Today we’d like to introduce you to David McClean.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started producing music in 2008. Didn’t start playing live until 2022. Founded my art gallery in 2024. Started curating music and art events every two weeks for 1.5 years straight. Founded my record label in 2025. Also started filming in 2025. Have worked with countless creatives and associations across greater Greensboro through music, art & film. Most recent achievement was a music video & short film selected for programming at Sunset Film Festival – Asheboro. Was a featured artist in the music video that won Best Music Video at said festival.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Hmmm, definitely staying on top of finances. Since I’m mostly a one man team when doing my curations, I had to find a balance between my day job that pays my bills and my career outside of that, art/music/film. Making sure I had the funds aside for digital marketing and physical flyers for promotion. As well as any equipment I might need
We’ve been impressed with Gate City Gallery / Mechanist Recordings, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gate City Gallery was my first business. I established a physical art gallery within a local bottle shop and curated monthly rotating solo exhibitions for 1.5 years. Every beginning of the month was a gallery opening event. Every middle of the month was a community oriented event focused on collaboration and networking with local creatives and likeminded individuals. After the venue changed ownership I pull the physical gallery project and recalibrated the business into more community curation focussed efforts. Vendor markets mainly as well as sponsoring events with art and A&R for local artists I’ve worked with in the past.
Mechanist Recordings is my second business which focusses mainly on the production, recording and publication of music projects as well as takes care of the musical aspect of all events Gate City Gallery hosts. No event is complete without music after all 🙌🏻✨
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Community, Collaboration, Communication. These three things are pivotal to fostering deep connections with prospective clients, venues, & likeminded creatives. With a focus on creating environments and platforms to set artists up for success, or at the very least give them more experience in the world of independent art business and sales.
Pricing:
- No pricing, all of my events are free and funded almost entirely out of pocket.
- Most if not all events rely solely on good time management, communication, and boots on the ground efforts
- We do fundraisers for local nonprofits from time to time but never turn anyone away at the door due to lack of funds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Instagram.com/snoffthemaker
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/gatecitygallery and Instagram.com/mechanistrecordings
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@snoffthemaker
- Soundcloud: https://SoundCloud.com/snoffthemaker
- Other: https://Snoffthemaker.com
