There is nothing like the chill that runs down my spine whenever I hear an incredible musical talent for the very first time. You probably experience this phenomena in your own way, but for me it begins in the spine and then makes its way to the tips of my fingers and toes. Before long, I’m entranced in the sound, with all the hair on both my arms standing on end. I rarely know exactly what it is about the song playing in that moment that causes this reaction, but over time I’ve found myself more or less living for those unpredictable instances when the stars align and a new discovery is made. I even made a career out of it, or I’ve tried to, and it’s still something I wake every day hoping to encounter.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not depressed or anything like that. All I am saying is that there are far better ways to pay the bills than writing about music for anyone willing to throw a few financial crumbs your way. People who make this line of work do so almost entirely for the opportunity to experience the feeling I attempted to describe above again and again. It propels us, driving home a sense of responsibility to find the next great sound because if we don’t there may never be another Morrissey to sing lonely hearts to sleep at night.
The Posture is a band born out of the ashes of several once promising New York groups. Their sound is the result of blending the heartbreaking simplicity of groups like The Cure with a large amount of modern alternative influence. They could fit in on Warped Tour just as easily as they could find success at modern rock radio, and the band’s debut EP, I Wish I Had, showcases five potential underground hits that deserve far more attention than they have received thus far.
You may listen to the songs featured in this post and disagree with everything I have said about this band, but that is no way means my thoughts on The Posture are wrong. Part of what makes music so wonderful and mysterious is the ability for a single song to impact people ways far too numerous to count. Some may listen to this band and find their next obsession, but others will listen and feel as if they have wasted some of their precious time on Earth. Still others might think it’s okay, but certainly not the kind of thing they would want to listen to on a regular basis. Everyone is right in their own way because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The important thing is that you gave this band a chance, and that is due largely to the fact I just brought them to your attention. Had I never mentioned The Posture you may have never heard them, which is an example of one of the many reasons countless talented musicians will never have their time in the limelight: People just don’t care enough to share.
Make no mistake: My complaint isn’t with the internet, or even the so-called ‘scene’ in general. It’s not your fault that you haven’t heard and begun to praise The Posture anymore than it is your fault you haven’t heard every Simon & Garfunkel recording. There is some degree of user error, and by that I mean you could probably find a jaded blogger to argue there is, but the blame largely falls on time, or lack thereof, and the various demands of life that minimize the amount of time anyone can spend enjoying art. Music discovery may be easier than ever in the digital age, but finding time to simply explore the latest musical offerings from around the world is increasingly difficult. That isn’t your fault anymore than it is mine.
What we must remember as writers is that music discovery is key to building a better entertainment industry and it’s our responsibility as influencers to play an active role in the sound that reaches the masses. Without taking the time to sift through the various music undergrounds of the world in search of the next great talent we risk running out of creative and/or original ideas to promote. It doesn’t take a person with a Master’s Degree in music to tell you the chart-topping hits of today are largely forgettable. That does not mean the music being released today is necessarily bad, but within two or three years no one will be talking about, letting alone, playing what is currently in heavy rotation at the radio. That is a dangerous trend, and its continued proliferation throughout the world of music only serves to further devalue the work of musicians everywhere, regardless of whether or not they create pop music. The only way to curb these efforts, or better yet stop them altogether, is to seek out and promote the innovative creatives with original ideas on where the future of music is headed. Then, and only then, can we make the people who read our work feel about music the way you and I do every single day of our lives. They want music to excite them just as much as you, but they need some help finding the talent capable of having that impact on them. They look to you and your work to be a supplier of fresh talent, and that is an honor most never recognize, let alone appreciate.
I initially discovered The Posture while spending an otherwise uneventful Thursday afternoon browsing Bandcamp while avoiding the responsibilities of my various freelance jobs. It wasn’t the first time I had been on the site for this purpose, and I am certain it won’t be the last. I know there are dozens, if not hundreds, of blogs dedicated to helping showcase new bands, but I’ve found I prefer the rush of blindly clicking around until I stumble across something whose inherent catchiness I simply cannot deny. It doesn’t always happen, and sometimes I have essentially wasted hours clicking from lackluster recording to lackluster recording, but when something like The Posture appears on your monitor all the lost hours and poorly recorded demos are no longer weighing on your thoughts. You have found your new muse, and for a short while it’s as if nothing else on Earth matters.
By not only seeking out fresh talent, but also promoting that talent to anyone willing to listen, we are writers are playing an active role in shaping the future of music. We’re plucking bands and solo acts from the grey of anonymity and telling the world “Hey, this is going to blow your mind,” which is something admittedly anyone can do, but for whatever reason you have put yourself in a position to say so with some semblance of authority. Music writers at every level of this profession can positively impact the lives of musicians and music fans alike by using their platform for conversation to showcase the latest and greatest art, but only a select few ever seize that opportunity and make the most of it. I can’t make you act differently, but I can plead with you to think not only about yourself and whatever clickbait style article you have been trying to pen to instead turn your attention to the world of underground music. Ventures through the charts on site like Bandcamp and Purevolume, find something great you never knew existed, and share it with the world. You may find something that changes your life, and by sharing it you may change or at the very least make a positive impact on the lives of others. You’ll also be helping a hard working artist, which is what we’re all supposed to do as writers in the first place.
