Gabriel’s Interview

1. Career Path:

Interviewer: Your journey from being a club DJ to a sought-after music producer and mix engineer is fascinating. Can you walk us through some pivotal moments or decisions that shaped your career path?

Gabriel: These seem like separate careers but in my mind they all stem from the same obsession, music. Collecting vinyl, finding obscure music, and wanting to share that music, led me into DJing. Then from DJing, I was able to get myself into recording studios and started experimenting with production. That led to learning more about arranging music, music theory, recording, etc. Then in my journey to achieve the sound I was looking for, it made me dive deeper into the science of sonics, which is how I became a mix engineer.

2. Work-Life Balance:

Interviewer: In a fast-paced industry like music production, maintaining work-life balance is essential for sustainable success. How do you prioritize self-care and relaxation, perhaps by enjoying a glass of your favorite drink after a long day of work?

Gabriel: You’re 100% right! Time management is actually the topic of my next book. This has been my biggest struggle, and I’m starting to feel like I’m finally getting a grip on it. Besides my career, I’m also a father, a husband, and a believer. So making time for family, making time for God, while juggling this hectic career has been difficult to say the least. I find the key is taking care of yourself. Mental, physical, and spiritual health is vital. So that’s what I prioritize now. Nothing will be right if your mind, body, and spirit are not okay. So what does that look like? Getting proper sleep, making time to pray and read scripture, and eating better. I used to go much harder with drinking, especially in nightclubs. But that was one of the things that was having a heavy impact on my health, so I slowed down a lot. These days, I could end the day with a glass of red wine. Usually Chianti or Pinot Noir. As far as brands, there’s a lot of good ones out there.

3. Staying Innovative:

Interviewer: With placements on major labels like Universal and Sony, and collaborations with international stars, what strategies do you employ to stay innovative and relevant in an ever-evolving music industry?

Gabriel: I stay focused on why I started this journey in the first place. My mindset is always, what’s the future of sonics, and where is music going next? That same curious kid that was spending hours in record shops looking for obscure vinyl and interesting sounds, not much has changed. I’ve always been a weird kid listening to sounds from all over the world. These are exciting times because now with Spotify and the internet, the rest of the world is actually catching up. Sounds that used to be regional are now global, which is why you see the Latin and African explosion of music.

4. Drink of Choice:

Interviewer: Finally, if we were to raise a toast to celebrate your accomplishments, what would be your drink of choice, and is there a story or significance behind it that resonates with your journey as a CEO of sound?

Gabriel: CEO of sound, I like that! I’ve celebrated with champagne a lot, but I honestly can’t drink champagne cause it makes me sick, haha. If I get a bottle of my choice, it’s always brown liquor. I can do cognac, bourbon, but it’s typically whiskey. Irish whiskey to be exact. I actually love Jameson or Tullamore Dew. My manager actually introduced me to 4 Roses recently too. I like that as well. If you feel like spending a little extra money, Blue Label is always great too. As far as a story attached to these liquors? YES, all of them! I’ve spent all my adult years in nightclubs or recording studios, so there’s hundreds of stories.