How This Guy Turned a Dead-End Job into a Grammy-Worthy Music Career

It wasn't that Mizoguchi was unhappy, but I somehow always felt disconnected with the career that I was pursuing. I felt like I was pushing myself towards something I couldnt be the best at or even feel passionate about. But Mizoguchi stuck it out, believing it was the only way for him to make a living.

At 31, after having his first child with his then-wife, Mizoguchi and his family headed to the United States because Japans high work ethic and expectations had turned his life into nothing but work. I knew that people [in the U.S.] cared way more about work/life balance, and are generally more open to career changes," he says.

Despite hoping things would be easier, it was difficult for Mizoguchi to get settled. Until you move to a completely different country, you never really realize the luxury of having small, familiar things in daily life like having your favorite grocery stores nearby," he says. "So in the first year [in a new country], you put all your energy into just to being able to feel like you're a normal person again.

But over time, things started to change. The best example of that was his ability to start creating and sharing his passion for music.

In the early 10s, when he was about 35 years old, Mizoguchi found SoundCloud. Digital music streaming services made it possible for artists like me to independently post music, and connect with fans directly, without having to belong to a record label. He uploaded his musicelectronic music infused with hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, rock, and popunder the moniker starRo.

Mizoguchi used the streaming website to reach out to other artists, and create his own musical community. He still didnt know many people in Los Angeles, outside of his tech job. So he connected with artists from all over the world.

It allowed me to be a part of a new ecosystem of young upcoming artists across the world, many of which made it to the mainstream. Its how he connected with Chance The Rapper, Anderson Paak, Bryson Tiller, and Gold Link.

His energy into building community worked. Over two years, he grew his followers from about a hundred to 5,000. Thats when Mizoguchi caught the attention of music labels and management firms.

Mizoguchi started making money from music production, touring, and DJing. Two years later, he was still working his tech job, ran a small music-related business, and making money from his own music.

He was the only source of income for his family (now with three kids), and had to make sure his music would pay as much as his day job had. At 39, he fully committed to music.

While it was a dream come true for him to be creating music day in and day out, he says the transition from stable jobs wasnt easy. As an artist, you have no constant income flowing into your bank account from your employer. You need to be way more disciplined about how you manage your time, because you can easily end up doing nothing, and yet nobody will warn you.

There were times when Mizoguchi felt mentally exhausted, too, having to continue to make music when he thought he was out of inspiration.

But Mizoguchi credits these hardships as shaping him: They helped make me mentally and spiritually stronger than ever."

And it paid off. At 41 years old, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording for Heavy Star Movin (starRo Remix)

Now, with 65,0000 followers on SoundCloud, and a Grammy nom to his name, Mizoguchis goals are simple: I just want to keep making music for the rest of my life, because thats what makes me happy.