Burgeoning musician forms band through practice, student network

Music is an expression of art that can be picked up in one of two ways. Some musicians are born with the skills it takes to play the guitar, piano, or whatever their heart desires. Then there are all of the other musicians who spend hours upon hours trying to hone their skills so they can do what they love.

Gabe Vitek is a musician who has worked hard to be where he is in the world of music today.

At an early age, Vitek knew there was something special about music.

“Music is just something that I innately have to do,” Vitek said. “I feel like it’s like water, air and music for me.”

School has always been a place for Vitek to find musical inspiration, whether it be through competition or meeting other musicians. Four years ago, he joined with Richard Scott, Blake Stratton and Joe Hoogerhyde to form Gabe Vitek and the Ivory.

“When I got to school, that was our band, and we did our first EP which was self-titled,” Vitek said.

As a student at Belmont University in Nashville, Vitek has learned more about what it takes to be a musician as well as how demanding the career can be.

“(Being at Belmont) has put me in this pool of really talented players which has really been pushing me to become a lot better,” Vitek said. “It’s a lot of work just to keep your head above the water here.”

While this kind of pressure may get the best of many aspiring musicians, Vitek has used it to his advantage in developing his sound.

“It makes me sure of the fact that … you just have to realize that if the stuff is good enough, you’ll have some success,” Vitek said.

Like any other musician/college student out there, Vitek has to work double duty to succeed in both areas.

“I just kind of have to stick it out, do what I can to get by in the classroom and play my shows on the weekends,” Vitek said. “It’s a lot of late hours and a lot of cups of coffee.”

Through years of practice and performing, Vitek has developed a sound that one might find similar to The Fray or Jack’s Mannequin.

“It’s kind of an alternative pop with elements of jazz and rock,” Vitek said.

Songwriting is something that comes naturally for Vitek, as he pours his trials and emotions on to each page of music.

“I’m just walking down the sidewalk … or sitting at a keyboard and something just starts to feel really good,” Vitek said. “Then I mold that into something that I might be going through or something somebody I know is going through.”

Although Vitek won’t headline a world tour anytime soon, he has gained popularity here in Tennessee. One of the biggest moments for the young musician was when he received a phone call from a friend.

“(I got) a call from some of my friends … saying that they had just heard one of my songs here in Nashville, and that was kind of a light-bulb moment,” Vitek said.

Vitek doesn’t get the chance to travel far for concerts often, but he makes the most of each opportunity.

“It’s just fun to share the music with new people every weekend,” Vitek said. “(Our concerts are) more of a show for people who appreciate good music and … it’s an uplifting feel-good show.”

Gabe Vitek will perform on 90.3 The Rock at 4 p.m. on Tuesday followed by a show at Preservation Pub at 8 p.m. that night.