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

Hi Gavin, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I think the most important habit for success is your mindset, especially with a musical career. One thing that has helped me continue to learn and enjoy my craft is to stay in the mindset of a student. I am always studying, and open to learning to new ideas. Along with this idea, is creating a daily routine. While in school, we have a rigid schedule with classes and meetings. I try and keep a pretty consistent routine where I write music, study scores, look up new software, and try to learn new ideas that help me better my music. The key word in this is “try.”

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
There was a pretty clear moment in my life where I decided to become a composer, and not a performer. At first I imagined my life as a touring/session guitarist but sadly I injured my wrists with a pretty intense repetitive stress injury. I was depressed and directionless. At the time I was studying classical/jazz guitar in school and my roommate (a music composition major) told me I should sign up for the composition classes. I ended up enrolling and changed my major days later. I always look back on this moment and wonder if this would have happened had I not injured my wrists? Almost like a divine intervention.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would say seeing a LA Phil concert is essential, either at the Hollywood Bowl or Disney Hall. If I had to do an entire itinerary, I would start with the west side of LA and slowly work my way east. Showing my friends the beaches, driving up PCH, hiking in Malibu, eating at Neptune’s Net.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are way too many people to name or shoutout for this question. I would feel awful leaving somebody out. I studied music in both my undergrad and graduate degree. I was extremely fortunate to work with some incredible professors who helped me open my mind, and breakthrough my creative process. Dr. Paul Rudy, Dr. Mobberley, Dr. Chen Yi, Mark Suozzo and Chris Hajian really gave me all my fundamentals as a composer. Along with my all training in school, I have been very fortunate to work with some very talented filmmakers. These filmmakers make it possible for me to write music for a living, without their continued support I wouldn’t be working today.

Website: www.gavinbrivik.com

Instagram: @gavinbrivik

Image Credits
Daniel Goldhaber, Kevin Wilson Jr., Ellie Foumbi, Laura Valladao, TaNisha Fordham

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