FACE OF THE WEEK: Dylan Garcia – Blending Music, Mental Health Advocacy, and a Legacy of Impact

His smooth vocals, combined with emotional storytelling, have made him one of the most compelling artists in the industry. Mentored by diamond-certified, Grammy-nominated producer Ronnie King, and having collaborated with icons such as Chicano rap pioneer DJ Tony G and five-time Latin Grammy winner Kenny O’Brien, Dylan’s artistry has been refined by some of the best in the business.

Dylan has performed at major venues, including the Latin Grammy Music Week showcase, the iconic Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, and the Montclair Canyon Club alongside the legendary funk band Slave. His dedication to mental health advocacy and suicide prevention stems from his own struggles with bipolar disorder and the loss of loved ones to suicide. Dylan uses his music and platform to spread awareness and support those battling similar challenges.

As a self-sufficient artist, Dylan collaborates with composers globally while writing, recording, and engineering his own music. His passion for creating authentic, raw, and powerful music continues to shape his legacy, leaving a lasting impact on the industry and beyond.

 DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS FACE OF THE WEEK

Interview

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I’m Dylan Garcia. I’m the type of person who does what he says he’s going to do. I enjoy challenging myself to see what I’m capable of achieving. I’ve been blessed with the creativity and discipline to express myself through music. I’m a recording artist, songwriter, musician, vocal producer, and mix engineer. I am also a proud advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

What inspired you to pursue your career or business?
I was inspired at a young age. My dad had a great record collection, and I was exposed to a lot of music. On Fridays, we would wash the cars together while listening to the UCSB radio station, which played a lot of funk and R&B music. I remember listening to the radio and saying, “Someday, that’s going to be me.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career/business and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge has been taking care of my mental health. I’ve battled bipolar disorder, and staying balanced while pursuing a demanding career has been difficult. Another challenge is getting the exposure needed to share my music with a wider audience. As an independent artist, you wear so many hats—you have to be knowledgeable, innovative, and resilient.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?
My morning routine shapes my entire day. I start with a biblical devotion, meditate for 15 minutes, read for 30 minutes, and do a minimum of a 20-minute workout. I wake up between 4–5 AM to complete these tasks before heading to work. Knowing that everyone else is still sleeping gives me an advantage to handle whatever the day throws at me.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career/business journey so far?

Be interested instead of trying to be interesting. When you take an interest in others and build authentic relationships, it opens more doors than trying to impress people.

How do you define success?
Success, for me, is having the freedom and capability to pursue something worthwhile without giving up. It’s about being able to sustain my passion for music while leaving a legacy for future generations in my family.

What is your biggest dream, and how are you working towards achieving it?
My biggest dream is to create a legacy with everything I pursue that will take care of future generations in my family. I want to leave something behind that continues to inspire and support my loved ones.

How has your faith or spirituality played a role in your career/business?
Faith is everything to me. It’s about never giving up and believing that everything will work out. Trusting God to guide my steps gives me peace and helps me do good for others.

Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
My dad is my biggest inspiration. He modeled what it means to be a husband, father, and leader. He taught me how to handle criticism and how to look out for myself. The biggest lesson he instilled in me was that not everyone will like my music or me—and that’s okay.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I stay present when I’m with my wife. Being fully engaged and appreciating the time I spend with her keeps me balanced and grounded.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

You have to love it. If you don’t love it, you’ll give up at the first bump in the road. Be prepared to work for 10 years with nothing happening because year 11 could be your breakthrough.

What is something that people often misunderstand about your work/business?
Many people think it’s a get-rich-quick scheme. They don’t realize how much time, effort, and sacrifice it takes to create and sustain a career in music.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work/business?
Performing the music I’ve created and seeing how it impacts others is the most rewarding part. Connecting with people through my art and hearing that my music has inspired them is an incredible feeling.

What is something that you’re passionate about outside of your work/business?
I’m passionate about mental health and suicide prevention because it’s a cause that hits close to home. I want to make a difference by sharing my struggles and victories to give others hope.

What is the most valuable skill you have learned in your career/business?
Having thick skin. This industry requires resilience and the ability to handle rejection without losing sight of your goals.

What is something you wish you knew when you were just starting out in your career/business?
Not everyone is your friend. It took me a while to realize that not everyone has your best interests at heart, and you have to be discerning about who you allow in your circle.

How do you deal with failure or setbacks?
I learn from what went wrong, fix it, and don’t repeat the same mistakes. Setbacks are opportunities to improve and grow.

What is your philosophy in life?

If you mind your business, work hard, do good for people, have faith, and never give up, something amazing is bound to happen.

What is that one life lesson that you learned a little too late?
Nothing good ever comes from drinking alcohol.

What is one thing that you have accomplished that you’re most proud of?
Graduating from UC Irvine is something I’m incredibly proud of. Education has always been important to me, and earning my degree was a huge milestone.

How do you see yourself and your business/career evolving in the future?
I will pivot when necessary. I’m already in discussions about where I want my career to go as a recording artist 10, 20, and 30 years from now.

How do you give back to your community or make a positive impact in the world?
I’ve done public speaking at mental health events and performed for first responders and veterans. I’m passionate about advocating for our veterans and pushing for more resources to support firefighters and police officers.

What is your biggest regret in life?
Doubting myself when people said I’d never make it.

Do you have a favorite quote? What is it?

“If you want to be indispensable, you got to be amazing. May we be so amazing AI can’t replace us.” – Eric Thomas

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Always ask, “Is there someone that you know that I should know as well?” Building connections opens doors.

How do you stay innovative and adapt to changing circumstances in your field?
I stay innovative by taking risks with my music and knowing when to pivot. Quality never dies, and I focus on maintaining high standards in everything I create.

Finally, can you share a funny story or experience related to entrepreneurship that you’ve had?
I used to think I’d be famous after recording my first song. I thought it was going to be easy, and I’d become an overnight success. I didn’t realize that “overnight success” usually takes 10 years. It’s funny looking back now and realizing how much work goes into making dreams a reality.

Dylan Garcia’s dedication to music, mental health advocacy, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him a true inspiration. His journey proves that with faith, resilience, and a passion for making a difference, anything is possible.

ABOUT DIZZYDIDDY+MAG FACES:

“Celebrating Impactful Achievements Across Various Fields”

DIZZYDIDDY+MAG has launched a new initiative called “Face of the Week,” which aims to showcase the achievements of men and women who are making an impact in various fields, including entrepreneurship, entertainment, education, communication, and more. Each week of the year, from January to December, a new face will be introduced to the public through DIZZYDIDDY+MAG’s platform.

Many of these faces of the week will also be honored at the Crownys, which are the DIZZYDIDDY+MAG Awards and where all the faces and people who worked or partnered with DIZZYDIDDY+PLUS will be celebrated. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to give recognition and exposure to individuals who are making a positive difference in their respective fields.

The initiative will culminate with the release of a printed magazine in December for the Face Of The Year.

By highlighting the achievements of these individuals, DIZZYDIDDY+MAG hopes to inspire and encourage others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.