Gavin Ross, “Part Of My Universe”
Gavin Ross is potentially the only underground music artist coming from the quaint town of Norwalk, Ohio. In an exclusive interview with RSO, Gavin Ross opens up about his unique path toward earning a formal music degree and entering the industry as a creative. He grew up in an area where the music scene is virtually non-existent and went against the odds, now sharing his story of community support and how those around him pushed him toward his current artistic successes and creative growth. His story is an inspiring look into the behind the scenes of his most recent release, an evolutionary 15-track project titled "Part of My Universe".
Gavin's journey showcases the importance of networking in the music industry and how connections made can ultimately transform into lifelong creative partnerships. One night he attended his first ever rap concert, a performance by his favorite artist and inspiration "Dro Kenji", and later was added to a music community group chat by someone he met at the show. Here in this group, he discovered fellow underground musician "EJ Virgo" and the two artists have been collaborating on tracks since, with 5 collaborative releases already and more in the works.
Ross is currently studying Music in University and has developed connections with legendary producers and artists, like a connection to Tre Smith, who worked alongside the great Mac Miller, that was made via a course assignment. Countless connections to fellow young artists in the school are sure to build an impressive network of peers and collaborators down the line.
His newest release, "Part of My Universe" displays a full spectrum of the artist. This concept spans from his 2 favorite colors being incorporated into the overall scheme and cover art, alongside collaborations and recordings that paint the picture of Gavin's young adult life, transitioning through college and into his future in music, and beyond.
RSO Underground Interview with Gavin Ross
Who are you?
I am THE Gavin Ross
Where are you from? (How is the music scene there?)
From Norwalk, a small town in Ohio. The music scene is practically non-existent here; never heard of another person making music in my area
Why did you get into the music/creative industry?
I've always had a sort of connection with music and never really understood why it was so prevalent/ powerful for people like myself. I also decided to start recording songs as a way to ease my stress or let out things I've been holding inside. Music has always been a good way to ease my mind of stress.
I also got into music because I've always wanted to inspire people. I've always wanted to see a couple hundred people singing my songs back to me while I'm on stage being a role model for them, the youth
Who and what inspires you?
I would say that throughout my life it's been the people that have always told me they believed in me that inspired me most, especially my friends and family. I don't recall a time anyone ever told me to choose a different career path or look for something else to pursue. I think when I see someone else attain a goal they've been working on it pushes me to grind even harder everyday. I've finally gotten a taste of that feeling and that's what motivates me to keep on doing what I'm doing.
Do you have any stories of your artistic journey to share?
I went to my first concert ever; artist was Dro Kenji, easily one of my top artist inspirations. He performed a phenomenal show and hours later I was added into a group chat with him and a couple hundred other fans. After Weeks of being in that group chat people started sending their music every so often; another artist by the name of EJ Virgo sent his music in the chat and just by random chance I decided to give it a listen. It was an ep titled 'Anomaly'. As soon as I heard it I shot him a dm because I absolutely loved his style, I hadn't heard a ton of people like him before. He later DMs me back and we get to chatting and eventually it turned into, "we should make a song together" . I sent him a beat I made and he hopped on it. I loved the sound he gave with the beat and he said that I should hop on it too. I hopped on it and he loved it. Ever since that week we go back and forth everyday and have dropped 5 songs together. We both feed eachoter with positive energy and are constantly talking about music. We live by the idea that we aren't rappers and that we're artists and we both truly believe there's a difference. He's always been like a brother to me and I've always been like a brother to him and it's been a little over a year now of knowing each other. All it took was one dm to start a whole new connection
What song/project are you currently promoting and what is the story behind it?
Currently I am promoting my first ever project, Part Of My Universe. Ever since I started this career I've been itching for the day I drop an album. The story behind it is that thru this journey I'm on I'm slowly creating my universe. Every step I take adds to my universe. Every song, collab, connection, theyre all a part of it. The album is a collection of songs almost entirely made through the start of my adult life, with most of them being recordings inside my college dorm room. Each song from this part of my universe represents the phases I've gone through so far. The album is very order specific in the story sense of things. The cover also has a larger meaning. Planets- symbolizing a universe.
My two favorite colors are also seen intertwining, connecting my life as a musician with my life as a teenager, merging to create one. The colors represent two sides getting to know eachother until they finally become one. But this is only the start. Only PART of my universe…
What is one thing people would be suprised to know about you?
One thing people would be suprised to know is that I'm in college studying for a 4 year degree in the music industry
I decided that I still wanted to pursue a career in music but I honestly wanted to go to school to learn more about the production side of things and see how all of that worked but it ended up being a little bit different than I had planned. It's rare that any college near me offered a music program that I was looking for and i was certain that even if I couldn't find the exact major I wanted I was still going to go to a college and get a degree, not only to learn but to build a massive variety of connections. My college choice was great for that 1 because it's a top music school in the country (mainly for performing arts but still an art) and 2 because the professors are supposedly top notch and it could hopefully help me out with other things that I didn't yet know about music
Since I've started college I've met tons of people that make music, I've now got a couple friends who also dabble in production as well as people who have been playing instruments for half of their lives which is an amazing thing to have. I honestly never imagined any of this was even possible this close to home and was thinking I was going to have to find a college in a different state to pursue my dream of being a performing artist
Another cool little story is about an awesome dude named Tre Smith. He's a pretty well known producer from Cleveland that has produced for Mac miller and all sorts of other record labels. I met him because of one simple assignment. I talked to a professor who guided me in his direction and him and I got on a call and had a great conversation about his career and what he thinks about the industry
Where can we find your music and art?
You can find my music on any platform at all under the name "Gavin Ross"
What is your message to the world?
My message to the world: Don't be a dick dude....
Nah but really
The only person stopping you from the goals you wish you achieve in life is yourself. Make no excuses, give all the energy and effort you can into your craft, take necessary steps towards attaining the goal and chase down that dream with everything you have inside
Check out Gavin Ross Everywhere!