On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls iwrestledabearonce vocalist Courtney LaPlante to discuss her band’s upcoming album, ‘Hail Mary.’ The two discuss the origin of the new record, as well as the messages found on its fourteen tracks, and the way the sound of the album marks yet another evolution for the unpredictable metal band. Whether you’re a longtime fan of IWABO or someone who has no idea who they are, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
The music you hear in the intro to ‘Inside Music’ this week is “Erase It All” from iwrestledabearonce. 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.
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 special mini episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell speaks with music critic Jesse Richman about the new Kurt Cobain documentary, ‘Montage Of Heck.’ James and Jesse both saw the film together during its SXSW premiere, and now that the movie is becoming available for everyone to enjoy they decided to hop on a call to discuss what many are calling the greatest rock documentary of all time. Whether you consider yourself a Nirvana fan or not, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Here is the film’s latest trailer:
The music you hear in the intro to ‘Inside Music’ this week is “Come As You Are” from Nirvana. 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.
Just when you thought the world of music discovery could not possibly be more crowded, Instagram has introduced @Music, a company operated account the photo-sharing social network will use to showcase musicians and music lovers in the Instagram community.
Here’s a little introduction to @Music, which was written by Instagram Founder and CEO Kevin Systrom on the company’s blog:
The music community is –– and always has been –– an important part of Instagram. For the past four years, we have become the home for artists big and small –– a place where people across the musical spectrum come to share stories, reveal their creativity and connect directly with fans.
Today we’re launching @music, a new account dedicated to exploring music around the globe, from those who create it to the community around it. Each week, we’ll take a look at the musical experience on Instagram. That means showing you a different side of artists you know and love, like Questlove (@questlove), and introducing you to up-and-coming talents from around the world, like Tricot (@ikkyu193). It means highlighting music photographers, album illustrators, instrument makers and, of course, fans. In the Instagram tradition, we will also welcome community participation with a new, music-themed monthly hashtag project.
Music is a huge part of all of our lives here at Instagram. It’s a passion of ours, and we know it’s a passion of yours. So follow along at @music –– we think you’ll discover something new.
According to a press release distributed to the press this morning, Instagram now has over 300 million users. Of those, the company claims more than 25% of the most popular accounts are run by, or related to, musicians. That makes a lot of sense when you consider nearly every major celebrity uses the platform to share scenes from their life, and that at least some of those famous people have to be musicians. Taylor Swift, for instance, posts selfies and other updates multiple times every day. Beyonce, who actually has the most Instagram followers out of everyone with 31 million (plus), often shares intimate family scenes that would otherwise never see reach the public eye. It’s all promotion, but it’s also voyeuristic, and the combination of the two has created social media giant.
“Artists are using Instagram as a companion to the art that they’re making,” said Jonathan Hull, Instagram’s head of music partnerships, in an interview with BuzzFeed News. “Musicians lead really interesting lives, and Instagram has become a way for them to show their fans who they are and to give them a look inside of their world.”
Starting tomorrow, the @Music account will be updated twice daily, Tuesday through Sunday. Content will include short profiles of featured artists and a mix of editorial series, including one offering 15-second music lessons and another spotlighting independent artists in cities around the world. The company also hopes to break new talent through their efforts, though how they plan to support them beyond a single mention has yet to be revealed.
Right now, users spend around 21 minutes per day on Instagram on average, and the company believes that figure can be improved with high-quality editorial offered at dedicated channels. By adding editorial spin to their artist profiles, Instagram is hoping to become a music hub for people, which in turn will lead them to spend more time on the service. More time equates to more opportunities to deliver advertisements, and that creates additional revenue (regardless of whether or not any promising young talent is helped along the way).
I want to believe the team at Instagram has their hearts and minds in the right place, but until we see @Music in action we won’t allow our hopes to get too high. This project could easily be ruined by a rise in promoted posts and paid placements that push out the little artists, and given the way Instagram is looking to raise revenue that possibility does not seem out of the question.
There was a time two or three years ago when it was unclear whether or not the podcast movement would gain any traction on a large scale, but those days have long since become a distant memory. Following the success of This American Life’s true crime series Serial last year, the world was unable to deny the increasingly large audience for podcasts, as well as the increasingly crowded marketplace of shows being created. Unlike radio, which comes with standards and practices everyone must meet, not to mention the high cost of equipment, podcasts are something anyone with even a passing interest in radio can create themselves using the microphone and internet connection found in their cell phone. The barriers to entry are as low as possible, both for content creators and those who enjoy the entertainment they provide, so there is no reason you should be missing out.
