Gil Gastelum’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Gil Gastelum shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Gil, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Just a few days ago, an artist we manage and are the label for GRAMNY/Latin GRAMMY winning artist Gaby Moreno was a guest vocalist for our friend and increíble artist Adrian Quesada’s live performance at radio station KCRW. My longtime friend Jose Galvan was the DJ that night in the studio and invited us to come in before we left. Gaby ended up doing an interview, then another friend of i e and KCRW DJ Raúl Campos comes in and brings in Adrian and all of a sudden it turns into an impromptu group interview and hang- playing music they love and just catching up. It just so happened it was on air. I was so happy I could barely sleep that night.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Gil Gastelum, founder of Cosmica Artists, a music management and recording label I started to help my friends. We celebrated 21 years in June 2025. We are home to GRAMMY/Lstin GRAMMY Winning artist Gaby Moreno, Katzù Oso, Luna Luna, Twanguero, Miranda Del Sol, Hunters of the Alps, Estereomance, and Pilar Victoria. We were the longtime home to The Maria’s who we couldn’t be more proud of their success.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think that I had to chase the talent. Now I’ve learned to attract the talent and not be wrapped up in some sort of failure mode if I don’t land a potential client or it doesn’t work out with an existing one. Way better for my soul, the soul of the company and my great employees- who’ve chosen to work with me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many times. Back in 1998 I got mugged in Studio City, got assaulted pretty roughly. I ended up leaving LA and went back to my hometown of Tucson, where I loaded trucks for UPS for a summer in sweltering conditions. I thought I wanted to teach media arts in high school. Turns out I just needed a break and ended up in Austin, TX for a few years before I returned back to LA post 9/11 and made the decision shortly thereafter to try to start my own company.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
To be good to myself. I’ve spent the vast majority of my life, whether professionally or personal taking care or making sure others were taking care of- which is incredibly important in my value system- but did not make sure I took care of myself. I’d go as far as stating many times I betrayed myself and my own values and needs. Not anything I came up with myself but a wise recently stated this to me and it clicked in the articulation.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, that has been an underlying theme of doing my best to employ a blue collar work ethic in an industry where perception is everything. It’s not always been easy when you the person next to you is doing things for attention. I do the occasional interview or doing something in public in hopes of benefiting my company, my employees, but I prefer not to be the center of attention. Even on momentous occasions when I’ve had to give a speech to commemorate it’s been about the artist or the company.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cosmica-artists.com
• Instagram: CosmicaArtists
• Linkedin: GilbertGastelum
• Twitter: @CosmicaArtists
• Facebook: Cosmica Artists
• Youtube: CosmicaArtists
• Soundcloud: Cosmica Artists

Image Credits
Marvin Lemus