I know I have written a lot at this point, so let me leave things by saying you never know how amazing the world of music really is until you get off your ass and take it upon yourself to explore all it has to offer. Once you do that, it is your responsibility to share what you’ve seen, heard, and found with others. They will do the same with the people they know and, over time, a new music business that was undeniably shaped by your input will emerge. You may never get credit for your discovery, but you will be able to sleep at night with the knowledge you made a positive impact on the world around you. At the end of the day, what more could you ask for out of life?
Hey there! Welcome to our blog. We thank you for finding time in you busy schedule to spend a few minutes on our site. The post you’re about to enjoy is the latest installment in our popular podcast series, Inside Music. If you like what you hear, the entire catalog of episodes can be found and enjoyed through iTunes. Subscriptions and reviews are always appreciated.
This site exists to promote the future of the entertainment industry, and to do that we need input from people like you and your entertainment-loving friends. If you have any questions about the content in this article, or if you have an artist you would like to see featured on this blog, please contact james@haulix.com. We can also be found onTwitter and Facebook.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Sudden Suspension vocalist Brandon Stasi to discuss his band’s promising and fast-moving career in music. Sudden Suspension recently announced their decision to sign with Bad Timing Records, and James asks Brandon a number of questions related to the band’s decision to sign, as well as what they have planned in the months and years ahead. If you love pop punk, or if you just want to learn a bit about how a label can impact a band life in a positive way, make sure not to miss this conversation.
The music you hear in the intro to ‘Inside Music’ this week is “Past Tense” from Sudden Suspension. You can learn more about that song, as well as the album it hails from, on Bandcamp.
You may already know this, but ‘Inside Music’ is now available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.
Hey there! Welcome to our blog. We thank you for finding time in you busy schedule to spend a few minutes on our site. The post you’re about to enjoy is the latest installment in our popular podcast series, Inside Music. If you like what you hear, the entire catalog of episodes can be found and enjoyed through iTunes. Subscriptions and reviews are always appreciated.
This site exists to promote the future of the entertainment industry, and to do that we need input from people like you and your entertainment-loving friends. If you have any questions about the content in this article, or if you have an artist you would like to see featured on this blog, please contact james@haulix.com. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell chats with Near Mint Records’ co-founders James Cassar and Corey Purvis. Together, the three discuss what it’s like running a record label in 2015, as well as the numerous ways Near Mint is working to stand out from their competition. The conversation eventually turns to the future, which is when Near Mint’s leaders share some thoughts on what they plan to accomplish and how they are going to make it all happen. If you ever thought about starting a label, or if you just want to know the realities of launching a business in music today, this is one episode you cannot miss!
The music you hear in the intro to ‘Inside Music’ this week is “Great White North” from Well Kept Things. You can learn more about that song, as well as the album it hails from, on the official website of Antique Records.
You may already know this, but ‘Inside Music’ is now available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.
The 2015 Launch Music Conference begins this Thursday, April 23, and as you probably already know the Haulix team will be participating in this year’s event. In fact, James got a haircut earlier today in preparation for his appearance on one of the many panels happening in Lancaster in the coming days. He wasn’t too thrilled about having to do so, but at least he no longer looks like a rejected wannabe actor who blew his audition for some off Broadway version of Scooby-Doo: The Musical.
What we’re trying to say is that we could not be more excited to be participating in Launch this year, and we want to make sure everyone in attendance makes the most out of their time in Pennsylvania. There are a lot of great panels happening, as well as dozens of potentially amazing live performances, but we have chosen five events we feel those headed to Launch absolutely must attend. Each pick represents a unique opportunity to either learn or better integrate yourself into the music industry at large, both of which will help you further your career.
To be fair, we have chosen to not highlight the panel we will be participating in as part of this list. You can find information on that event, which is called ‘Protecting What’s Yours,’ in the panel guide on the official website of Launch.
Serving as the first event on Friday morning and featuring a panel of six industry professionals, each with a unique background in music business, this discussion will focus on the value of a formal education in music. As people who deal with music education day in and day out, we can say first hand this is a question posed by students, aspiring professionals, and their parents on a regular basis. It’s a no brainer that everyone hoping to work in music should have some understanding of how the business functions, but where and how to receive that education is a debate that has continued for decades. These panelists might not settle everything in one hour, but those in attendance will no doubt learn from what they have to say.
There is an entire industry dedicated to helping bands and solo artists learn to not only navigate the music industry, but conquer it through the use of so-called groundbreaking marketing tactics. Whether or not those books offer any real advice that cannot be found online is a top for another time, but what we can tell you without a doubt in our mind is that there is no better place to learn about what does and does not work in marketing today then from the mouths and minds of the people marketing music for a living in 2015. This five-member panel, which represents talent from a variety of genres, will share first hand knowledge of marketing in music today, as well as where they see things going in the future. If you truly want to be on top of your promotional game, this may be THE must-see panel of the day.
Saturday at Launch 2015 is largely dedicated to what is essentially a ‘pop-up’ school of music hosted by Van’s Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman. For this specific event, Kevin will be conducting a one-on-one interview with Mike Mowery, Co-Founder and CEO of OuterLoop Management, about his work and the role of artist managers in music today. We’ve heard from many up and coming artists who wonder if they should have a manager at this point in their career, as well as what responsibilities they should assign to said manager if they do choose to hire one. This conversation will hopefully answer those questions, as well as provide insight for current artist managers about how they can potentially improve their efforts moving forward.
This is probably the greatest event in the history of music conference events, and that is only a slight exaggeration. Following days of education and advice, ‘Can You Handle The Truth’ offers musicians at every level of their career to showcase their music for a massive panel of industry leaders, including Kevin Lyman and MetalBlade PR head Vince Edwards, and receive on the spot reviews in front of a crowded room. It could be the best or worst day of your life, but you will never have an opportunity quite like this at any other music industry event you attend this year. Take a chance.