I have been listening to podcasts for the better part of five years, but it was until 2014 that I began to enjoy programs that were created for any purpose other than pure entertainment. There is nothing wrong with listening to a carefree show, of course, but as someone who is passionate about learning I wanted to know what kind of education and/or thought-provoking series may be in existence that I had never previously known. The answer I found is that there are many great podcasts filled with useful information to share on essentially every topic imaginable. If you want to learn about human history, there are shows for that. If you want to listen to people discuss every episode of The X-Files one episode at a time there is also a show for that. If you want to be better about how you spend and save your money, there are a ton of shows addressing that topic. If you are into…Okay, you get the idea.
Surprisingly, the world of music and music business is one of the small circles in podcasting today, but it’s growing at an unbelievable rate. It is unlikely anyone could find time to enjoy every show in existence today, but I have done my best to experience as many as possible, and below I’ve highlighted the 12 shows that stood out to us as being both entertaining and informative on a regular basis. Some are hosted by bloggers, while others are hosted by musicians and/or industry professionals. Each has something great to offer, and if you’re willing to pay attention you’ll more than likely learn something for each as well.
Hosted by Ray Harkins, this podcast features in-depth interviews with music professionals young and old from the independent music scene. Our own James Shotwell has been on the show in the past, well as people like Shane Told (Silverstein), Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), and Buddy Nielsen (Senses Fail). If you want open and honest conversations about what leads people to the world of music, or if you just want to learn more about the people who shape the independent scene, this is the show for you.
Claiming something created by NPR is not worth your time is not exactly a shocking revelation, but that doesn’t make it any less true. NPR actually has a number of great podcasts currently being offered, but Tiny Desk Concerts is the one I make sure I never miss. Each episode, a different artist hunkers down at Bob Boilen’s desk and performance a short set of songs for the NPR staff, as well as the audience at home. The show has a video component if you wish to see such a thing, but listening to the audio is just as good.
This is one of the many podcasts to feature PropertyOfZack founder Zack Zarrillo, and it’s the one I recommend you never forget. Co-hosted by producer extraordinaire Jesse Cannon, this show focuses on current events in the music industry, as well as emerging trends in technology and they way it applies to the world of entertainment. You never know if an episode will be lighthearted throughout or filled with information that could change your career trajectory. Either way, you will walk away entertainment.
Modern Vinyl has become the go-to site for vinyl news and release information that literally everyone I know visits on a regular basis. The site’s podcast, which is hosted by founder Chris Lantinen and frequent contributor James Cassar, adds to the experience with even more record talk, as well as special guests, and a healthy amount of self-deprecating humor.
I have always been fascinated by the way music impacts different people in different ways, so it only makes sense that I would love a show that makes exploring that phenomenon the entire purpose of its existence. Your Favorite Album, which is hosted by Adam Santiago, each episode features a different guest discussing their favorite record. It’s a simple concept, but the way each conversation evolves is entirely unique. I have found many great records listening to this show, and I’ve also learned to appreciate some titles I already loved in new ways.
A lot of websites have podcasts these days, but AbsolutePunk was one of the first alternative outlets to get a show that is actually worth listening to off the ground. Each week, founder Jason Tate joins longtime contributor Drew Beringer and (more often than not) Thomas Nassiff for an in-depth look at the week in music. The guys often discuss other topics as well, usually relating to discussion that were popular on the AbsolutePunk forum. Whether you’re a regular visitor to their site or not, this show offers unparalleled insight in the latest happenings in the alternative realm.
Interviewing musicians is a fine art that takes many hours of work to master, and longtime freelance writer Jake Denning is one of the best working today. This Is What I’m Into finds Denning speaking with a variety of musicians he enjoys about their careers and where they hope to find themselves in the future.
Tom Mullen is an emo god. With this podcast, Mullen seeks out and interviews the people who were responsible for the emo movements of the 90s and early 2000s. In a time where everyone seems obsessed with the here and now, Mullen uses his show to trace the roots of the emo genre, and along the way shares the real life experiences of those who laid the foundation for the music scene we enjoy today.
