We were lucky to catch up with Gully Mark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gully, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

It’s crazy you ask this, because I’ve had a similar thought for some time. Where would I be today if I shared more of my creative processes or publicly engaged better? The thing is, I’ve been on the music scene in some artist circles officially around late 2013, almost 10 years ago. Insert mind-blown emoji. I started writing music a few years prior, but didn’t have the confidence to actually push myself, that is, until I met a group of guys named X, Cecil, and AG. They produced and rapped and had some of the best writing styles I’ve heard at the time. I’ve recorded my first demos with them and featured one of them on my first single (Won’t Fold – 2014) that got a little buzz on SoundCloud which also was a requested favorite by everybody that booked me at the time. It was those moments I knew I was on the radar by my peers and could really use my craft as a tool. Fast forward, I’ve featured on other artists songs, dropped singles, did many performances as an opener at concerts, outreach events, headlined youth events, etc., over the course of some years. The problem was, I did not market myself well…. AT ALL. I would constantly get people saying, “man, i wish I would’ve known about it, I would have definitely supported” and things of that nature. But I just did not know how to promote myself. I knew I wanted to be a writer, I knew I wanted to be heard, and I knew I wanted my message to go out to the masses, but again, I didn’t have the confidence to push myself. Is that weird? I have a track record of promoting others’ stuff heavy as if it were mine, but couldn’t apply that same pressure for me and mine! I never been a bragger and for some odd reason I’ve equated marketing and giving myself some credit as just that. Remember, this is early on and it took a friend of mine to tell me to “Stop apologizing for being dope” – that rings in my head to this day. God gave me the ability to create, so this is MY art, I need to own it. I’m practicing that more now than ever since I’ve taken my craft more seriously and it’s truly been beneficial to me in this journey as an independent artist. So, would I go back in time with any of my endeavors with that application? Would I be further along? I don’t know, but what I do know is that God is going to open whatever door He wants and I’m here for it. I say better late than never..

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m just a dude from STL that simply appreciates the performing arts. Not only have I been involved with music and songwriting, but I have videography/editing, photography, deejay, acting and film/theater credits under my belt as well. I also like to orchestrate social events and curate pop up concerts with local and national artists while giving up and coming indie artists a chance to showcase their talents and put on for the city.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that I’m utilizing my God-given gifts and talents as contribution to the arts scene, in the respective lanes, for the city and abroad. Working as an individual or in a collaborative space, the message has always been that we were created to create and that I couldn’t have done it without God. I hope that people are inspired by what I put out into the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The love of God and people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unitedmasters.com/m/605395338333265904198142
• Instagram: @gullymark314
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gullymark314
• Twitter: @gullymark314
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gullymark314
• Other: https://illustrate.lnk.to/WDYT

Image Credits
@siskojoemedia @real_imaj