This is the last time the majority of the Launch Music Conference attendees will be in the same room together, and it’s your best chance to making a good impression on fellow industry professionals before returning to whatever place you call home. Make the most of this opportunity and greet as many people as possible. Ask what they do and, when asked, tell people what you are working on. Exchange business cards. Exchange Twitter handles. Do whatever you have to do to walk away from the weekend feeling like you not only learned something, but that you also met people who may one day be able to help you advance your career, or at the very least someone who you can turn to for additional advice in the future.
Just to be clear: Every event at Launch Music Conference is worthy of attendance in our minds. That is a fact we cannot stress this enough, but we do feel the items highlighted above offer something special that is only made possible at this gathering. Don’t miss out.
For the better part of the last fifteen years Nick Thomas has made a living performing as a member of The Spill Canvas, an emotionally-driven pop rock band whose six studio albums boast some of the most anthemic alternative songs in recent memory. That project more or less went on hiatus at the beginning of 2013 so that various members could spend time with family and focus on other projects, but Thomas’ focus remained squarely on music. He launched a successful Kickstarter campaign later that same year and, in 2014, released his first full independent release in nearly a decade under the name Nick Thomas Band. That project has been the top priority of his career since then, and just last month in Austin, TX Nick found time to speak with me, James Shotwell, about his recent experiences and what it’s like to start over in the world of music.
On a personal note, I must say that this interview made me more nervous than any other encounter in recent memory. As someone who graduated just as Thomas’ career with Spill Canvas was really starting to take off, I recall countless nights and long drives spent singing his songs of heartache and loss at the top of my lungs. I even vividly remember buying his second album, Sunsets & Car Crashes, from a then thriving Sam Goody. His music was the soundtrack to my life for a good period of time, and though my interest in his work has wained a bit in recent times my respect for his hustle has only continued to grow. In all my time as a writer I had never been fortunate enough to speak to Nick in person until this interview, and though we were not able to dive quite as deep as I would have preferred I think the topics touched upon offer great insight to where he’s at as a person and professional in 2015.
If you want to learn more about Nick Thomas Band, or if simply want to share your story of getting over your first crush by spinning One Fell Swoop three-hundred times while crying alone in your room (just me?), then please make it a point to follow Nick on Twitter. You can also pick up his latest album, Shadow Wars, from every major music retailer online.
H: When did you get into town?
NT: We got into town yesterday around two in the morning. It has been…it has been a good time so far. Our last show was in Anaheim about four days ago. We took our time, visited Disneyland, and yea – we had some fun.
H: Now this tour with Secondhand Serenade and Ryan Cabrera hasn’t been going on for very long at this point, correct?
NT: Yea, you’re about to see the fourth show. We played Sacramento, San Francisco, and Anaheim so far. It’s still new and fresh.
H: Oh wow, very new. How’s the road treating you this time around?
NT: It’s great, man. This is probably the highest profile support slot Nick Thomas Band has had since Spill Canvas took a back seat. It’s good to be in a place like this right now. We haven’t really had an opportunity like this for the new brand just yet.
H: Is it weird to refer to yourself in the third person as you did just now?
NT: Very weird. [Laughs] It’s so bizarre. So incredibly bizarre. I’ve had a few tours to get used to it from the interview and press side of things, but it is odd. I didn’t always have the band I have now, but we’ve got a solid lineup now. It must be even weirder for them, since they have to explain to their family they’re a member of Nick Thomas Band. Its become our official name though, so we’re making it work.
H: I noticed you got the light bulb from the cover of your debut release as Nick Thomas Band tattooed on your arm.
NT: I did. I have the light bulb from Shadowars on my arm now. I got that on our first tour for this project. We opened up for Paradise Fears on a small acoustic tour, and my drummer Bryce and I decided to get this piece done. I never got any of the Spill Canvas artwork tattooed on me, and I’m not really sure how that happened. I really like this piece though. This is a new chapter for me, and this kind of solidified that for me. It also made me want to get some of the Spill artwork on me as well.
H: Work backwards, if you will.
NT: Exactly. No Really, I’m Fine had some reel-to-reel tapes on it that I think would look really cool.
H: Speaking of Spill Canvas, the decade mark for One Fell Swoop is fast-approaching.
NT: You’re right. That album hits the decade mark in August.
H: That fact makes me feel a little old. I don’t know about you, but my world has changed SO MUCH since that time.
NT: You feel old? I feel really old. It’s cool though because it makes me feel like I have been doing something with my life. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday I convinced my parents to let me ditch college and focus on music. So now to be able to look back like this, it’s really cool. I’ve been doing something I wanted to do this whole time, and there is something special to that.
H: I think that time factor is odd when you consider this tour you’re on now. It’s a high profile slot for the new group, but you’re more or less the road dog amongst this group. How does that make you feel?
NT: It’s a little weird. You know, I’ve been on the road for a long time, but at the same time I probably spent almost two years off the road before getting this project off the ground. So, in a way, it’s new for us as well.
H: I know you have been playing a lot of Spill Canvas songs during your time on the road as Nick Thomas Band. Do you hear a lot of requests for a new TSC record from longtime fans? Does that bother you?
NT: We do hear those requests, but it doesn’t bother me. It’s nice to know people care. Plus, I think playing Spill Canvas songs is kind of a must. I have a decade-plus catalog with that band, as opposed to one record with this project. To know those Spill songs still mean a lot to people is really something.
