Meet Sweet Gav | Musician, Audio Engineer, and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sweet Gav and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sweet Gav, why did you pursue a creative career?
The basic reason is simple: music and art bring me the greatest fulfillment and focus in life; however I didn’t always know I would pursue an artistic career. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I definitely didn’t know going into college– it took me ’til my senior year to truly realize that performing my music live and making art would be the driving passion in my life. It took me even longer to learn I had a strong passion for audio engineering. I guess what I’ve learned so far in my 24 years is that it’s okay to take things slow and really develop yourself rather than rushing towards a finish line. Enjoying the process will only bring about more happiness and an inner sense of success in the long run.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I suppose what sets any artist apart from another is their energy. I’m always consciously, (or perhaps more often subconsciously), doing my best to spread excitement about the creation of music and creative energy in general. Recently, I’m most proud of the recording studio I’ve built in my home in Eagle Rock and the musical, artistic and creative world that has inherently developed around it. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a beginner or even someone with no experience at all, if you walk into my house and want to play around in the studio– say less, let’s jam.

One of the biggest and hardest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that it’s hard not to get caught up in the mindset that everything is a competition. Social media has played a big hand in developing toxic energy in the creative world where we’re always comparing ourselves to people we think are either better, or more successful than us. I myself am easily prone to envy and jealousy in this way. What I’ve come to realize is that unless you truly support and believe in other artists, you cannot truly support or believe in your own artistic pursuits. We’re all in this game together; my mission these days is to always keep myself in check and make sure I am supporting others and being creative from the level of my soul.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oowee, my family is coincidentally in town right now. There’s so much in LA to explore, (and I myself have only been here for a year and a half so I’m hardly the most knowledgeable source), but here are some of my favorite spots…

– If someone musically inclined visits me, I’m taking them to all the studios I produce/engineer/ do session work at. It’s just so fun to experience the unique atmospheres at different studios.

– Muddy Paw Coffee, (Silverlake & Eaglerock): hands down my favorite coffee joint. Got damn that Honey Lavender Latte slaps!

– Auntie Dee’s Bakery: An AMAZING Philippine bakery in Eagle Rock. I can’t do it justice with simple words, you just gotta go.

– Echo Park Lake: unfortunately, the lovely LAPD has rendered this amazing spot useless. However, this is my favorite park in LA thus far.

– The Hermosillo: a bar on York Blvd that has one of the most diverse drink menus ever. If you like IPAs, wine or hard kombucha, definitely check it out. A huge outdoor seating area too!

– Silverlake flea market and vintage stores: I can’t say how many amazing things I’ve found in Silverlake at spots like the flea market, American Vintage, or Sunday’s best– all amazing spots for clothing, jewelry and other items.

– Happy’s Liquor: my favorite beer store, hehe. Perhaps you’re sensing a pattern here. If you’re an East Coaster who loves IPAs, this store will have stuff to make you “happy”.

There are too many places to really think of, but these are some of my favorites that I can think of in the moment. I know I’m forgetting spots and it’s gunna annoy me later, so here’s my disclaimer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost is my immediate family. I was surrounded by music growing up because my Dad runs a recording studio and my parents have always been very supportive of my choice to pursue a non-traditional career. Along with that, my family of friends and mentors I have been lucky enough to meet through the years are the only reason for where I am today. My oldest friend from childhood, Luke Gallagher is one of the people I collaborate with the most; I’ve learned so much about creativity and work ethic in the studio from that guy. My manager Hank Bronson was one of the first people in the LA music scene who saw the fire in my eyes and really believed in my path. My girlfriend has been my biggest fan for 3 years now, I would be a hopeless mess without her support and wisdom. Finally, lectures and books from genius minds such as Deepak Chopra and Alan Watts have been really opening my mind and approach toward life. Oh– and also, shoutout to daily meditation and the therapists I’ve had through the years.

Website: My Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPIiKaiHZjxfWuUbtSx0yhQ

Instagram: @sweetgav_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPIiKaiHZjxfWuUbtSx0yhQ