An Inspired Chat with Gustav Hoyer

Gustav Hoyer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Gustav, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
The growth of communication technologies into every facet of our lives has had the counterintuitive effect of making us more isolated from each other. This is not a secret, but the corrosive effect of having more and more in-person relationship replaced by hyper-convenient, screen-mediated engagement leads to a greater sense of loneliness and isolation. It is a counterfeit for the healthy imposition of other peoples’ presence, schedule, agenda, and ideas into our lives. It’s hard to recognize the loss of real-world interaction in the midst of so much freely available digital distraction, but I have recognized this truth in my own life and it is directly informing my artistic work now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a musical artist who creates shared experiences in vibrating air, for that is what music is. In contrast to the saturation of bite-sized musical decorations of our public life, I focus on making real-world, shared encounters between people. Thoughtfully engaging new art works, including unfamiliar types of music, is an act of courageous intent. It asks a person to leave behind that which is safely familiar and risk something new. That something may or may not facilitate a deep love of the new art work, but reaching out into the world to discover and encounter new works leads to a richer life. My classically inspired music uses different musical techniques than those we usually hear in modern music, but within it lies mysteries, passions, and ideas to feel and share. I am developing a new set of offerings that allow non-musicians to create rewarding connections with others, facilitated by journeys into my work. These packages are not only recordings, but entire scripts for unforgettable evenings together in person with friends.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My dear friend, Stephen Ashely Blake, a filmmaker and thinker encouraged me as musical artist that helped me overcome the desperate difficulties in creating and sharing new classical music. As a fellow artist of powerful intellect and deep insight, he challenged me to confront my own artistic doubts and the temptation to retreat from the challenge. He won’t let me get by on just technique and habit. He pushes me to enter the fullness of my artistic voice without apology.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
As an artist in a long and celebrated tradition of classical music, there is an overwhelming presence of the monumental works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. To write anything in this style is to instantly enter a terrifyingly deep pool with the musical legacy of these unique people. The shadow of their musical styles and accomplishments threaten to silence and crowd out the new. It took faith and a willingness to fail to even start to share music as a young student, especially not being a child phenom who titillates the curiosity of the public.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Jesus of Nazareth, a 1st century Jewish carpenter in Galilee. He earned the right to be the first voice before all others by predicting his own death and resurrection, and then coming back to life in one of the defining events in world history. To this day, his words shape and divide lives.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Creating new musical works. Those that truly last can only be known by the generations that come after the one who created them. To create them is to believe that the work of making is itself rewarding, and any outcome beyond that is guided by forces outside of my control or understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gustavhoyer.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/gustavhoyercomposer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustav-hoyer-9809552/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gustavhoyer.composer.impresario/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ghmusic/featured?disable_polymer=1