Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriel Da Rosa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Gabriel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

This is not my very fist Dollar earned as a creative story. But It’s a good one.

I’ve moved to US in 2014, my first apartment was right behind the Chinese theater, so basically in the heart of Hollywood. Me and my band mates at the time figured we could make some money busking on Hollywood boulevard. So we did.
We were there jamming, earning a little cash, playing around with the figures (Batman, Jack Sparrow, Spiderman and Etc). Then out of the blue Jimmy Kimmel’s producer, in one of our very first appearances on the boulevard, comes up to us and ask how much would we want to stop playing for an hour. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, if I was offended, if we were that bad, or what was going on.

So I came to understand they were shooting one of those interviews on the streets and our music was getting on the way. So they offered us $100, we were so broke, we took it. Bought a 30 pack of cheap beer, went back to our tiny apartment and got hammered. I’d ask for way more than that if was today.

First and only time that someone offered me money to stop playing, and I’m planning on keeping that way.

Gabriel, 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 got into music at the age of 13. Long story short I broke a leg skateboarding, finally picked up a guitar that I had collecting dust in my room and started to learn punk songs that I liked to listen while skateboarding. After that I fell in love with playing music, many bands after, I had the urge to do my own project, and after many years living in America I realized I wanted to go back to my roots and play Brazilian music. I felt that was the only way I could really be in touch with who I am and that’s the only way I could feel like I’m leaving some sort of legacy. Even that it’s just for myself.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Definitely the connection that exists between audience and performer. Or when someone connects deep with your art, music on this case. I think theres no better feeling for me than seeing someone absolutely enjoying themselves during a performance. I make music to see those reactions, to see all kinds of people, happy, sad, struggling, going thru ups and downs in their personal life but putting everything on the side in that exact moment, when the music hits. I just love that.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There is this documentary series that I found not so long ago. It’s about the GIl Family, the famous Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil at 80 years of age, put a band together consisted of only members of his family, from sons and daughters, their significant other to grand sons and grand daughters. I thought that was magnific. Starts with them putting the idea together and everyone is picking a song to add to set list from the immense collection of songs that Gilberto Gil wrote in life. After that, they go on a European tour. I loved to see little moments of that brilliant mind, and how he thinks about music and specially poetry. What a legend.

It’s called at “Home with the Gils.” then after that is “On the road with the Gils”. Totally worth it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Gabrieldarosa
• Youtube: @gabrieldarosa_

Image Credits
Pic by Andre Bernardes