We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maks Gabriel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maks, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose after a lot of trial and error. Basically, I tried many forms of musical artistry before figuring out that music production and songwriting is what I loved the most and that it was imperative that I master those crafts. From being the lead singer in a rock band to trying to write piano pop ballads, I tried many things early on not really knowing what would work for me. But I think it was when I started to think about the future, and what kind of mark I wanted to leave in music, that was truly when I decided that being behind the scenes(the studio) was where I belonged and where I would truly thrive. I caught glimpses of it when working with professional producers and songwriters for the very first time. I saw the lifestyle they had along with the work environment and I know I wanted that. So I’m happy to report that today I am living the same life as those dudes from my first experience that I envied so much. I think it just takes trying different avenues until you find the one that suits you best.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi, I’m Maks Gabriel. From my studio in Nashville, TN. I record, write and mix songs with other songwriter/artists and sometimes create full productions from basic voice-memo recordings.
As a musician, I’m a vocalist, pianist, guitarist, drummer, bassist and keyboardist specializing in Country, Pop, Metal and Alternative music. I’ve produced songs for The Voice’s Cassadee Pope and American Idol’s Huntergirl, Megan Moroney, Muscadine Bloodline, Eric Paslay, members of Three Doors Down, Sevendust, and many others.
My productions have been featured on hit TV shows like CMT’s Nashville, Yellowstone, Fire Country, True Blood, The Mindy Project and many others.
The most exciting part about what I do, is that I get to help millions of listeners through the healing power of music. I’ve always been very emotional and sensitive, especially when it comes to others. I always wanted to be a doctor or lawyer – someone who could help people in dire times. So once I honed my musical abilities, I wanted to put them to good use. I want to keep making music that works as a form of therapy. Because that’s what music is for many many people – it is for me. A song can heal – and that makes what I do extra special.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being able to harness your ego is an essential skill to have in the music industry. It helps especially when collaborating with others. And music is usually very heavy on collaboration. It’s important to keep an open-mind, and respect others ideas even if they clash with your own. You tend to develop a unique vocabulary and replace certain trigger words that would ordinarily shut people down or turn them off from working with you. But you need to know when to have a big ego. There are moments where it can be advantageous, like if you’re trying to secure a publishing deal or record deal.
Another important skill is knowing how to play and write tastefully. By this is mean knowing when it’s appropriate to show off your speed and theory knowledge. Most of the top musicians in the world rarely show everything they’re capable of playing. It’s actually much more difficult to not overplay. This helps a ton in recording sessions and in songwriting.
Lastly, I think having a basic foundation in music theory put you far ahead of the pack. I can’t tell you how many gigs I wouldn’t have gotten had I not how that additional knowledge.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client/artist is one who is very good at articulating and expressing thier vision. It’s much harder than you think to express the vision you have in your head and have a complete stranger understand and picture it perfectly. But when they are successful at it, it makes my job so much easier and more enjoyable.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.maksgabriel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maks_gabriel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maksgabriel/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SuperMaksim84
Image Credits
Not necessary. All taken by non-photographers. Friends or family lol.
