Industry Talk: GILT

Meet GILT, the Oslo based independent music company providing publishing and artist services for artists like sparkx and Jakob Ogawa.

Written by Rebeca 01.06.2018

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We had a talk with the partners of the company – General Manager Mia Hallesby and Head of Projects and A&R, Wendi Pendeza Kazonza. They run their one year old business from Oslo, where they provide publishing for the artist duo sparkx, composer Kristoffer Lo, as well as artist services for Jakob Ogawa amongst others.

What has been your focus lately?We have been focusing on finding out what kind of company we would like to be, and how we can achieve that goal. There is not a recipe for this, even though we would like it to be. So we are keeping our heads straight and learning every day from everyone. And yes, literally everyone.

The most important piece of advice you have ever received?Read books, articles and thesis – this will help you on the way when building something up from the ground. And set up meetings with people you would like to know and get valuable experience from, because it is very important to find out how the industry works, but it is still important to follow your guts. If you get a bad feeling about something, follow that instinct. And travel of course.

Your best industry-tip?Talk with people and get to know the market you are in. It’s one of the most valuable things to do. And do not forget to travel around the world. If you’re worried about money, don’t be. Everything will work out in the end.

What’s your golden moment to share with the rest of us?Getting to know good people who believe in you and the work you do. Somebody has to be asking the right questions at the wrong time, and that’s actually the way you learn the most and you will also be able to find the gaps in the part of the industry you want to work in.

Why Norway, why now?Why not? A lot of industry people from outside of Norway are talking about whats going on here. Us as Norwegians should take advantage of this. We do not know how long it’s going to last, so do the best of it asap.

Who in the Norwegian music industry deserves a high five?Everyone over 30 who did not get the opportunity to win the Nordic Music Biz 20 under 30. They have paved the way for us and other startups. Without them we could not do what we are doing now, and we are very, very, very grateful for that. All thanks to you – you know who you are. <3