What its like-Music Industry Experiences
Want to learn about the music industry and what it is like being and working in it?
Read below to hear from people who work in the industry and what it is like to work with certain artists!
Dominique Taverna
Island Records
Artist: PUBLIC
Name the artist and what you do for them
PUBLIC – Product Manager
What was it like first starting to work with the artist?
It was my first project given to me since being put in the role of a product manager. Their song “Make You Mine” blew up on TikTok and I helped in working that song. I was nervous, but the band was eager to work and they were excited about this new chapter in their life, which made my job easy.
What is it like working around that artist now vs then?
We grew a great bond over time and really learned to trust each other. Working with them now is always fun and productive. They are a great group of guys who work extremely hard in all they do. Working with them then was amazing but time has allowed us to really understand what works best and how to navigate certain areas better than before. We grew confident in each other
What’s their work ethic when they are working vs when it’s having fun on the job?
They have an incredible work ethic, they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and put in the hours no matter what is thrown at them. All of them have a great sense of humor, so when we aren’t working there are always lots of laughs
What's been your favorite experience and most memorable experience being able to work with that artist on projects?
My favorite experience has been being able to see their record get certified Gold & platinum around the world. Most memorable was seeing this hard-working group of guys perform on Live with Kelly & Ryan. I was so over the moon for them at that moment, but also overwhelmed with excitement for their bright future.
Check out their socials:
PUBLIC Instagram
PUBLIC Twitter
PUBLIC Spotify
Dominiques instagram
Michael Schulz
Fender Guitar
Name the artist and what you do for them
I do all the deals with artists and Fender guitars for their Signature Artist program. I’ve done projects with artists like Billie Eilish, George Harrison, Shawn Mendes, Flea, Tash Sultana, Dee Dee Ramone, Joe Strummer, etc.
What was it like first starting to work with the artist?
A dream. I remember the first time Mark Hoppus emailed me like 14 years ago. I thought I had made it (I was an AR assistant at the time)
What is it like working around that artist now vs then?
There’s more data around artists that’s easily accessible so you can really do a better job of placing artists in the appropriate marketing budgets which is something that wasn’t accessible years back.
What’s been your favorite experience and most memorable experience being able to work with that artist on projects?
There're so many….. either singing on a Rancid record to going to Paris for Flea’s bday. Probably the craziest was dissecting George Harrison’s famous Psychedelic Stratocaster guitar at his Estate in England with his family who is dear friends of mine. It was an almost out-of-body experience!
Michaels instagram
Rob Gross
BMG marketing
Artist: NIGHTLY
Photo: Zach Pigg
what is it like working around that artist now vs then?
When we first started working together, it was a unique situation. I requested to take over the project at our former label (due to already being close with the guys and management) and immediately re-built the label team: Marketing, Digital, and Creative. We continued that relationship into our new label home, where I signed them as soon as I could. Pandemic aside, we've built their profile up exponentially over the past year, releasing their first full-length album (night, love you., which came out October 16th or last year and can't wait to get them back on the road ASAP!
With Nightly, it just feels like work IS fun. The boys churn out instant classics. They KNOW and understand who they are, who their fans are, what Nightly is and should always be. The two sides overlap in the most harmonious fashion.
What’s been your favorite experience and most memorable experience being able to work with that artist on projects?
The experiences are many. My favorite times with the guys are hanging on the patios at our favorite Nashville spots (Red Door East & The Crying Wolf) and just talking, building, planning, being absolute fools. I also loved a piece we put together about two years ago in Nashville, called A Day In The Life, where we shot the guys all day and into the evening, from Nashville key spots, rooftops, their original home in town, bars...and ending at their family home outside of town for dinner and a hang. That was special. That's what this is all about.
Nightly instagram
Nightly twitter
Nightly spotify
Robs instagram
Annalily
Island records
Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Name the artist and what you do for them
I worked with Sabrina Carpenter back in 2017 and I started working with her because I was a production assistant on a movie she was in and we just became really good at working together so while she was in Atlanta I helped manage some of her everyday life. She was fun to be around because she knew how to keep life easy going even in serious situations.
