Aaron Hagele of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Aaron Hagele and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Aaron, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Listening to music on headphones always makes me lose track of time. Whether it’s the beat, the lyrics or the feeling that it gives me, I get lost in my own world. To find myself again, I just take off my headphones!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aaron Hagele and I am a Music Supervisor, Producer and Director based in Los Angeles. Along with my buddy and business partner, Tim Slowikowski, we created Merchandise Music, a music supervision company. What makes us unique is our background: We met at Second City Chicago in 2005 studying improv and sketch comedy. In addition, we produced and directed an award-winning music documentary “Party Dream’ that was released in 2022. We’ve taken all of those things, in addition to being huge music nerds to create a music supervision company where you get two for the price of one!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was in preschool during Halloween. My costume that year was Superman and our class got together to take a picture. We were all told to sit down but I stood up, hands on my hips, puffing out my chest. The teachers told me I could sit but I honestly thought, since I was Superman, that I was supposed to stand like that. Standing and posing for the class picture, I FELT like Superman.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I initially went to college to be a filmmaker but after two years switched my major to Elementary Education. My minors were English and History and combined with my teaching classes and playing for the volleyball team, I had a very stressful college experience. There were a couple of times where I felt absolutely overwhelmed with projects and tests where I just wanted to quit. I’d sit there contemplating quitting school, realize that wasn’t really an option, have a calm wave wash over me, take a look at what I needed to do in order of importance and attack it. I received my degree in Elementary Education and to this day, I’m extremely proud because it was not easy!

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d like to think so! Most people have a filter to some extent but I try to be myself no matter who’s around. I think my wife, family and friends would agree.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was someone who really loved life—that I loved my wife, my family, and my friends. Also that I loved music, cooking and having fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.merchandisemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merchandisemusicofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merchandise-music-53200a35b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Merchmusicreal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574887721465

Image Credits
Krista Deckrow (photo)