Daily Inspiration: Meet Florian Gouëllo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Florian Gouëllo.

Hi Florian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from a small town in the South of France called La Palme – 2,000 people and a whole lot of wind. I got into music early, started playing drums at 4, joined bands by 10, and found myself in studios by 13. From the start, I was obsessed with sound and feel, not just playing drums, but how they sounded in a room or on a record.

After high school, I studied jazz and modern music at CMDL in Paris, and did an exchange semester at Souza Lima/Berklee in São Paulo, which really opened things up culturally and musically.

I started touring Europe in my early 20s with artists like Julien Doré, Georgio, Clara Luciani, and others – from pop to rap to bossa nova. At the same time, I was recording and producing drums for artists like Angèle and Adan Jodorowsky feat. Beck. A few of those records went platinum, which was wild to experience.

In 2023, I moved to LA to focus on drum production, studio sessions, and collaborations with artists from around the world. I now spend my days in the studio working on unique drum recordings that help artists push their sound further.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not always smooth. I’ve been lucky to work with amazing people, but the journey had its fair share of doubts and challenges. Early on, it was about figuring out my direction. I loved touring, but I also wanted to explore production, and finding my own voice as an artist beyond just being “the drummer.”

One big step was moving from France to LA. It’s a dream city for music, but it’s not an easy move. It took time, energy, and a lot of faith to get it done. Starting fresh in a new country, even with a solid background, means rebuilding your network and proving yourself again. But I believed in what I had to offer and felt LA was the right place to grow creatively.

What keeps me going is the love for what I do, the curiosity, the connections, the constant evolution. I see challenges as part of the story. They’ve made me sharper and more intentional about the kind of work and collaborations I want to pursue.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in drum production and studio drumming, whether that’s recording live drums for artists or producing full drum tracks. Over the past few years, I’ve also created drum loop packs, which introduced my production and recording work to a wider audience. That actually led to more artists reaching out for custom drum sessions.

I care as much about the feel as the tone. Both have to be right for the drums to serve the song.

I’ve toured arenas, produced for award-winning artists, and released drum packs used by producers across genres. But what I’m most proud of is the trust artists place in me to bring something personal to their music, whether we’re working in the same room or remotely.

What sets me apart is the hybrid approach: I’m not just a drummer. I’m also a producer, mixer, and engineer. I understand how drums need to sit in a track emotionally and sonically. That’s why people come to me, for drum parts that bring character, movement, and soul.

I also love creating tools for other producers, like my loop packs, which are recorded in character-rich rooms with analog gear and real performance feel. Everything I release is made to inspire, to be flipped, chopped, and turned into something new.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely see myself as someone who takes risks, not recklessly, but with trust in the process. My mindset is: “Jump, and the nest will appear.” I’ve followed that philosophy my whole life, and especially in music. Whether it was moving to Paris at 18, touring early on, or more recently leaving a stable life and career in France to move to LA : every big step has involved risk.

I’m constantly investing in my projects, time, money, energy… I believe if you wait for things to be perfect before making a move, you’ll never move. I’d rather take the leap and build as I go. That’s how real growth happens, both artistically and personally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.floriangouello.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floriangouello/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_7uZKrd1-nZjg6oXjQqiQ
• Other: https://www.freaknsee.com/management

Image Credits
Santiago Warren, Eugenie Pigeonnier, Goledzinowski, David Maurel