Meet Cipriano Ortega | Two string bassist, Singer, Poet and Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cipriano Ortega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cipriano, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by life’s despair and harsh realties. I am also inspired by my limitations. There are moments in ones life when you are greeted by despair and for me; all I can do in response is to make noise. A rumble; a low guttural roar. That is what I feel alive in those moments of despair.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Music is my main avenue of creativity. It’s what keeps me most busy. The beautiful thing about music is one can use so many other artistic mediums to elevate it. Film and elements of theater I find myself using in my music. I add an element of cabaret to my music. I love the macabre seductive qualities of it. I’ve heard my music be called seductive and sensual. I draw a lot of my sound from elements of jazz, poetry, punk and blues.

Nothing in life that is easy is worth my time. I am a professional because I have spent the majority of my time refining I do to simply make a living. I am fortunate as of right now to be able to devote the majority of my life to my art forms. When I am not doing my art directly I am doing jobs that maintain my integrity as well as broaden my horizons.

I overcome challenges by using the walls I hit as opportunities to carve a new road from the bricks of those said walls. I see every experience of life as an opportunity to learn.

I would like the world to know that I am aspiring to be as free as I can through my art. True freedom is what this society and many others fear most. To truly be ones self is the biggest challenge of all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If it was my best friend. I would show them Colfax Avenue. I draw a lot of inspiration there. So much of Denver has changed through the years I’ve lived here. Colfax has remained a constant in this city. When I take my best friend to Colfax I would want them to see a certain type of reality many of those who have moved here; choose to not acknowledge. On Colfax there are some hidden gems of the real side of Denver.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to Mark Sandman; Mark Sandman was a Boston based musician in the 1990’s. His biggest claim to fame was forming the three piece band Morphine. Without his innovation I would have not found the instrument that is currently inspiring me most. The two sting slide bass.

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwncTLzP_zhdcPTDdjSe4Tg

Image Credits
Tony Ortega Nick Gutierrez Sylvia Montero