Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Will Gurley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Will, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The You Matter Festival is definitely one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked (and continue to work) on. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years, and music has been one of the best outlets for me. In 2018, I started the You Matter Festival to help spread a message of hope using music which helped me so much. Since 2018, we have been able to reach thousands of people and change lives in many ways. You can learn more at youmatterfestival.net.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, actor, and playwright. I began playing music at a very young age and started writing not long after. I have released a number of songs (with more to come), written and directed plays, and produced music for clients. My broad interests both artistically and otherwise help give me unique perspectives in my work. I am most proud of my work starting and running the You Matter Festival, a music festival promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the most rewarding things for me is when other people are affected by my work. Creating is amazing in itself, but experiencing that with others is absolutely the prize.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Support your artists! Especially for musicians, streaming gives fractions of pennies per stream. Some of the best ways to help artists out financially is to attend live shows and buy merch or other goods from artists. Crowdfunding is also a great way to pitch in and help a creative keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: Williamgurley.org
- Instagram: Willgurley1
Image Credits
Charles King, Laurel Hinton, Joey Wilson