Gil Costello shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gil, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Typically I wake up around 8am, check my email quickly to see if there is anything urgent, then I begin my day. I try to give myself at least an hour to wake up and be a normal human before responding to anything non-urgent. By 10am I am fully clocked in. Around noon, I head to The Basement East to begin my office hours, which wrap around 5pm. Then I have a quick window to run home, let my dog out, grab something to eat, and I am usually out at a show by 7:oo or 8:00. Quite a busy daily schedule – but that’s how I like it!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 2009 to start college at MTSU. I studied music business there, and had a great time in school. My first venue job was working at Ascend Amphitheater. My role there was in site operations – setting up bike rack, chairs, general venue maintenance, etc.
I started working at The Basement in 2017. My first role was a door person – checking IDs, kicking people out, more venue maintenance, etc. Then I began working in the Box Office, which is more related to ticketing and working with the tour to administer guest list. I got the job booking shows at The Basement in 2019, and have been working to keep the calendar full since then!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my boss, Mike “Grimey” Grimes. He has taught me so much about the nuance of the music business, and how to build and maintain relationships in this industry. He has also taught me so much about running a venue, working with staff, and being able to anticipate how well a show will do financially. He still has a ton of enthusiasm for music and artist development, and is someone I consider a big time role model!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Everything works out for the best! Even the setbacks you will experience in life will make you a better person. Keep believing in yourself and trust the process. Work hard, establish yourself, and always remember to be a good person. You have to live with the consequences of your choices. Make sure you are measured, and thoughtful with how you act.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That you need to fit a particular “mold” to succeed. I think the music industry is one industry where people should feel empowered to be themselves. Lots of big industry players have an antiquated belief that one needs to assume a specific personality type to succeed. I do not find this to be true, and have found that being my authentic self has guided me to the place where I am today.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I do have a job that I enjoy and deeply am passionate about. I acknowledge that often, and try to remind myself that this is a job that I used to dream about having. It’s important to not take that for granted. Some days have their challenges, and not every success is long lasting. But I do wake up every day with enthusiasm and joy in my work. I am deeply grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebasementnashville.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebasementnash
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thebasementnash
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebasementnash
Image Credits
@equirk
