Meet Vito Gambill | Mandolin

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

Hi Vito, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We started the band in 2015 mostly just to play music out and have fun but over the first year of playing out, we had written several of our own songs and decided to start trying to take it more seriously and less of just a hobby. Since then, we’ve done soundtrack work, toured overseas, and played several festivals all while staying independent and unsigned. In terms of the thought process behind building our band (and brand behind it), it’s something that grows as we continue having fun and meeting new people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our art is well, music. Creating it, performing it, living it and sharing it. Every band has some kind of uniqueness to them that helps them stand out but we just try and be our genuine selves and create music that reflects us. We sound like some and don’t sound like most and we’re okay with that.

I think at this point in the journey we’re most proud of, and thankful for, being able to play in so many different places. We’ve made it all over the mid-west, the north-east and even in Europe a few times. It takes a good amount of hustle to rustle up that kind of range and we’re very proud to have been able to make those dreams happen.

It was very not easy. Very difficult actually. It takes a lot of individual effort to keep the machine moving and that’s not including the music part. Reaching out to folks to try and get information or to book shows is hard enough but when you strike out more often than not you just have to keep going. Organizing 8+ people to travel and bring gear with them, making sure the venue gets what they need and they we get what we need, etc. And that’s not including the networking. But, in the end, it’s worth it to put all the work in. And if we’ve learned one thing in the past years is to keep pushing. Send that extra message, ask that extra person, do that show, keep things moving forward. People are willing to help most of the time but you gotta make that first move to start.

I mentioned earlier that we want to be our genuine selves and create music that reflects us. Well thats what we want to impart on people. Our goal is to just create something that invokes emotion and helps create memories. And of course, have fun with it – at the highest level you can.

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.
I’m not really a planner so let’s just make a few lists eh? In no particular order.

Food: Schmidt’s, Valters at the Maennerchor, Hounddogs Pizza, Mikey’s Late Night Slice, Brassica, Tai’s Asian Bistro, North Market. Columbus has an awesome pizza scene!

Drinks: Fado, Old North Arcade, Dick’s Den, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Columbus Brewing Company, Byrne’s Pub. THe bar scene is massive here so, pick your vibe.

Stuff To Do: Magnolia Thunderpussy (record shop), Ace of Cups (there are tons of music venues here), Book Loft, Pins Mechanical, 16-Bit, Karaoke Bars, Crew/Blue Jackets Game. Take your pick.

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?
Let’s give a shoutout our fans first – because we wouldn’t be anywhere if people didn’t listen to our music. So a huge thank you to everyone who enjoys our sound. We’d also like to thank Matt Bacon for his amazing insights and his bad jokes. And a massive thank you to all the Airbnb hosts, waiters & waitresses, baristas, bartenders and sound techs who keep us fat & happy!

Website: https://www.bravetheseaband.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravetheseaband/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BraveTheSeaBand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bravethesea/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BraveTheSea

Image Credits
Special shout out to Joseph Benitez for being an amazingly talented photographer!