; he devoted his entire debut album to Solis, reworking many of the songs into his own music.

“[The album consists of] re-recorded songs. All of the instrumental and voice are ours. The lyrics are all from Marco (Solis),” explains Casablanca. “This particular CD is really heavy on guitar. There’s a lot of traditional Spanish style acoustic. There are a lot of intense electric guitar riffs,” says Casablanca.

“You’ll find it to be really contemporary. The electric guitar, keyboard, and synthesizer all add a very distinct modern touch. I would say that it is a very contemporary take on his work,” says Casablanca.

Several tracks on “A Tribute to Marco Antonio Solis” have gained popular airtime on many radio stations in Tijuana. Casablanca remains excited about what has happened recently concerning his musical career. “This is the first CD that has really taken off. It’s been a whirlwind in the last few months,” says Casablanca.

Traditional Mexican culture has had a great impact on him and has fostered his development as an artist. “Growing up in a Spanish household there was always music being played,” says Casablanca.

Also, being gay has had an impact on his beliefs and how he approaches life.

“Of course there were issues of guilt at a younger age and I think that is probably typical for most gays. I would say that I have certainly outgrown that,” says Casablanca. “As people progress, the greatest thing they can do is outgrow any feelings of guilt or at least learn from guilt.”

Casablanca realizes the importance of continuing to record albums for his fans to appreciate.

“I will always focus on recording because I think making the music is the most important thing, especially within the Latin culture. I love the idea of being able to reach millions of people’s homes with just a CD.

“With the Latin market, it’s so important to concentrate on distribution so you can actually reach those great lengths to which you have to meet all the fans,” says Casablanca. “When we started to get picked up in that way, it’s just been pretty intense. For one thing, it’s inspired me so much to be in the studio.”

Currently Casablanca is working on his next album. He’s in the studio almost constantly until the middle of December and hoping to do a New Year’s performance at Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego. Only one of the songs on “A Tribute to Marco Antonio Solis” is performed in English, but Casablanca says about half of the songs on the new album will be performed in English.

“The follow-up CD will also be contemporary, and it will be a little more edgy, a little more geared toward hard rock. There will be some ballads, but there will also be a lot of electric guitar.”

Casablanca has many goals in terms of his musical growth. He reflects on how the entire process has changed so much from his earlier recordings to now, and what he will be releasing next.

“My goal as far as music is to continue to improve it. I completely appreciate what the potential for the music is. It’s been very exciting because since the beginning of the recording, the music has grown so much,” says Casablanca.

“I see things in the quality that I didn’t even recognize were possible in music and overall feeling, or how one could feel how they are growing. I would say my goal is just to make the music as awesome as possible and I think we are really on the way toward that,” says Casablanca.

The overall satisfaction of a career and life related to music is one of the things that keeps Casablanca positive and focused on the future.

“I would never like to stay at just one level. I would love to know that in five years I would still be making music. That is the most important thing. There’s a feeling that comes from making music that one doesn’t really know unless they are actually making music,” says Casablanca.

Casablanca hopes that Latino fans specifically can gain insight and confidence through his music. He believes music plays a vital role within Latin culture overall and is a primary means of expression.

“Ultimately I would definitely like to strengthen the mindset and the aspirations of Latin people. I would say for gays in particular, but I would definitely like to improve the aspirations of Latin people…to have a greater level of strength and confidence.”

“With so many [Latin] people being in the U.S. right now, they can sometimes feel a certain level of suppression. I would love to have people overcome that. If nothing else, at least somewhat influenced by my music,” says Casablanca.