No one ever said it was impossible to laugh while also learning something worthwhile. With Who Charted?, funny people Howard Kremer and Kulap Vilaysack review the most popular music and film with special guests like Reggie Watts or Paul F. Tompkins. The educational value isn’t quite as great as some of the other shows on this list, but it does offer some (often hilarious) insight into what’s popular in our culture right now.
The only thing better than reading an album review is listening to two critics debate the same album for upwards of an hour, right? If you agree then you may need to add Sound Opinion to your podcast schedule right away. The show, hosted by critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, reviews music new and old. There are also guests, interviews, and surprise in-studio performances. If you want to be a better critic, listening to how these two talk about music will certainly aide you in that effort.
Originally called ‘Outside The Lines with Rap Genius,’ The Cipher is a hip-hop oriented podcast featuring interviews with legendary and contemporary favorite from every corner of the rap world. There is a shockingly small market for hip-hop podcasts that aim to dig deeper into the music, but The Cipher does just that. Previous guests include Scarface, Smoke DZA, 88-Keys, and Sage Francis.
Matt Pryor and his bandmates in The Get Up Kids made music history with the release of their album Something To Write Home About, so it only makes sense that Pryor pay homage to that iconic record with the title of his music-centric podcast. Each week, Pryor interviews one of the many interesting people he has met over the course of his time in the music industry. Some are punk celebs, while others are people who may never have been brought to your attention without a show like this first existing. Pryor’s experience as an artist gives him a unique perspective on interviewing others, so no matter who joins him you know the conversation will always be good.
Did you know we also have a podcast? Each week, Haulix marketing coordinator James Shotwell welcomes guests from around the world of music to discuss their careers, their advice for others, and where they see themselves headed in the future. It’s an open dialogue that can go wherever the guest chooses to lead, and we think there is a lot to be learned from the experiences of those we choose to have on the show. James says he wants the show to be the Marc Maron’s WTF of music podcasting, but we don’t think he’s there quite yet.
Growing up the only child of two parents who moved from Ohio to Michigan out of necessity rather than choice when I was just making the transition from elementary to middle school, making friends was not something that came easy for me. I was kind, sure, and I had no problem interacting with other kids at school. For one reason or another however, when the final bell rang I almost always went home alone and spent the evening entertaining myself and/or hanging out with my parents. This is not a complaint or another tale of teenage ‘woe,’ just a statement of fact so you know where my story begins.
When I was a teenager my parents urged me to get more involved in church, and I did. I participated in youth group, which met every Wednesday, and through doing so I met other lonely kids who never felt like they fit in anywhere else. Understanding how it feels to be on the outside looking in, even when you’re just a tween, was something that bonded us and helped forge a friendship of sorts that unfortunately does not exist today. We each grew up and grew apart. Some people stayed in that town, but most moved away. I think I distanced myself the most.
Around the same time I got involved in the church I also began growing more interested in music as a business, though I’m not sure I framed it that way at the time. There were venues in our area, though most required a ride from my parents to access, and whenever I could I would beg the people who brought me into this world to accompany me to a rock show. They would oblige because they’re seriously some of the greatest parents in the world, and together we would take in live music from artists at every level of success. Most groups had their roots in religious music, but that mattered little to me at the time. It was music all the same, and it fascinated me. Not just the sound coming from the stage, but the way it brought people together while simultaneously lifting their collective spirits. I remember recognizing the fact there was something special to that from a young age, and in a way I’ve spent my entire life trying to share it with others, as well as better understand it.
What I have learned, and what I was fortunate enough to discover at a young age, is that music cultivates community in a way that few other art mediums are able to accomplish in this day and age. Most think of a community as a physical place, but that is only one definition of the term. A community is also defined as being a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. When you’re in a venue watching a band you love surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of people who feel the same way you are a part of a community. You can feel the energy of the room, both in the roar of the crowd and the indescribable way the sound pouring through the speakers inexplicably improves your mood. You don’t even have to be sad to feel the change. Good days are made better by music, and great days are made unforgettable. Not just because of what is happening on stage, but because of what is around you. There is something beautiful and incredibly powerful about that, and it may surprise you to know that same overwhelming sense of power and happiness can be found on the business side of music as well.
