Rising Stars: Meet Gavin Cole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavin Cole.

Hi Gavin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been acting and making music since I can remember. I started performing in musicals at the age of 8 and never looked back. By the age of 14 I was performing leading roles in shows. Upon graduating high school, I attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where I spent 4 and a half years honing my craft. While in college I joined my first band, The Letter 6, which was soon rebranded into Off and On Again. As a band, we released a three-song EP and one single. At the end of 2018, I moved to LA to pursue film and television acting. All the while continuing to work with my former bandmate, Matt Burridge, releasing music as a solo artist. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is always full of twists and turns. Things are never easy. Coming from the East Coast and moving to LA to pursue acting is a tale as old as time, and my tale is no different. I’ve always believed that the struggles are not the important thing to focus on, but rather how you handle those tough times.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor and singer. My music takes influence from the early 2000s pop punk scene, and pop artists like Jon Bellion, Knox, and Charlie Puth. On top of those musical influences, I feel that having a song tell a story is paramount. With my background in musical theater, I find establishing a narrative to be second nature. 

I think what sets me apart from other artists is my emotional vulnerability. Not just in my acting, but my music as well. I think the best way to connect with fans is through emotion. If I can make one person believe that they are not alone in the way that they are feeling… I’ve done my job. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people have helped me get to where I am now. The obvious mentions are my parents, who have always supported my career. My producer, Matt Burridge. Without whom, I truly couldn’t do any of this. 

Ranjiv Perera, the greatest acting teacher I’ve ever had. 

And while we’re in the topic of teachers. We unfortunately live in a country where the arts are all too often the first on the chopping block when budgets get tight. Yet we spend more time listening to music and watching movies and shows on streaming services than we spend outside. I couldn’t have made it to where I am now without the AMAZING music and theatre teachers I’ve had growing up. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Reallygavincole.start.page
• Instagram: Instagram.com/reallygavincole
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1c6ePQVHaKWUrhQ7pJ077p?si=AUYcNFJERgy-t15fvHO8-Q

Image Credits
Andrew Heaberlin
Sara Schlosser
Marc Cartwright
Doug Catiller
Harrison White
Emerson Taylor