H: Back to this project, when can we expect some new Nick Thomas Band?
NT: Yes, new solo stuff. I’ve been writing a lot, and we’ve been talking about starting to piece together the components of a new album. I have this other thing happening at the end of the summer I can’t really talk about yet, so once that happens and we’re on the other side of that effort we can work on recording something new.
H: You’re in a great place right now. Being free of a label it seems you can do whatever you please. If you want to release a Nick Thomas Band record every year you can, and you don’t have to seek the approval of a corporation to do so.
NT: Definitely. It kind of relieves the pressure, I think. We don’t have to meet expectations, or at least not as many of them. I don’t ever want to alienate Spill fans, but I do want to do something different.
H: At the end of the day, it needs to be fun for you as well.
NT: Exactly. It needs to be fresh. I think Spill Canvas, when we took a rest, we had done everything we could do at that point. I don’t know where it’ll finish, or even where it’s at, but for right now it’s on the back burner while I work on Nick Thomas Band.
A lot has been written about the supposed dire state of the music industry, but truth be told there are a number of successful and growing companies, including record labels, that are thriving in 2014. In this column we bring together every job opening we can find from the companies responsible for building the future of the business and present them to you, our reader, in hopes of aiding you on your journey to join the global music industry professional family.
Each Sunday we scour the internet for the latest and greatest job postings throughout the music industry. You can help us better serve our community by sending any job openings you find or have to james@haulix.com. Be sure to include the name of the company hiring, a detailed description of the position being offered, a desired start date, contact information, and any additional supplemental information you feel may be needed.
Job summary: The VP of Consumer Marketing is responsible for planning and implementing off-channel marketing campaigns for MTV. With a key focus on innovation in the marketing space, this position will manage the development of campaigns in support of all priority programming and events. The ideal candidate will actively employ data to inform the planning process, and to ensure that all plans have clear goals, and the creative approach needed to achieve them.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary: The Marketing Coordinator will be accountable for leading the development of the venue’s event and marketing program that includes new innovative ideas, talent recommendations, marketing partnerships, promotional activities, advertising recommendations, and VIP Host, social media and public relations coordination. This position will also execute the events and programs on-site. In addition, the Marketing Coordinator will be very creative and will find ways to increase customer spend and find new sources of business. The Marketing Coordinator will be responsible for the over-site of the venue’s brand, including market position against competitors.
Job summary: The Interactive Marketing Manager will be the main digital strategist for their own roster of artists and/or projects. They will craft and execute the digital campaign for those artists spanning promotion, social strategy, community engagement, e-commerce, and partnership opportunities with inter-departmental (marketing, radio, press, product development, etc..) input and coordination. They will continually look for new opportunities, services and platforms with which to partner and/or utilize. In addition to their work directly with artists, they will have a loud voice in forming overall departmental strategy and direction as operational digital specialists. Every campaign will come with mutually agreed upon goals and targets that the marketer will striving to achieve.
Job summary: New York Public Radio seeks a publicist who will work with the Senior Director of Publicity to develop and execute PR strategies and campaigns to reach consumer, trade and online audiences.
Job summary: To direct marketing focus & strategy, product development, label identity and artist relations for assigned RECORDS projects. The product manager will work side by side with the Co-founder- assisting with the execution of marketing strategies and artist development. The ideal candidate has an entrepreneurial outlook and will able to work creative and operational executives across all functions.
Job summary: To thrive in this role, you will love variety, work independently, communicate well and be super organised. Experience of working with digital media within an entertainment, broadcasting or publishing sphere is essential. The right candidate will have ability to oversee complex deals with and have the ability to negotiate and execute new business within a range of exciting new sectors.
Job summary: Reporting to the VP of Marketing, the Director of Public Relations will manage all corporate communications and messaging for Vevo. You will serve as the primary point of contact between the company, its executives and the press community for all Industry and Consumer press.
Job summary: This is an exciting marketing role focused on executing tactics to drive success for the TouchTunes sales team and B2B channel customers. You will work across business groups and leverage multiple marketing channels to drive engagement with the TouchTunes network of smart jukeboxes, mobile app, and other in-venue solutions.
Job summary: Complex Media is looking for a motivated and successful Account Director to join our leading young men’s platform. You will be a part of a top-notch sales team, selling integrated marketing programs across desktop, mobile, video, branded content and print. We have an entrepreneurial culture where you can lead the sales and marketing efforts for your client list. This role is based in our NYC mid-town headquarters.
Job summary: The role of the Digital Media Buyer is a day-to-day focal point and is tasked with executing digital media planning/buying and client service activities associated with assigned accounts. You will be integral in the development and management of effective digital strategy and media buying/. This role will report to the SVP of Digital Marketing.
Job summary: We have a new opportunity available for a Digital Account Manager to drive growth in market share, revenue and artist exposure across digital music platforms. Reporting to the Director of Digital Strategy, the successful candidate will develop sales and marketing strategy and create opportunities to further enhance Universal’s presence across these services.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary: The Licensing Marketing Manager will be responsible for developing plans and executing projects that support the Sales & Marketing strategy surrounding ASCAP’s Licensing team responsible for licensing the musical works of ASCAP’s members to hundreds of thousands of businesses – from traditional media to venues to online services. This includes day-to-day management of marketing and analytics for ASCAP’s Licensing pipeline from new leads to completed licenses. The Manager will collaborate with the Licensing, Product, Marketing and Website teams to execute marketing/communications, increase conversions, launch new initiatives, and track analytics, as well as facilitate an effective workflow between the Marketing Department and all other cross-functional teams.
