Meet GUNNAR, a rising rock sensation from Southern California, building a successful career within the music industry. Without a doubt, GUNNAR’s unwavering commitment to his musical craft and connecting with audiences radiates throughout our conversation.
The 22-year-old initially began creating pop-centric music, catching the attention of music executive and talent manager Scooter Braun before COVID-19 completely transformed live music and touring trajectory. GUNNAR began to reflect on how music truly resonated with him as an artist. With the initial attempt to reach radio play, the LA-based singer-songwriter realized what kinds of music he truly felt inspired by. “When Covid hit, I realized that when you take the live show away, all you have left is the music. I made a scary choice to depart from that and make music that had emotion and depth.”
Despite being immersed in a sea of pop artists during his formative years and drawing inspiration from mainstream radio music, he gradually found himself drawn to the raw, authentic expressions of indie-rock musicians like Lenny Kravitz and Arctic Monkeys.
In a span of just eight months, he not only released his debut album, “Best Mistake,” but also embarked on a captivating European tour, where he had the esteemed privilege of opening for iconic pop-rock band Maroon 5. Over the past year, Gunnar has garnered a strong fanbase, amassing an impressive following of over 100K monthly Spotify listeners and 256K+ via TikTok.
The musician’s influence has spread worldwide, as Gunnar traveled across Europe, performing for crowds of thousands in Amsterdam, Paris, London, and more. Gunnar’s gratitude and appreciation for his devoted and growing fanbase is evident throughout the conversation. He noted how grateful he was to connect and meet with fans every night on tour.
“The fact that the music that I created and that I was confident in finally, for the first time in my career, translated in a room like that in front of 25,000 people. It was eye-opening to see what songs connected with the people the most.”
The artist’s deep-rooted connection with music has always been an integral part of his life, evident through the years of dedication he’s poured into cultivating his artistry and establishing his presence and platform within the music industry. Gunnar introduced his first EP, “One Second of One Day,” in 2018, marking a pivotal moment in his journey. Notably, he also seized the opportunity to shine as the opening act for the boyband PrettyMuch in the same year, further affirming his musical trajectory.
Gunnar delved into the impact of fan interpretations of his music and how it has affected his live performance and artistic journey. When performing his music, we delved into how songs can take on lives of their own, creating a strong connection with listeners and audiences. How fans interpret Gunnar’s music and connect with it adds a dynamic energy, creating moments that linger in everyone’s memory after the show.
The Southern California native pointed out the significant tracks within the album and how they resonated with audiences live. Notably, he highlighted the impact of the album’s lead single, “Cinnamon,” observing how audiences responded with fervor to unexpected selections from his setlist. One standout was the track titled “One Last Time,” which Gunnar eloquently expressed as having a distinct Maroon 5-esque quality, infusing his performance with an energy reminiscent of and similar to the iconic band’s signature sound. Gunnar’s recognition of these moments reflects his dedication to building a connection between the artist and the audience.
When asked if any of the Maroon 5 members shared words of wisdom on the road, Gunnar reflected on the insight they shared. “Their most fond memories are looking back at kind of [what] we’re going through now, and the times of paying our dues and putting the 10,000 hours in.” He also reflected on the hardships of touring and building a successful career as a musician from the ground up, how one day these are the days he’ll be fond of.
Gunnar’s musical skills and sincere connection with his audience will keep shining, providing inspiration to a new wave of artists and music enthusiasts.
Check out The Knockturnal’s full conversation with GUNNAR!
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