Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Gardner.
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?
Hi! My name is Alexis, and I’m the founder and curator of the music discovery publication, Unite The Sounds.
Music has always been an emphasized aspect of my life. I started attending shows at a very young age, and though at the time I wasn’t sure where or how to become involved in the scene, I knew somehow, someway, the industry would be a part of my life. At the age of 12, I discovered a local band called And By Love. I would regularly attend shows every Sunday, take photos on a compact camera, and share their music with anyone that would listen. Fast forward to a couple of years later, that same band would attend Vans Warped Tour. As I become more fascinated with the act of discovering local bands, eventually, I would create a Facebook page used to assist these bands with promoting their work. This page didn’t last very long, but as they always say, what’s meant to be, will come back to you.
Over a decade later, July 2019 to be exact, I launched a music discovery platform called Unite The Sounds. My reasoning behind this launch? To reconnect with a part of my life and creativity, I’ve always held dear to my heart. Similar to my 12-year-old self, this launch involved sharing my favorite artists through playlist curation and project reviews. When the platform began to grow and catch the attention of the industry, I began to learn about roles such as A&R, PR, Artist Management, etc.
It has now been exactly 4 years since the launch of the platform, and the journey has been surreal. Given the opportunity to photograph artists such as Suki Waterhouse, Hayley Kiyoko, and Joshua Basset. Discovering emerging artists/bands, such as Beauty School Dropout, at their creation stage and watching them trailblaze through the industry. And most importantly, share the stories that artists are yearning to tell the world. 12-year-old Alexis is most certainly in awe.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Begin that North Carolina has the small end of the stick when it comes to music industry opportunities; it’s definitely been a hustling experience. Unite The Sounds truly allowed me to create a door in the industry that I wasn’t previously presented with due to lack of experience, based-location, or what have you.
From music discovery, platform design/branding, concert photography, and all other segments that fall under the publication, Unite The Sounds is a solo-driven platform completely done by myself. As a full-time student and employee, that can be a bit challenging at times, but the challenge has forced me to stay centered on my values for the platform and educational goals.
Nonetheless, I have been beyond blessed for how much the obstacles have allowed me to grow as a creative in the industry as well as how much the platform has solidified over the years.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In July 2019, Unite The Sounds was created to provide a developmental space for emerging talents in the music industry through playlisting, marketing, and developmental opportunities. Although I wear many hats due to Unite The Sounds, I believe I’m either known for being a curator or a photographer, as these 2 skills are the final products many see when they look at the platform. I feel that being a music curator and a concert photographer are often seen as “you either have one, or you have the other” skills. To be able to confidently say I have both and created a space to showcase those skills daily is truly a dream come true.
Through all the opportunities I’ve been able to experience, I’m most proud of the connections and relationships I’ve built along the way. I’ve created a community for musically driven individuals in North Carolina and beyond, and that comes with a joy that is everlasting.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
This journey has taught me how to look at life and work with the obstacles I’m given to my advantage. To take my dreams and wishes and put forth the work to turn them into a reality. To have true faith in my ideas, trust in my intuition, and have grace during the journey. Lastly, to give gratitude for where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unitethesounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisgardner__/ and www.instagram.com/unitethesounds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitethesounds
Image Credits
Alexis Gardner
