Today we’d like to introduce you to John Cordero
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2020, I was signed as a producer/composer for a sync label in Boston. I had the opportunity to work on projects for major networks like Warner Brothers, ESPN, and the Discovery Channel. While it was an exciting time professionally, I started to feel disconnected from my creative process. I was constantly tasked with producing specific sounds that fit certain briefs, and over time, I felt trapped in a box, creatively and personally. I spent so much time in the studio that I was losing my passion for music.
At a turning point, I decided to pray and ask God for guidance. I specifically asked for three things: clarity, purpose, and direction. Within three days, I received answers to all three prayers. One pivotal moment came during a Bible study when I met a full-time Twitch gamer. We struck up a conversation, and he mentioned that his channel had received two copyright strikes. When I asked how I could help, he jokingly suggested that I create a music library he could use. That idea resonated deeply with me, and within that same week, I began building a team to start what is now Everyday Background Music, a company focused on providing DMCA-free music for streamers and gamers.
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?
It’s been far from a smooth road. During the time I was back in my hometown, I worked as a music teacher at an alternative school where there were daily fights and constant threats. At one point, I almost lost my job several times due to students wanting to fight me. It was an incredibly challenging environment, but I’m not someone who backs down when things get tough. Even though I didn’t love the job, I knew there was purpose in being there, so I pushed through each day.
At the same time, I was playing weddings and using any extra income to fund Everyday Background Music. Some of the biggest struggles have been funding the business, raising awareness, and deciding whether or not to keep going after pouring nearly all of my earnings into it for almost three years. Despite the difficulties, we’ve made incredible progress, pivoting from simply having a music library to securing contracts with major gaming developers like Nintendo and Atari. We now create music for games and commercials, which has been a huge breakthrough for us.
These challenges pushed me to surrender everything to God, especially when things felt overwhelming. They also shifted my mindset as an entrepreneur. I realized that boundaries don’t exist in entrepreneurship—you’ve got to be creative and take chances, even when failure is a real possibility. The freedom to explore new ideas and the willingness to fail is what has allowed me to keep moving forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I often find myself asking this because I have so many passions. At the core, I’m driven by the thrill of building something new and pushing the boundaries of creativity through entrepreneurship, all while staying connected to my first love—music. I am a producer, composer, and musician, and I love collaborating with others to create something special. My work spans a wide range, from writing and conducting for full orchestras to sound designing for EDM tracks, producing pop music, and even playing solo jazz gigs at high-end jazz clubs and speakeasies in New York. I thrive on learning new things and taking on challenges that push me outside of my comfort zone, but no matter the project, I always make sure I give my absolute best.
I specialize in music production. I moved to Nashville in July 2024 with the specific goal of working with more artists on producing their songs. There’s something beautiful about the process of taking someone’s vision—what they hear in their mind—and bringing it to life. As a producer, I feel incredibly blessed to help artists shape their sound and create something truly unique together.
What I’m most proud of is the team that God has led me to build through Everyday Background Music. Our team is global, with members from South Korea to Los Angeles, and we meet weekly to not only collaborate on work but also do life together. I wouldn’t be where I am without the incredible support and talent of each person on this team.
What sets me apart from others is the combination of being a producer, composer, and musician while also embracing entrepreneurship. I’m constantly balancing the business side with the creative, and I love that I get to live at the intersection of both worlds. Whether it’s composing for games or working with gaming developers like Nintendo and Atari, I’m always looking for new ways to grow and expand creatively.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a very diverse city and school district, where the majority of the population was Black and Latino. I had the same group of friends throughout school, but interestingly, I never really attended school dances or events. My friends were only my friends at school; I had no clue of their existence outside of school hours. My parents kept me busy with various programs and activities, and I played football for eight years in a separate league from the public school district, constantly involved in something new. I tried many different sports and activities, hopping from one to the next, figuring out what would stick. My parents were incredible—they supported every passion I had. Even when we couldn’t afford certain activities, they always found a way to make it happen, giving me the chance to try anything I set my heart on.
Although I’m an extrovert—anyone who knows me would say the same—I really enjoy my alone time. Being an only child, I spent a lot of time by myself, especially at home. I walked home alone every day throughout grade school, and I think that solitude shaped a lot of who I am. Looking back, I didn’t really know myself back then, and because of that, I couldn’t fully be my authentic self with others. At that time, I thought I was being authentic, but I was so disconnected from what was happening in school that I had no idea I was graduating in the top 30 of my class or that I had a seat towards the front during the ceremony.
After graduating high school, I attended a local liberal arts school to study jazz. However, I dropped out during my third semester because I felt lost and disconnected. I tried so hard to make friends, but no one in that program truly enjoyed having me around. After dropping out, I started working at AutoZone with one clear plan: to audition for Berklee College of Music. Not only did I get accepted with a scholarship, but I was also offered a spot in their new first-year abroad program. Along with 25 other students, I became a guinea pig student moving to Spain. I could not have anticipated any of that happening back then, but it was perfectly orchestrated. I had to go through specific lessons to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the next season. My time in Spain helped me find myself and gain confidence. That experience led me to find my lifelong friends in Boston. Each of these seasons has truly shaped me into the man I am now. For the first time, I found people who saw me for who I truly was, and I felt genuinely seen and heard. That experience opened my mind in ways I hadn’t imagined and completely changed the trajectory of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/everydaybackgroundmusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=71ce9d58-a2c7-47d0-b375-ec1d6c858946
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmcordero_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnmcordero
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/everydaybackgroundmusic/
