Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Diane Gentile. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Diane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?
This question really doesn’t apply to me. I can’t talk about a job experience that taught me a lesson that could teach that lesson to you. Everyone learns their own lessons in their own way. Life in itself is about learning lessons. I can say, never think you know it all. Always have an open mind. Trust your gut. Be fearless. The cliches are all true, i.e., “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” I am sorry I can’t give you more on this.
Diane, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a songwriter and musician. I perform live, write songs and make records. I got into my industry because it was what I wanted to do. My records are pop rock’n roll songs of all kinds about various subjects. I don’t have clients, I work with musicians, engineers, mixers, masterers, agents, promoters, producers, distributors, and merchandisers. I have my own distinct voice, my own experiences, and feelings that shape my content, and I strive to write as well as those other artists I admire. I am most proud when I write a song I like, like my current single duet with Alejandro Escovedo titled “Walk With Me”. I am most proud of my other 2 singles from my past records “Motorcycle” and “Little Things”. Writing a song and having it composed and recorded in a way that I hear it is a completely pleasurable experience and having people respond positively to the music is an added bonus. I want people to hopefully hear one my songs and relate to the content in their own way, and feel something from it. I would like listeners to know I appreciate their interest in my work, that it comes from a genuine place and takes a great deal of effort to make the work, hence their appreciation of it is meaningful.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Artists have to have people who believe in their work help out. Artists need time to create, not to have to spend hours on promoting their own songs on Spotify or YouTube. Society could help by supporting the artist with a “like” or a “subscribe”, or a download purchase, or coming out to live performances by buying advance tickets. Letting an artist know that the music is appreciated by being proactive is always a giant help for an artist. People generally follow others. When someone bravely states, “I like this”, others might feel they are missing out and sometimes are swayed to get on the bandwagon. Joining the bandwagon is very helpful for an artist. Some people do wonderful things for artists. Some real fans hold house concerts and pay artists good money for this. They are wonderful fans who are proactive, and great people. Sometimes people can help spread the word by sharing the music with their friends and family. The more a listener who gets you, gets behind you, and helps share the music, the better it is for an artist.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I have pivoted my career several times but not out of desire. I had to make a living and didn’t want to leave NYC, a very expensive city to live in if you are creative. So sometimes, you have to take a day job. I have taught English at the Secondary level, I have worked at record labels, I had my own artist management company, I was a GM at a music venue, all in the pursuit of making money to keep a roof over my head that wasn’t the size of a shoe, without having to have a roommate, to put food on my table, to buy a decent guitar and a piano and pay for recording time because I am not tech savy. And at night, I write, read, listen to music and work on my art. I’ve sacrificed many things because my time is spent working most of the time in pursuit of making music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dianegentile.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diane.gentile/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianegentilesongs/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3JxNUOS7ABYb5AoBQGgwcj?si=e0tl3Ok7Q8mhldASUqT3Dw https://music.apple.com/us/artist/diane-gentile/372685455