We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Garrett Wolfston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Garrett below.
Garrett, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
At 14 years old, I was the fastest kid on the track, running almost a sub 6-minute mile. I was perfectly built to join our traveling sports teams, with dreams of becoming a soccer star. However, by 15, at the start of my freshman year, I became the slowest runner. What happened? I remember desperately trying to keep up with the other kids, but my lungs filled with fluid. One day, while hitting golf balls and consistently shanking them into the woods, I became frustrated and my heart rate soared to 200 beats per minute. My father rushed me to the hospital as my hands went numb. The nurses instructed me to bear down as if I were going to poop, and weirdly, my heart rate returned to normal. A visit to the cardiologist revealed that I had HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), the number one killer of athletes. Athletes with HCM are known to drop dead from cardiac arrest at any time. During my first defibrillator implant surgery, my heart stopped for 30 seconds. After the implant, the doctor advised me to quit high-intensity sports.
My experience with HCM became the first test of my resilience in the face of life-altering change. Those diagnosed with HCM tend to be more depressed than the average person, but I embraced the opportunity to reinvent myself. HCM was the first major shift in my life, a moment where I grasped the finality of my existence at a very early age. I recognized that my next step might be the last thing I ever do. HCM gave me a chance to redefine my identity: with high-intensity sports off the table, who was I? What could I contribute to our planet during my short stay? I delved into my potential talents, considering paths like acting, medicine, and music. Credit goes to my first trumpet teacher, Derek, for guiding me towards music. I’ll never forget playing complicated melodies for him at 12 by ear, his jaw dropping in amazement. While I knew I had something with music, I had no clue it could manifest into a career.
At 18, two weeks after graduating high school, I packed my bags and headed to LA after signing to modeling agencies in LA and San Francisco. While I began to explore modeling and acting, I also believed I was good at music but didn’t know how to turn it into a career. Around 2013, after an introduction from a roommate, I met 88 Keys, producer of Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild.” He encouraged me to explore old vinyl records at Amoeba Music and use them in my production. This meeting was the first time I considered a potential career in music. From 2015 to 2017, I developed my sound, and in 2018, I made significant strides in my career. Collaborating with Brian King Joseph on crafting the sound of his biggest records (third place, America’s Got Talent) and studying under J2, the producer of Shakira’s World Cup song “Dare La La La,” opened doors for me. I also secured a movie deal to score the award-winning documentary “Rigged,” and records I worked on gained over 10 million views. However, I faced challenges in both professional and personal relationships.
After COVID, I experienced a collapse in my sonic identity. Unsure of who I was or what I wanted, I grappled with a part of the music industry that destroyed my well-being. I tolerated disrespect and toxic environments, especially during sessions. Working in high-pressure environments without regard for my mental health became intolerable. Three crucial individuals—Cooper Philip, Aaron Baldwin, and LX Xander—helped me rediscover the true essence of music: a collaborative environment fostering creativity and authentic expression that impacts others. With their support, I not only redeveloped a good living through my passion but also found greater opportunities for success.
So, how does my musical journey relate to the broader concept of resilience? I believe a few traits helped me succeed where I could have succumbed to a “victim mindset.”
Trait 1: Recognizing the multifaceted assets I bring to the world and avoiding excessive attachment to any one of them is crucial. People often build identities around various aspects of life, such as partners, personalities, or careers. When asked about our occupation, we usually respond with a singular label like “I am X,” defining ourselves by a profession. Early on, I realized I am diverse in my abilities. Life’s events might compel me to shift from one identity to another. While I excel in music, I am also a skilled communicator and possess a strong business acumen. These traits synergize, with my business prowess significantly enhancing my musical career and vice versa.
Trait 2: Reflecting on a low point in my career, I wondered why people were willing to assist me. I attribute it to my commitment to treating others with respect and care. Acknowledging the value others provide, I make an effort to reciprocate. For instance, if someone refers a client to me, I redirect client traffic their way. Recently, when I lost my debit card during dinner with my team, a friend spotted me. Instead of repaying the exact amount, I added an extra $5 as a recognition of the value he provided by covering my unexpected expense. Many take without giving back, leading to a lack of support when they need it. Avoid being that person.
Trait 3: Stubbornness within reason is a defining quality. Despite numerous moments when I nearly gave up, an inner voice persisted. While it’s essential to pivot when a strategy isn’t working, abandoning a life purpose requires a compelling reason, aligned with one’s heart. In the struggles of 2020, I contemplated quitting despite early success. The persistent inner voice refused to let me surrender. Regardless of how challenging the journey, I was determined to reach the zenith. Now, three years later, I take pride in my work, client base, industry connections, sound, and heart. The optimism I feel about my future stems from, not in spite of, the struggles I faced.
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?
Garrett is the founder of W Studios, a music group that has scored award winning films, international ads, and artist singles garnering millions of collective views. Some of Garrett’s accolades include:
Artist Singles:
#85 rock charts in the United States
#2 rock charts New Zealand
5 million collective YouTube views
1 million plus collective Spotify Streams
Film:
Won best documentary at Septimius Awards
Nominated for Best Music Score at the San Diego Movie Awards
Winner World Premiere Film Awards
Winner Toronto Film Magazine Fest
1 Million Plus Youtube Views
Ads:
Scored international featured ads in Vietnam for Vinamilk
Ads have been featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other publications
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
* Your worth is not defined by your work. Detach your ego from your creative endeavors—whether it’s music, writing, or painting. None of your creations represent the entirety of who you are. It’s easy to develop an ego attachment to your work. When criticism arises, avoid linking it to your self-worth. I apply the knowledge my father taught me when evaluating my music: “What is wrong with this piece?” I consistently apply this principle to my craft. In a conversation with 88 Keys, he shared a tactical approach to seeking advice that invites constructive criticism. The key is to ask colleagues for specific feedback on potential improvements. I’ve employed this technique in studio sessions, leading to valuable insights I might have otherwise missed.
* Emphasize speed as much as quality. Resist becoming overly attached to a single painting, song, or artistic concept. The most successful artists and producers produce prolifically. It’s easy to become paralyzed by overanalyzing your work and editing it endlessly. Set deadlines for yourself, even if they are self-imposed. For instance, establish goals like creating two songs a week or writing ten poems in a month. Adhere to these deadlines, and if a project falls short, embrace it. More projects and opportunities will follow. Adopt an abundance mindset.
* Maintain your individuality. While it’s crucial to consider others’ critiques, your belief in your self-worth as an artist or individual is paramount. I’ve faced moments where external critique or challenging sessions influenced my perception of self-worth. While others’ opinions matter, your perspective on your art and work should always take precedence.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
Devote energy to your strengths, and as you do, you’ll discover areas within your domain of strength where you may not be as proficient. Let me provide an example: I’m a music producer with a deep understanding of the technical side of production—I grasp the sonic spectrum, chord progressions, song structure, drum patterns, and various other facets at an elite level. However, there are aspects where I’m not as strong. I’m an okay pianist, not a great guitar player, and not the best lyricist. These weaknesses within my strength domain present two distinct opportunities: 1) collaborating with others to learn from their strengths in these areas, and 2) setting aside time to practice and improve on these aspects independently.
Contact Info:
- Website: wstudiosound.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwolf.official/
Image Credits
donatello.ph https://www.instagram.com/donatello.ph/ Harry https://www.instagram.com/llebyrrah/
