Today we’d like to introduce you to Florian Gouello.
Hi Florian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started playing drums at the age of four, growing up in the South of France in a 2000 people town called La Palme. It’s by the Mediterranean Sea close to Spain. I had my first studio recording experience at the age of 13 and first band at the age of 11.
I studied in the famous Jazz School ‘Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood’ in Paris for three years, including an exchange during one semester in Sao Paulo (Souza Lima & Berklee).
I then started as a session musician touring in France & Europe with artists including: Julien Dore (french Pop), Georgio (rap), Clara Luciani (french pop), and Pauline Croze (bossa nova, pop).
I also started producing for artists such as (Xavier Polycarpe) and recording drums for artists such as Angèle, Adan Jodorowsky feat Beck, Georgio, and Julien Doré. Some of those records were awarded in France and got multiple Platinum Certifications.
I moved to LA in August 2023, mainly for drum production & studio session work.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is always struggles along the way, dealing with doubts and which direction I wanted to take artistically. I got to a point in France where I got comfortable touring with amazing artists, but I wanted to experience being in a place like LA. My dream is to participate to amazing records and be known for my playing but also the way to record and produce drums. Making the moment unique sharing ideas in the the room with artists, and bringing my energy and passion to other people’s ideas and music is what excites me.
Changing a country is difficult for many reasons, starting with getting a visa (O1-B visa, the most flexible but also difficult to obtain as an artist). I took time and money but I sorted it out because I have faith and passion. The rest went pretty smoothly, connections are great and easy in LA. People like new approaches and that’s why I felt I had to come here!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Drum Production, Drum recording and as a studio drummer. I also tour as a drummer, produce music, Music Direction & Ableton Live programming. I’m known for that, but I’m mainly developing the studio aspect of it, designing drum loop packs under my name Florian Gouello, and also for the platform Splice, which gets me to connect with more producers and artists to hire me to for creative drum tracks for their music and productions.
I’m super proud I had the possibility to play on one of France’s biggest tours of 2022 with Julien Doré (arenas cap 8000-18 000) and then make the move to LA with already incredible connections in the industry here. I’m surrounded by kind, creative, and passionate people, which is the ideal environment to evolve as a human. I want to bring joy to the world!
What matters most to you?
Friendship, love, true connections, passion, family, conversations, sharing experiences, honesty. It’s what makes living beautiful, getting to know different people, hearing their stories, understanding their feelings and backgrounds… It’s a way to be more caring, tolerant, open-minded to appreciate and navigate the unknown and the surprises of life!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @floriangouello
Image Credits
Personnal Photo: Léa Gouello Additional Photos: Photos 1,3 @Goledzinowski Photo 2 @Nkruma Photos 4,5,8 @David Maurel Photos 6,7 @Danielle Ernst