Job summary: As our Creative Director you will: drive brand guidelines and standards, help us nail compelling online assets, raise our game on marketing site designs, consumer-facing content experiences, and asset for online ads, grab our customer’s attention through awesome email templates and compelling sales collateral, all while leading our team of ridiculously talented Communication Designers.
Job summary: Two New York-based musicians (Michelle Citrin and Galeet Dardashti) seeking Project Manager with a passion for working with artists. Starting date flexible – spring, 2015. $20/hour approximately 9-12 hours a week part time with room to grow. Work in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn based studio, with possibilities for telecommuting.
Job summary: Responsible for community development and campaign execution for a diverse roster of artists. Includes day to day promotional activities, creation and maintenance of artist web and social channels as well as coordination with partners overseeing web development, operations and production.
Job summary: The Marketing Coordinator will assist in developing and implementing marketing and advertising ticket sales campaigns and ABC media campaigns for CMA Music Festival, CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas and Songwriters Series through traditional media outlets as well as online and social networking mediums. Responsible for fulfillment of all advertising and promotional needs. Assist in developing strategic media partnerships and coordinate fulfillment of contracts. Responsible for general department support as needed.
Job summary: Full-time Publicity Manager is responsible for generating and executing publicity campaigns with online outlets and social media influencers. This includes press release creation, pitching and securing publicity for company’s client roster by generating relevant stories, securing interviews and mixed-media placements while keeping internal staff and clients up to date progress. This position demands high level project management and creativity. Familiarity with online and print media advertising is ideal but not required.
Job summary: The Licensing Marketing Manager will be responsible for developing plans and executing projects that support the Sales & Marketing strategy surrounding ASCAP’s Licensing team responsible for licensing the musical works of ASCAP’s members to hundreds of thousands of businesses — from traditional media to venues to online services. This includes day-to-day management of marketing and analytics for ASCAP’s Licensing pipeline from new leads to completed licenses. The Manager will collaborate with the Licensing, Product, Marketing and Website teams to execute marketing/communications, increase conversions, launch new initiatives, and track analytics, as well as facilitate an effective workflow between the Marketing Department and all other cross-functional teams.
Job summary: Manages all aspects of team sales efforts including, universe of prospective customers, existing customers and key accounts. Ensure continuing new business market penetration and preservation/growth of customer base.
Job summary: The ideal candidate will work closely with colleagues in Artist Services, partnering with a team of Producers responsible for artist websites and fan clubs. The Digital Marketing Manager will work with Creative, Engineering, Tour Marketing and other internal departments throughout Ticketmaster and Live Nation to execute on the artists’ digital strategy.
Job summary: This role is responsible for managing initiatives to support business development to drive Digital Licensing sales. This role will give direction to Sales for growing new business through targeted prospect areas. Included in this work is developing and delivering tools for significant business areas; sales lead generation, new licensee prospecting, prospect validation, market and service analysis, and music use memoranda. The role will also include managing others as needed.
Job summary: The Cleveland Orchestra is currently seeking a dedicated individual with a passion for music to join the Operations team as the new Operations Coordinator. This newly created position supports the Orchestra by coordinating the planning and implementation of concert logistics and assisting Operations Management in researching and planning orchestra needs for tours and runouts. The Coordinator will support concert productions and events at both Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center and assist with tour preparations. He/she will act as a primary liaison between external vendors and internal departments to communicate and secure production needs.
Job summary: The Director, Database Marketing will actively support the Company’s effort to acquire and leverage customer leads in the previously owned vehicle segment. This individual will manage a team of two, including himself/herself. The main focus of the role is to help SiriusXM acquire and evaluate customer names and addresses for new owners of used vehicles with inactive radios with the goal of marketing trial or subscription offers to those subsequent owners. On a monthly basis, SiriusXM acquires millions of leads through various sources: third party list vendors (3PL), service dealers (Service Lane), and others tbd. This group will be responsible for designing and implementing a database marketing strategy that can efficiently evaluate the best leads to activate and market to, based on external and internal data. He/she will report to the SVP, Direct Sales & Marketing.
Job summary: As Business Development Associate, you will play a key role in building our sales and marketing engine to support our fast-growing business. You will work side by side with our CMO to support all sales and marketing initiatives and will report directly to the CEO. Through high value communication you will work to establish the credibility of Jamplify and our brand within the live events market. You will make our organization top of mind for customers when they market and book concerts.
Job summary: We’re a unique collection of engineers, musicians, designers, marketers, and world-class sellers with a common goal: to enrich lives by delivering effortless personalized music enjoyment and discovery. People—the listeners, the artists, and our employees—are at the center of our mission and everything we do. Actually, employees at Pandora are a lot like the service itself: bright, eclectic, and innovative. Collaboration is the foundation of our workforce, and we’re looking for smart individuals who are self-motivated and passionate to join us. Be a part of the engine that creates the soundtrack to life. Discover your future at Pandora.
Job summary: Representative will generate revenue through proactive outbound and inbound calls with established accounts. In addition to making and logging sales they will assist customers with any non-credit needs such as product information and order tracking information when necessary. They will work closely with their credit representative, referring all billing and credit questions to that department. They will also follow up on leads for new accounts, utilizing information lists received from in-house reports and other sources. They will build and enhance relationships with accounts through consistent sales and service.
