We were lucky to catch up with Gabriel Vianello recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

The short answer is yes, making art and being creative will always bring me happiness. For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for creating things—not just music, but also visual art, videos, anything. The act of creating something that could have only been made by me, and actually being proud of it, gives me a rush unlike anything else in life. That feeling will never get old.

However, as I’ve begun taking music seriously as a career, I’ve realized that the creative aspect is only a small part of what’s necessary in finding success. Anyone trying to make a name for themselves will learn that many different hats have to be worn in order to get to where they want to be, especially when first starting out.

That has been the biggest challenge for me, and there are often moments of self-doubt and questions like “Is this worth it?” or “Am I doing enough?” Just the other day, I was sitting in my room at the end of a long night, looking over Instagram reels I’ve posted to attract a following, and it was as if I was having an out-of-body experience, scrolling through the page of another artist. Before my eyes, I could see physical proof of how much effort I’m putting into fulfilling my dreams. On one hand, I pitied myself and was well aware of how much more work is needed to get to where I want to be. But on the other hand, I felt joy and pride for how far I’ve come already, and the fact that I am taking real action to make my dreams come true.

So at the end of the day, yes, I am happy to be an artist/creative. But happiness isn’t even the right word to describe how I feel. “Fulfilled” is a better word, because I feel that I am taking steps on a path that was meant for me. There’s nothing else I can imagine doing with my life that would give me the same level of satisfaction as making music. There are definitely highs and lows when taking this path, but it is all worth it to me because it feels like I am fulfilling some higher purpose. I could’ve taken another route— one that is easy, safe and practical—but I would’ve always wondered “what could’ve been”, and that is not something I am willing to live with.

Gabriel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello! My name is Gabriel Vianello. I am a twenty-one year old musician, composer, and producer in my final year at Webster University as a Sound Recording & Engineering major.

My whole life, music has played a vital role in shaping my personality and how I view the world. There is something so mystical about music that brings people together and creates community, and that is something that has always inspired me when working on my own projects.

I love writing music and performing for an audience, but I also take great pride in helping others pursue their creative passions through freelance work as well. Some of the services I provide include composing and producing for other musical artists, creating music, sound effects, and sound design for film and animation projects, and playing drums, bass, or guitar for musician’s live sets.

There are many others who provide the same services and who do them very well, but what sets me apart is my ability to accommodate a variety of different creatives and the expectations they have for their projects. It is very important to me that the standards for a client’s vision are met, and so putting myself in their shoes and seeing what fuels their inspiration is essential for me to do my best work.

Working with other creatives and seeing their ideas come into reality, as well as my own, is something that gives me great pride. But even more than that, I take pride in knowing I can use my love and passion for music to fulfill other people’s dreams. Having the ability to take something I love, and use it to help someone create something they love is a gratifying feeling unlike any other.

I want all creatives to know that I support them and their endeavors, and I am eager and determined to help them bring their creations to life!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

For people who aren’t doing creative work frequently, I think it can be difficult to understand just how much actual work and effort is put into turning an idea into a finished product. Yes, making and producing music can be fun and it should be fun, otherwise I wouldn’t do it. But just like with any profession, an amount of discipline and preparation is needed in order to create something of real value. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, if you don’t consistently work on your craft and put in the effort to improve, it will be difficult to make a name for yourself.

Another thing people may not realize is how much work artists have to do that is not creative. In a previous question, I mentioned that creatives have to wear a lot of different hats when first starting out, and that has definitely reigned true for me. In addition to making and producing music, other tasks have to be done like marketing on social media, creating and editing promo videos for song releases, pitching songs to playlists and DJs, and many other things.

It can be overwhelming for artists for sure, and being aware of that as a non-creative can positively impact the amount of appreciation and respect given for the creative work at hand.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There is one book that I cannot recommend enough. It is an oldie but a goodie, and it is called How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The title can be misleading for some, but the book is essentially about finding ways to make a connection with anyone, no matter who they are. And that is definitely an important skill for people working in a creative field, and for life in general. I read this book a couple years ago, and I can honestly say it has changed my life. Since reading this book and applying the lessons it has taught me, I’ve noticed a tremendous and positive impact on the quality of my relationships with people. How to Win Friends and Influence People was written in the 1930s, but the lessons taught in the book are still as meaningful today as ever.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vianello.music/?hl=en
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Ljkxvc7db9k9xcTHke5AP?si=E0CkzNuzQUGz2QQSZYblug&nd=1 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gabriel-vianello/1403614944 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vianello.music Email: [email protected]