We recently had the chance to connect with Bernard Galane and have shared our conversation below.
Bernard, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I get up around 6:30 AM and the first thing I do is reading the stock market and world news. It’s really important to me to know what’s going on in the world and stay informed since I’m very involved in the markets. Then I have breakfast and right after that I take advantage of the early morning light and paint for a couple of hours. While I’m painting, I’m listening to a lot of company reports, podcasts or music. All kinds of music, modern artists, 80s Pop, Classical, Jazz etc. After working on fine art, I usually go to the gym. I work out almost every day and really enjoy it. It’s just so positive and gives me great energy.. After my workout I have lunch. My afternoons are always different depending on what’s going on. Some days I teach drums at the university, or I learn new music for session work, do auditions or photo shoots, take care of my drum company or social media content. Then I have dinner and after that, I normally practice drums between 1 to 3 hours. or I go back to the studio and record music. Then late evening I unwind with a movie or video game. On weekends, I like to go out with my friends, check out live music or art galleries. It’s an intense schedule which allows me to grow in multiple professional fields at the same time. I love it and things stay fresh and exciting that way!.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Most people know me as a drummer. I grew up close to Vienna, Austria, and started music at a very young age. After graduating from the conservatory of Vienna, I moved to Los Angeles to expand my Music career.
The tremendous changes in the music business triggered by the Internet and technology made me start my own drum company, Galane Custom Drums, and think more like an entrepreneur rather than just a musician. I’m also a very dedicated fine artist and investor. Please check out my website www.galane.net for my detailed biography and art gallery.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
That’s a fantastic question. The answer is my instrument. Becoming a world, class musician, a real virtuoso, is a long and difficult journey. You get tested every single day and the instrument always holds up a mirror to you. If you don’t put in the work, you simply won’t grow and reach the next level. The endless repetition and daily practice it takes to master an instrument, and I’m talking practicing up to 8, 9 hours a day, builds up a certain resilience in a person. It’s a wonderful process and it teaches you that sooner or later, with hard work, self discipline and dedication, you can overcome any obstacle and have a break through to the next level. Just stick to it long enough. I pretty much approach everything in life that way and believe that self discipline is the key to everything you want. It’s also very important to me to live with a sense of gratitude. I’m very grateful that I could pursue something I love so much.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the biggest challenges in my life was navigating the collapse of the old music industry. One of a sudden everything was programmed, electronic music, no more record sales, studios closing left and right, mainstream audiences losing all interest in more sophisticated styles of music like jazz and fusion, which I always loved most growing up. It was very painful to see and realize, that the old-fashioned role of the band leader with touring and recording new albums year after year would simply not work anymore. I had to pick myself up and completely redefine my approach. Looking back now, I’m actually grateful for it because I started my own drum company, got into real estate, became an entrepreneur, stock market investor, fashion model and fine artist. But I never neglected the musical field. I’m still extremely dedicated, do session work, teach university and practice every single day. There’s so much variety now, It’s exciting and I love it all so much! I learned that being open minded and flexible is maybe the most important thing in life. Always be positive and think outside the box. Do what no one else did. Connect all dots and make something new out of it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Honesty, integrity, being reliable, and in general, try to do the things you do for other people not for yourself. Try to be a positive influence and make someone’s life better with your work. Once you realize that we are all here to help each other, many new doors will open. We live in this very selfish and entitled ME, ME, ME social media society now, and that’s why so many people are miserable. Just try to be a good person and hopefully inspire and uplift others.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I paint. Painting is such a healing activity, a therapy, a form of meditation. Everybody should paint! Some of the best days in my life are the art days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Galane.net
- Instagram: Galane_Official
