Gil Gastelum, founder and president of Cosmica Artists, shares his journey from record shop worker to successful label owner, highlighting the evolution of Latin music in the industry and his path to independence.

Growing up with Tex Mex music and oldies, Gastelum's musical perspective transformed after discovering Los Lobos, who blended traditional Mexican music with punk rock. This fusion showed him how Latin music could transcend cultural barriers.

His career began in record shops, where he developed a deep understanding of music production. A chance meeting with punk artist El Vez led to a summer tour across the States and Europe. Upon returning to LA, Gastelum faced homelessness, living in his truck for seven months while working at another record store.

His professional breakthrough came through an internship at MCA Records (now Universal), followed by a marketing position at A&M. After three years, he made the bold move to independent music, despite industry skepticism.

A pivotal moment came when Gastelum began managing David Garza, the same guitarist whose skill had once convinced him to abandon his own musical aspirations. Their partnership faced challenges, particularly after 9/11 and despite receiving critical acclaim from the New York Times.

Gastelum founded Cosmica Artists after Garza insisted on having his own label. He took out a loan and initially burned CDs by hand, eventually partnering with Redeye for distribution.

Speaking about industry challenges, Gastelum highlights the disparity in marketing budgets between Latin and general market artists, despite equal sales potential. He emphasizes how the industry tends to focus on success stories while overlooking emerging talents.

Today, at 53, Gastelum partners with Downtown Music-owned FUGA, appreciating their willingness to work with smaller labels. His passion remains rooted in supporting innovative artists who, as he describes, "can barely function in society but become absolute masters with an instrument in their hands."

Through Cosmica Artists, Gastelum continues to champion independent artists and challenge industry norms, particularly in Latin music representation.

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