Job summary: You will work with the Music Editor and wider editorial team to deliver world-class news content for Shazam, specifically around headlines and picture selection, helping to deliver a compelling and successful editorial product for the company. A real all-rounder, you’ll be creative with words, images and treatment ideas on the biggest musicians in the world. This is a newly created role.
Job summary: You will act as liaison between music users and copyright owners. As a Licensing Specialist, you will call on dance schools, restaurants, bars, hotels and other businesses that play music in order to sell performing rights licenses.
Job summary: Recruits and assists prospective writers, publishers, producers and artists to BMI by performing the following duties either personally or through the direction of others.
Job summary: This position is responsible for assisting the Merch Production department. Admin, data entry, and work flow system support which includes sourcing Merch items online, accessing art files, creating PO’s, tracking production schedule and tracking shipments.
Job summary: We are seeking an individual with expertise, experience and deep passion for music. The person in this role will curate genre pages/channels on the PledgeMusic website and across our other music channels such as: Soundcloud, Spotify & YouTube. They will also be the conduit for determining the content and features for the PledgeMusic weekly newsletters. This individual will support PledgeMusic’s Head of Marketing and should have experience in monitoring social media, running digital marketing campaigns, data analysis and creating strategies for digital campaigns in music and entertainment.
Job summary: The Coordinator, Advertising will coordinate advertising initiatives for RED/’stache media by developing strategic marketing campaigns that not only drive awareness and sales for RED artists but also bring in additional revenue for ‘stache media.
Job summary: As a liaison between Market Manager, station Account Executives and advertising clients, the Sales Assistant provides general support to the radio/digital Sales Department including the preparation of recaps, sales reports, creating sales proposals, correspondence, sales pieces, competitive requests, faxing and/or emailing spot times to clients, answering phones, and maintaining contract files.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary:Bandcamp is seeking a mind-bogglingly talented individual for our design team to help us create new products and features, improve existing ones and make our site and mobile apps shining beacons of wonder for all who gaze upon them. You will design. You will code. You will have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of artists and their millions of fans each and every day. You will feel good. You will feel as good as I do right now.
Job summary: Seeking an Operations Manager who is responsible for the day to day and event operations at the newly developed Amphitheater in Nashville, TN. This includes but is not limited to de-winterization and winterization of the facility, managing event staff, reporting and maintaining incident logs, and on-site, day of show operations responsibilities.
Job summary: Reporting directly to the COO, the Digital Marketing Manager will be responsible for handling artist digital content management for all artists and the Latium brand.
Job summary: Reporting to the Head of Operations, CraveOnline, the Social Media Specialist is responsible for developing clearly-defined social media strategies in a manner that supports the CraveOnline.com brand as well as other CraveOnline Media properties. This position is responsible managing projects across all social media channels to help achieve our overall brand objectives and growth metrics.
Job summary: The Interactive Marketing team at Warner Bros Records spearheads all digital marketing initiatives for the label’s diverse roster including urban, rock and pop artists. They are responsible for building out the digital, mobile and social components of an artist’s overall marketing plan – including but not limited to: digital promotions, artist website development and optimization, fan acquisition and engagement, creation/implementation of digital tools and products to increase fan engagement, paid media campaigns, etc… Additionally, the team is relied upon to be industry-leading innovators in the digital space, anticipating consumer trends and substantive technological advancements.
Job summary: Reporting to the Head of Research & Instruction Services, and serving as a branch manager, the Music Librarian is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the Music Library. This includes circulation, reserves, collection management, cataloging, e-resource management, and bindery in conformity with Holy Cross Libraries policy. It also includes staff and student supervision, team participation and project management, campus liaison work, and participation in professional development.
Job summary: We are looking for a savvy Content Producer with strong video skills to join our growing Community and Content team. Working on digital and social channels of our incredible roster of Artists, the successful candidate will relish the opportunity to utilise their diverse experience in the hands-on production of video, photographic and written content. Reporting to the Community & Content Director, this position also runs the day-to-day management of the Universal Music Australia social channels.
Job summary: Pandora Media is looking for a systems-focused Business Analyst for our Revenue Operations Department. The right individual will be a key contributor to the overall Sales Technical Operations team with a focus on improving our internal sales software and driving aggressive efficiency for end users. End users of the systems include Sales, Client Services, Trafficking and Finance teams. The goal of this position is to support Pandora’s strategic initiatives with a focus on partnering with the Sales and Revenue Operations organizations to understand their priorities and pain points. The role will involve information gathering, business process analysis, system support, training and documentation, and measurement. The Business Analyst will partner cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, Quality Assurance and Enterprise Systems teams to build solutions and measure their impact.
Job summary: The Media Analyst provides the Membership department with statistical analysis and reporting on market share, competitive comparisons and royalty distribution summaries. He or she will maintain and build databases to provide and maintain large amounts of data for analysis and reporting. He or she will utilize Billboard, Mediaguide, Competitrack and other media sources for reporting on current trends within the industry. This ideal candidate will actively seek out data outside of the organization that will enhance relevant analysis and reporting. He or she will work with the Strategic Services department to provide recommendations to enhance or improve current methodology and practice.
Job summary: Recruits and assists prospective writers, publishers, producers and artists to BMI by performing the following duties either personally or through the direction of others.