What is it like working around that artist now vs then?
She was incredibly focused on getting her job done so when she wasn’t working, she was getting ready for work. Whether it was music, acting, or promoting. She had fun doing it but when it came down to business, nothing got in her way. It was really rewarding to see that kind of work ethic because she knew how to play around and make sure work was a good environment to be in without being overwhelmed.
What's been your favorite experience and most memorable experience being able to work with that artist on projects?
I just really enjoyed being able to see the variety in working on a film set for a movie (The Hate U Give) and the behind-the-scenes of writing and producing music when she wasn’t on set. Its hard managing multiple jobs but she did it so effortlessly because it was everything she loved. It was just incredible to be a part of as a part of her crew but even more rewarding now that we’re friends and I can see both sides of that relationship
Check out their socials:
Sabrina’s Instagram
Sabrina's spotify
Annalilys instagram
Aysia Marotta
Photographer
Artist: Lewis Capaldi
Photo: Aysia Marotta
What was it like first starting to work with Lewis Capaldi?
Working with Lewis was incredible from the start. Joining his first US sold-out tour was such a wild ride and I instantly felt comfortable and at home with the entire crew.
What is it like working around that artist now?
I worked with Lewis for roughly under a year, on his US and international tours before COVID occurred. The entirety of my time with him and his team was the experience of a lifetime. We all grew together as such a strong unit and had a lot of laughs.
What’s their work ethic when they are working vs when it’s having fun on the job?
the best part about Lewis is that his work ethic is professional yet hilarious and behind the scenes, he’s even funnier.
My favorite and most memorable experience being able to work with Lewis-
The best experience I had with Lewis was when we traveled to New Zealand for one of his shows. The indigenous people of the country, the Māori greeted us upon arrival and welcomed Lewis to their country by performing ’Someone You Loved’ in their native language.
Check out their socials:
Lewis Instagram
Lewis twitter
Lewis Spotify
Aysia instagram
Abby Clare
DIMM entertainment
Artist: America Part Two
America part two
Name the artist and what you do for them
I work at a Management and Publicity firm called DIMM Entertainment and one of the artists I’ve worked closely with is America Part Two.
What was it like first starting to work with the artist?
When I first met America Part Two, they were about to go on a month-long tour to promote the release of their single “Talk It Out”. I was able to put together a press campaign for them and secure interviews/photoshoots/live sessions from magazines and blogs in the cities they were playing in. I was super excited because it was my first time doing press for a tour and they gained some new fans/friends through those magazines that went to the shows.
What is it like working around that artist now vs then?
Working with AP2 hasn’t changed much except for the fact that their team has grown immensely. They now work with Big Picture Media for PR and are signed to Revival Recordings. When I first started working with them, we did everything in the house and helped the brand grow to the best of our abilities. Now, the band is putting out an album next month with songs that they’re really proud of and represents them as a whole. It’s been great to watch all of their hard work as artists pay off and blossom into something bigger. I’m just excited to be even a small part of their journey.
What’s their work ethic when they are working vs when it’s having fun on the job?
The band always has fun whether they’re working or not; cracking jokes constantly and laughing with each other. It’s a great experience to be able to be in a business meeting where you know you’re going to have fun while working together on whatever task is at hand. The band is extremely driven and always puts 110% into whatever they’re working on at the moment.
What’s been your favorite experience and most memorable experience being able to work with that artist on projects?
One of my favorite experiences working with AP2 is when they were in the process of getting signed to Revival Recordings. It was a huge moment for them as a band and being able to be a part of the process was a really fun experience. My most memorable experience with the band was last February/March when they were kind enough to take me on a week-long tour with them as their photographer. It was my first ever tour and they were all so welcoming and willing to help me learn and grow as a photographer. I can’t thank them enough for trusting me and letting me have that experience with them.
Check out their socials:
American Part Two instagram
American Part Two Twitter
American Part Two Spotify
Abbys instagram