Last weekend, as those of you who read this blog on a regular basis no doubt recall, I traveled to Pennsylvania to represent Haulix at Launch Music Conference. It’s a three-day event intended to inform and inspire those who dream of making music their career, with panels filling each day and unforgettable performances capping off each night. This was my first year in attendance and I admittedly had no idea what to expect. I had been to other conferences, including numerous trips to SXSW, but for some reason I knew none of that would prepare me for a trip to rural Pennsylvania. What I found, and what this trip helped me to remember, is that sometimes the greatest communities arise from the least likely places.
Friday morning I was speaking as a panelist on the second of many panels that would be happening that particular day. The topic of my panel was protecting what’s yours in the digital age, which in my case meant talking about Haulix and all we do to combat piracy. It was a great experience, with a surprisingly large crowd in attendance, but when it ended I thought my day was pretty much at an end. It was barely after noon, but for whatever reason I thought I had said my piece and everyone would just want to move on.
I was wrong.
Not long after stepping off stage I was approached by some people who simply wanted to say they had never heard of Haulix, but would definitely be checking it out. That was more than enough for me, as it meant I had (hopefully) done my job well. Then another person came up with a question about watermarking, then another about piracy in general. All good conversations, but nothing I hadn’t heard before.
Then it happened. Out of nowhere a group of five or six young men approached me with hands outstretched for introductions. We exchanged names, which I immediately knew I would struggle to remember, and one of them began to explain how they were all longing to start their own record label. The catch was, they all happened to be part of a music tech program at their college, and they wanted to use their on campus studio as a place to record the talent they would release on said label. This meant any products made, or releases distributed, would also need to go through the school approval process. They couldn’t just ‘start a label,’ but they also knew a traditional label structure would never be approved by school administrators. It was a question unlike any I had heard before, and almost immediately after hearing it I felt a wave of excitement sweep over me. Not because I had the answer, but because I could sense their drive to succeed and have their label become a reality.
In the minutes that followed, the students and I discussed a few ideas on how they could skirt around a typical business model while still running a quote/unquote ‘real’ label that administrators could get behind. I don’t know that we found an actual solution, but we probably spent upwards of fifteen minutes discussing various possibilities and what might happen if they were further explored. I even met a professor from their program, and he chimed in with some thoughts of his own. After that, I noticed two publicists in the room I knew and asked them to share their thought, and before I knew it our group had almost doubled in size. If everyone at the conference made up a community simply because we all were passionate about music, then this group was a subset of that community who had come together to solve one goal. Most of us had no stake in whether or not these kids could start a label, but we sensed their passion and it made us excited to help them succeed. We wanted it for them as much as they wanted it for themselves, and I don’t think I even put that together until I was alone in my hotel room hours later.
The energy I felt during my time with those students didn’t end when our conversation came to a close. In fact, I walked away feeling as if my mind were racing with fresh ideas for my own projects. Somehow by feeding off the passion and energy of the group I had caused my own thought process to find new paths to creativity, which lead me to solve a number of problems I had been facing in my own professional life. I was so inspired, in fact, that I grabbed my notebook and took it to dinner with me, and spent over an hour in a bar writing page after page of plans for the future of Haulix.
At one point the students who asked for help with their label appeared at the restaurant. We exchanges pleasantries, but no further discussion was had. I think we could each sense the other was using our mental notes from the prior conversation to plan for the future, and we respected one another’s need to get those ideas out of our minds and onto paper before they became impossible to retrieve memories.
I don’t know if it was the fact those students chose me to ask about their label, or if it was being at the conference in general, but something about being surrounded by like-minded people who shared a similar passion for music inspired me to work harder at accomplishing my own goals. Like the scene you find at a great concert, there was an energy to Launch that was palpable, and if you focused hard enough I swear you could feel it propelling you forward, urging you to push harder and fight for what you know you can achieve. I think we all need that kind of energy in our lives, and the only way to find it is by getting out of our comfort zones and interacting with the global music business community whenever possible. This may be possible through computers to an extent, but nothing holds a candle to the awesome power that can arise from working alongside other individuals passionate about music in a shared space. That is where community thrives, and it is where you too will thrive if you give it a chance.
We are taking a small break from the industry advice and interviews to talk about something very important to everyone here at Haulix. Some of you may know Jonathan K Dick. He’s a writer who has had his work featured in a variety of publications, including Stereogum, Noisey, NPR, and Pitchfork. He’s also the founder of Steel For Brains, a fantastic metal-centric website we legitimately visit every day of our lives.
