With hypnotic and often interweaving melodies, (Gil-e) brings into mind a somewhat mathematical predictability sewn around various aspects of genres and vibes he blends together while still holding a firm stance within Alt-Pop & Americana. Born Bryant Gilley, he has a passion for music that started at age 5 after touching the keys of a player piano. Years went by and he found himself inexorably drawn to the craft of music and the science of sound. In April 2009 he recorded his first demo in New Orleans at Fudge Recording Studios with producer Jack Miele, of the famous 80s cover band The Molly Ringwalds. He then quickly started performing around the southeastern United States under a solo acoustic act and with his group Shifting Tracks at various bars, restaurants, and venues focusing mainly around his hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Notable performances include; Midtown Music Festival (2011), Bay Fest (2013), South Sounds Music Festival (2015), and WZEW's "Radio Avalon." Several albums under Shifting Tracks were released during these years. That group was eventually put on hiatus. Numerous musicians have come and gone through his projects and as before he would find himself alone continuing along the path; still writing and making music. 2019 would bring significant change as Bryant decided to break from being a bar/restaurant entertainer as a new approach was needed to grow. He would then begin to focus more on writing and producing his and others' content while readjusting the approach to get back out and start performing again. In October of 2022, he would re-launch his brand from using his name to now using the moniker (Gil-e). This would also bring about a new single. "Sun is Gonna Rise" available now on all streaming platforms. Show dates are now being worked on and will be announced when available.
Music has always been a way to express whatever it is I'm going through and tell my personal story. It's given me an avenue to not only do just that but also discover new paths of speaking to audiences by working to connect to deeper archetypal emotions and philosophies of human existence.
I guess just to locate an audience who enjoys my music and art and get out across the US for shows.
Religion
For some reason, the song "Wind beneath my wings" comes to mind but it was pretty much getting blasted on the radio everywhere I went as a child.
Currently, I don't have a favorite but growing up I was very big into Led Zepplin, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, and Garth Brooks. There's definitely more but those are the ones really ringing the bell.
My inspiration to write music came from an inability to express myself properly and release emotions. I had to constantly search for a magical set of chords, melody, and rhythm to unlock something inside to give me an emotional release. It was much more of an absolute need to write for the health of my mind.
That would probably depend on the song I would assume. I guess my first main message would be that life is better if we all realize that we're in this together and act and work accordingly. And then the second main message is that existence itself is far stranger than you can possibly imagine.
I've played lots of different types of shows. Playing an entertainment/bar gig where you are background music can feel immensely depressing. Playing to an audience there to actually enjoy music is amazing especially when the energy begins to become a back-and-forth play between performer and audience.
Well, the life of a musician has always been a bit difficult. There are definitely lots of challenges to making a decent living not even including larger success. I guess what could be improved is royalty cuts from streaming being in a far better and fairer proportional rate but maybe it's the discovery and connection process itself that needs to be improved.
I'm currently fairly new to this so it's definitely interesting and exciting to be able to connect better with others working in my chosen field.
I don't think I really have anything that particularly frustrates me about being a musician because mainly the problems stem from other aspects of survival.
I rarely get out anymore to see performances due to financial limitations and being busy with other aspects of my career, I'm hoping that changes. I mostly try to support through social media and listening to local artists' music. I also work to help others produce their music by utilizing my skills develop as a producer working in my studio.
Not sure to be honest. I think that depends on who you are. You should play to your audience. I mean to achieve a very large audience you'll eventually have to sacrifice something about your art to appeal to a broader market.
Ross Newell Madison Bolt Mitch Sweeny