Editor’s Note:
Humans of Terakeet is a spotlight series dedicated to showcasing the dynamic team of humans that drive our company to new heights. We invite you to meet some of the world’s (in our entirely humble and unbiased opinion) most innovative, passionate, and wildly talented individuals. We are proud to introduce Malik Gayle, who is a digital content specialist Terakeet. His manager, Aileen Manley, says Malik is, “Enthusiastic, driven, humble, kind, funny, and a fantastic writer. He is incredibly skilled at connecting to his audience. You can’t help but be drawn in by what he writes.” Read on to learn more about Malik, his love of music, and some of the amazing work he’s doing with his podcast!
Q1: How did you come to work at Terakeet? What is your favorite part about working here?
Before my time here, I worked at a non-profit as their social media manager/PR assistant. While I loved working with my team, I wanted to find a role that would allow me to strengthen my skills as a writer. I remember hearing about Terakeet and it felt like the perfect place to work alongside amazing people in a city I wanted to live in.
My favorite part of working at Terakeet has to be the great sense of community. I’m so excited to be part of a community of smart, driven, and kind people.
Q2: Tell us a little bit about Against the Algorithm! How’d you get started/what initially inspired you?
I hosted a radio show during my time in college that developed my interviewing skills and gave me the room to do long-form conversational interviews. After I finished college, I wanted to find a way to continue talking about my love of music. So I decided to create a podcast to talk to musicians — I love to chat about their work and find new music.
Q3: How’d you come up with the name “Against the Algorithm”?
I’ve always been interested in trying to find bands and musicians that really excite me. Nothing beats the feeling of finding a song that clicks for you emotionally. While streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple make it easier to discover new things, it is designed to keep you on by just giving you things it knows you will already like. You can’t beat the connection that comes from giving something new a shot.
Q4: What’s your favorite episode you’ve recorded and why?
This is a hard one! I’ve had so many great experiences with guests that it’s hard to choose one. If I had to pick, I would say one of my all-time favorites was my episode with Stef from Mise En Scene. The best episodes for me are those where you can feel a friendship form over a shared love of music.
Q5: What’s the best/most interesting thing you’ve learned from one of your guests?
Honestly, I’m interested in what platform each guest uses for their listening habits. It’s small, but it’s a cool insight into how these people who spend HOURS working on their music listen to music for enjoyment. I’ve only had one guest who actively uses both Apple Music and Spotify.
Q6: How does your podcast and interest in music shape life as a ‘Keeter? Do the two overlap at all?
The immediate thing that comes to mind is the running joke that I look like I’m ready to host my morning talk show because my mic is usually in the frame of my Zoom calls. But if I had to give a serious answer, it’s encouraged me to be a good listener. When hearing different ideas or receiving notes, I’m more than happy to hear them out and see where they go.
Q7: How has your podcast helped you find calm, excitement, or work/life balance through the pandemic?
I took a bit of a break when I first started working at Terakeet to make sure I got up to speed before jumping on the show. Now that the podcast is back in full swing, it’s been super exciting! I love having these fun conversations with artists whose work I appreciate a ton. I’ve had guests who’ve been on [the show] that have become friends over time! So it’s an experience that I don’t take for granted at all.
Q8: Do you have any tips for those looking to start their own passion projects?
The biggest thing I can recommend is making sure that you really love the project/topic you want to work on. There may be times that it can be challenging to continue, especially when life gets busy and there may not be any immediate incentive for doing it. Your passion for the project will keep you going. HOWEVER, always make sure to have a healthy balance of working on it and downtime.
Q9: What band/artist do you most want to interview, and why?
This question is a hard one. If I had to choose, I would say Porter Robinson. I am a HUGE fan of the direction he’s taking for his latest record. He does an amazing job of conveying the anxiety that can crop up when you are creative. I would love to chat with him about it and tell him how much his work has resonated with me.