We were lucky to catch up with Gustavo Moradel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gustavo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Growing up in church and being constantly surrounded by music made me curious about music. It all started with my love for the drums. I remember wanting to go to church simply just to see the drummer play and imagine what it would be like if I was the one sitting behind the drums. I used to obsess over it to the point that while the preacher was giving the sermon I would draw drums on a note pad and daydream of having my own set one day.
I then discovered the love for songwriting. I was heavily inspired by my heroes to do so. Bob Dylan, Juan Luis Guerra, Jorge Drexler, and Leonard Cohen. I wanted to capture my feels in rhythm and melodies in any way possible. I wanted nothing more in life than to pursue a creative lifestyle where I could make music and share it with people around me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a bilingual singer-songwriter, producer, speaker, and case worker based in Nashville, TN. I was originally born in Honduras but have spent the majority of my life in the USA.
I started to play drums and piano at a young age and have always known that I wanted to pursue music as a career. It has not been easy and I have learned throughout the years that being a full-time musician is not always the most sustainable lifestyle so I have adjusted to doing it for the love of it more than the money or fame.
What sets me apart from others?
I am a bilingual songwriter with the ability to blend different genres from all over Latin-America and incorporate them into my shows in a unique way. My songs are a collection of my life-lived experiences as an immigrant, former christian, seeker, and artist.
I am proud of my work not only because of what I bring to the table but also on the way people react to my storytelling. My songs speak of the human experience from a perspective of someone who is always questioning everything, feels deeply (sometimes too much!), and cares not only for people but also our planet.
I have performed in weddings, bars, funerals, colleges/universities, private parties, birthdays, churches, and many different events. Being in Nashville has giving me the opportunity to gain experience not only as a musician but now as a motivational speak as well.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I was 12 years old I had to cross the US/MEX border. I don’t know if there’s anything else in my life that has taken as much resilience as that. I had to adapt to a completely new country, learn a new language, see life through completely different culture lenses, and leave a home/identity behind. That, to me, is the most resilient thing I have ever done.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I dreamed of a society where musicians get paid fair wages. I have two different songs with more than 5 million plays on social platforms and only made a few hundred dollars from it and it makes me sad.
Contact Info:
- Website: gustavomoradel.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/gustavomoradel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GustavoMoradelOfficial
- Twitter: twitter.com/gustavomoradel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GustavoMoradel
Image Credits
Image credits: @Victorphotog