Job summary: The ideal candidate will have direct experience or deep knowledge of the current entertainment marketplace and must demonstrate exceptional creative writing skills with a strategic marketing emphasis. Working as a creative team member, this person will help elevate the messaging effectiveness and style on all projects while maintaining alignment with the SiriusXM Brand. The Senior Writer will work closely with the creative team to create materials for many departments including Programming, Retail, Direct to Consumer, Automotive, Retention and Corporate. This is a hands on position that will include everything from direct marketing letters to television concept to channel naming to digital communications.
Job summary: The iHeartMedia Account Executive will identify and solicit new business; service and grow existing account. They are responsible for developing persuasive proposals in response to client needs and/or opportunities. They will guide their clients based on market, platform or station information. They are responsible for ensuring client satisfaction through cooperative communication. They will also negotiate rates consistent with iHeartMedia operating goals and budgets and ensure prompt payment. They will utilize all available iHeartMedia resources to create effective marketing campaigns.
Job summary: The VH1 Creative Department needs a hybrid, multi-faceted Full Time Freelance Executive Producer who can not only excel in overseeing the development of multi-platform Creative, but serve on the front-line of projects – acting as the face of the Department for all outward facing partners. This includes our “clients”, who are Show Producers but also, serve as accountable and expert ambassadors of our Creative within our own Department.
This role requires deep expertise in the Production and Creative Process including well-honed client-management skills to handle a fast-paced environment where things change in an instant and multiple voices needs to be accounted for.
Job summary: The candidate we select into this key role will have a proven track record in building successful partnerships as well as consistently securing seven-figure investments with FORTUNE 500 organizations. S/he already has an established reputation and track record of success, gained with any combination of major brands, teams or agencies, and is now looking to further enhance their reputation with one of the leading sports and entertainment companies in the world.
Job summary: The Global Social Media Manager will lead the development of the corporation’s social media strategy, and will oversee the execution of plans and tactics around the globe.
Job summary: This successful sponsorship sales professional will be responsible for creating and selling branded, high-impact music marketing programs across our music properties.
Job summary: The Ad Sales Coordinator is a key member of the Ad Sales team, supporting all aspects of the sales process as well as providing general administrative support to the Vice President of Ad Sales and the ad sales team.
Job summary: Pandora is looking for an Associate Program Manager to play a critical role in driving and managing concurrent projects related the successful roll out, communication, and commercialization of changes to ad products, system and platform updates and process improvements. This is a highly cross-functional independent contributor role that will report into Sales Technical Operations and combines aspects of project management, product marketing, marketing communications, and training.
Job summary: AM is looking for a senior media planner to run several accounts out of our New York office. This digital client service superstar is adept at anticipating client needs and always maintaining an excellent relationship at all times. This candidate needs to be able to coordinate online media campaign efforts seamlessly with all internal teams (media, accounts, creative, etc.) as well as the client. The senior media planner will also be responsible for assessing client goals and providing them with a clear, effective game plan to achieve them. They will be responsible for developing an intimate knowledge of their clients’ business and ensuring that all aspects of the overall strategy are in place at all times.
Job summary: Bright Marketing offers outstanding career opportunities in one of the world`s most successful companies in the retail and events sales industry.
Hey there, everyone. Welcome to our website. We are happy you found a few moments in your busy schedule to spend browsing our content, and we hope you find something amongst these many articles that aides you in your professional journey. Before we get there however, we might as well share what has been the soundtrack to the last week of our lives. Check it out:
Each and every weekend we like to take a brief break from our regularly scheduled programming to update and reflect on everything happening at Haulix HQ. We are far more than a music blog, as many of you already know, and posts like this give us an opportunity to share more our efforts with all of you.
Development news:
You already know the Haulix development team has been working hard to build a new version of our platform, and that our goal is to have a finished ‘2.0′ ready to go by the end of the calendar year. You also know that we believe this to be a process that will take a little time to show results, and that is why I have no new developments to share this week. Progress continues, and it always will, but until we have something substantial to relay we probably won’t share too many details. The wait will be worth it, though. We promise.
Blog news:
The last few days have been pretty crazy for the blog side of our efforts. With the start of Launch Music Conference less than a week away, James has been working around the clock to prepare the content that will run while he makes the journey from Boston to Lancaster, PA and back again. If you happen to see a Ford Focus with Michigan plates traveling between the two, likely with Young Thug or iwrestledabearonce blasting from the stereo, it may be James. Say hello (unless you’re a cop. That would be weird and incredibly unnerving).
In case you missed any recent content, use these links and catch up before a new week of posts arrive:
That is all the time and content we have to share this week. Tune in next week for an interview with the Spill Canvas, two new Inside Music podcasts, and a bunch of coverage from our time at Launch Music Conference. Until then, have a safe and fun weekend.
Hello, everyone. Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to spend on our blog. The post your about to read is part of our long-running artist advice series, and like many of the posts in this column the entry you’re about to enjoy was written by a band with experience in the topic at hand. This week’s guest authors are Fox & Cats, a promising young pop rock outfit from Texas with a new record titled ‘Ampersand’ due out next month. Click here to learn more about the band and their plans for the future.
When Nicole and I decided to play music together as Fox & Cats we actually intended to play as a four-piece. When we found it difficult to find reliable people to fill the extra spots we ultimately agreed to press on as a two-piece. This turned out to work really well for us for quite a while. We only had two minds collaborating on the project, which made it easy to set out clear ideas when it came to song writing. It also made it extremely easy for us to travel around. All of our equipment fit perfectly in the back of Nicole’s Toyota Tacoma, so we never had to worry about parking a trailer or taking multiple cars out to shows.
