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

Hi Marco, how do you think about risk?
Honestly, I think that risk is essential, so long as it’s (sometimes) carefully considered.

I’m from Connecticut, and currently live in L.A., and the decision to move here was, as it is for many, risky. However, taking that risk, and the subsequent risks that led to me forging a path for myself to succeed were essential. I like to think of that move, as well as the career movements following as large-scale risks.

I like to think of things like reaching out to a new potential business or industry connection, or pursuing an opportunity with a slim chance of success as smaller-scale risks.

Most things that have moved me forward, or given me an advantageous position in what I’m pursuing, have come from some sort of a sacrifice associated with a combination of both of those levels.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think my awareness that I’m not necessarily special, or particularly unique, is what sets me apart from the herd.

There’s a lot of effort that goes into making yourself highly unique or marketable to cut through the noise, but instead of changing what I wanted to say with my music, or the way I wanted to say it; I decided to focus on other ways I could get to them while keeping my message & vision intact.

As it turns out, labels were much more interested in hearing my music after I’d built them a website, or designed a graphic ad campaign for them. Those sorts of long-term projects led to more opportunities for conversations, more time to get to know individual people and what their company or label was looking for. Building connections in that way gave me a platform to then bring my music into the conversation.

It took years, and certainly was not easy, but over time, I gained a reputation among my peers and business partners for being versatile, efficient, and adaptable. That allowed me to make those initial connections stick.

If there’s anything I’ve learned; if the door to an opportunity is blocked, look for a window. There’s always an alternate channel or method to reach who you need to, just don’t show up empty-handed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a really great question. Short answer: probably not the observatory.

Long answer; for food, probably Philippe’s The Original, Road To Seoul KBBQ on Western, La Pergoletta on Hillhurst, and Bacari in Silverlake for the really sick tree (food’s solid too).

Naturally, gotta hit the Getty Villa, the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro, a rooftop movie night downtown, and I might even be able to throw a sick party somewhere fun.

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?
There are quite a few people that deserve recognition for what I’ve managed to accomplish.

Chris Gould, my childhood best friend who always supported my obsessive nature toward new ideas, for starters.

Owen Lantz, one of my best friends, who has taught me volumes about patience, trusting the process, and cultivating a level head in high-stress scenarios. He was recently honored with three GRAMMY nominations this past ceremony for his work as a recording engineer.

Liam FitzPatrick, also a producer, mixing engineer, and recording studio owner, who has been my right-hand man for the last year-and-a-half, battling it out in the localization world (and other buffoonery)

Oh… and my awesome family!

Website: http://www.koste.co

Instagram: @koste

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/marcolcesare

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