Being a two-piece also gave us a bit of an edge for our live shows. People seemed to be drawn to the fact that it was just the two of us up there making all that noise. It wasn’t until December of 2014 that we finally started playing with the idea of adding other musicians in to the mix again. Being a two-piece had its perks, but there’s just something so satisfying about a driving bass line to fuel a song. I also have this habit of hearing lead parts that should be filled by guitar and keys in my head when we write and play shows, which creates this hole that I feel compelled to fill. So, we had a show booked at Scout Bar in Clear Lake, Texas for The Texas Buzz award ceremony and we decided this show should be special since we were nominated for two categories and had been fortunate enough to be asked to play. For the first time in almost 4 years we performed as a four-piece and it was extremely satisfying to hear the parts I knew should be there but hadn’t been before.
Since then we’ve continued as a three-piece, keeping our friend Chris Dunaway on bass. We’ve already been working on new material and it’s very clear how much creative freedom having an additional member will allow us. After all, some of the best songs ever written are fueled by badass bass lines. Just imagine ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ by Queen without that sweet, sweet bass. Having an additional member on full time is also a huge help when it comes to touring and playing shows. Hauling around gear, dealing with merch and making long drives between cities can be quite a handful with just two people. It has definitely given us some perspective and allows us to truly appreciate having another set of hands.
The biggest challenge when adding additional members to a band is finding people who share the same musical vision and who also are able to fit in and get along well with the current members on a personal level. That’s the main reason it’s taken us as long as it has to add new members to the band. We truly got lucky with Chris and we hope to continue to grow and build our live sound as we move forward
Hey there! Welcome to our blog. We thank you for finding time in you busy schedule to spend a few minutes on our site. The post you’re about to enjoy is the latest installment in our popular podcast series, Inside Music. If you like what you hear, the entire catalog of episodes can be found and enjoyed through iTunes. Subscriptions and reviews are always appreciated.
This site exists to promote the future of the entertainment industry, and to do that we need input from people like you and your entertainment-loving friends. If you have any questions about the content in this article, or if you have an artist you would like to see featured on this blog, please contact james@haulix.com. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Launch Music Conference foudner Jeremy Weiss to discuss his upcoming 2015 event. This is the seventh year for Launch, and during their coversation Jeremy tells James about the origins of the conference, as well as his long and diverse history in the music business. Haulix is one of the many companies participating in this year’s Launch event, and we would love to see you there. Visit www.launchmusicconference.com for tickets and additional event information.
The music you hear in the intro to ‘Inside Music’ this week is “Exs and Ohs” from Atreyu. You can learn more about that song, as well as the album it hails from, on the band’s official website.
You may already know this, but ‘Inside Music’ is now available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.
Meghan Trainor may have made a mint with her platinum-selling hit “All About That Bass,” but it’s the singer’s approach to working with photographers that has the industry talking about her latest tour.
Recently, a scan of Trainor’s official photo/video release was uploaded to the internet. These forms are common in music, as they outline what photographers can and cannot do while shooting a performance, as well as how said photos may be used down the line. You can view the release in question below:
There are three different ‘terms’ that each photographer must first agree to before being allowed to photographer Meghan Trainor. The first is a basic boiler-plate message that explains how the photographer shooting the show is the responsibility of the publication which assigned them to the event. This is one of the most common terms found on forms like this, and so far no one has questioned its inclusion in this release. The second and third terms however, are another story altogether.
Starting with term #2, all photographers hoping to photograph Meghan Trainor must provide a copies of their work to her label, Atom Records, upon request. By doing so, photographers also must agree to relinquish all rights to their work, which is a fancy way of saying you must give all of your work to Meghan Trainor and her team without compensation. Furthermore, Atom Records and Meghan Trainor will now have the right to use your work, without crediting you, however they see fit.
Term #3 further restricts photographers by not only relinquishing their rights as content creators, but by banning the use of their work on any site or article other than the one which they were assigned to create. So if you were hired by Billboard to photograph Meghan Trainor for a concert review, then the only place your work is allowed to appear is in that review. Any additional use, even for personal portfolios, must be approved by Trainor and her label in advance.
If you were to ask someone working with Trainor to explain why the place so many restrictions on photographers, they would probably respond by telling you something about how they hope to protect and otherwise shape Trainor’s public image. By not allowing photographers to post their work wherever they please, the team behind Meghan Trainor believes they will be able to better control the conversation around her and her music. This may be true, but it also stifles creativity and turns the art of photography into something commercial that is being created solely to promote a new talent. That isn’t what photography is supposed to be about, even in the world of music journalism, and those with enough experience to know better are the ones who make sure their concerns over release forms like this are known.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t photograph Meghan Trainor. If you’re on assignment you should definitely do the work you agreed to, especially if you’re getting paid. All I’m saying is that you need to be conscious of the forms you’re asked to sign and what the terms being agreed to will mean for your creation. You may take the best photograph of your life while watching Trainor perform, but other than placing that photo at the top of your assigned piece it is likely it will never be used elsewhere. If it is, the chances of you actually being given credit for your work are about 100 to 1. I want to believe Trainor would be kind to the photographers who make her look good, but whether or not her team believes there is any reason to do so is another conversation altogether.
The lesson here is this: Always read release forms before you sign them. If something rubs you the wrong way, or if you have any questions about certain stipulations, ASK QUESTIONS. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand and don’t work just so that others can use your art without giving you credit or compensation. There are a million other artists in the world, and most of them would love to have you photograph their next show. Heck, they might even let you keep your work.