By all accounts, Jonathan is a great guy, and that goes beyond his profession. Everyone we know who knows Jonathan K Dick swears he is one of the nicest and kindest souls you could ever hope to meet, which is why we wanted to bring attention to a very serious situation currently impacting his family in hopes of convincing at least some of you to help however you are able.
Jonathan’s children are his world, his end-all and be-all, and he is a joyously loving, accepting, goofy, and devoted father toSolomon, Elijah, and his youngest, his little warrior princess, Hannah. Here is a recent family photo:
Recently Hannah has been dealing with severe medical problems, leading to an extended hospital stay and uncertain future. She has been diagnosed with ciliary dyskinesia, an incurable genetic lung disorder that means that she will have to undergo daily breathing treatments for the rest of her life.
It’s also left Jonathan with a mountain of hospital bills. His insurance won’t cover all of it, and an Alabama teacher’s salary ain’t what it used to be. Hannah has further tests to undergo, as well, so the family still has a long road ahead.
With all this in mind, writer Kim Kelly (otherwise known as Grim Kim on social media) has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover some of the many costs associated with helping Hannah receive the medical attention she needs. The campaign is seeking to raise $20K, and in three days the amount received has already surpassed the $10,000 mark.
We know as well as anyone that money is tight for most people in music, but if there is anything at all you can spare to help out Jonathan and his family we urge you to do so as soon as possible. No parent should ever have to worry about whether or not they can afford to give their child the help they need, especially someone as wonderful and giving as Jonathan.
The music business may seem large on the outside, but in reality it’s a very tight knit group of people who have discovered the key to success is not only working together, but also supporting one another when someone falls on hard times. Jonathan K Dick and his family are part of our community, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have everything they need to be happy, healthy, and together. Please join us in making that possible. We don’t have anything to offer as a thank you, but know we appreciate everything you are able to do.
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 – and sometimes on Monday if things get crazy – 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: Join the Boston Symphony, in a dynamic position as the Associate Director, E-Commerce and New Media that encompasses the management, implementation and creation of all internet and New Media platforms. You will be responsible for supporting the overall marketing strategy by utilizing a variety of online and media platforms to enhance the corporate brand, explore new initiatives and enhance revenue content opportunities. To be successful, you will need to be a creative self-starter who can analyze and adapt new technologies and strategies to support the overall organizational goals.
Job summary: Key administrative support person for day-to-day digital marketing in the Digital Media & eCommerce department, focused primarily (but not exclusively) on our broad “urban” roster of artists, covering rap, hip hop, R&B, and beyond. Experience in community development, editorial/content and marketing support. The ideal candidate is interested in the intersection between consumer online behavior, music and technology. This person reads blogs (tech / entertainment / lifestyle), installs every new app just to try it out, and has a passion for leveraging the Internet to drive artist careers and revenue. They live on social media, lifestyle blogs, and discover new music in interesting ways.
Job summary: We are hiring a person, not a position, for the Sound Productions marketing team. We believe in providing every tool and opportunity to our team members and growing them for success. We don’t have employees, only team members, and are very proud of that. We invest in each of our highly effective and talented team members for their professional growth and aligned goals with the other Sound Pro teams.
Job summary: Our Seattle, WA-based client produces pro-audio and music products with brands known worldwide! The company is currently expanding their product lines, incorporating mobile devices and cross-platform UI applications within specific digital products. If you love music (or the technology around making music) and have experience building mobile apps (iOS/Android) you will love joining their engineering team.
Job summary: While iHeartMedia employs over 20 thousand worldwide, the iHeartRadio Division based in New York City runs more like a startup. We are looking for a Director of Digital Monetization to serve as the key touch point between our digital product and national sales teams. This role will be instrumental in identifying digital revenue opportunities and developing our go-to-market strategies. You will work with a variety of key teams including editorial, programming, operations, sales and marketing groups and have the opportunity to meaningfully impact the revenue line of a growing organization.
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.
A new week has begun, and if you’re anything like the Haulix staff then you’re relying on the latest and greatest music to motivate you enough to get out of bed and explore all the world has to offer. We don’t blame you. We also like to party hard on the weekends. In fact, we love it almost as much as we hate waking up early on Monday for work, but if we have learned one thing over the last nine years it’s that you have to work towards your dreams every single day if you hope to have any chance in achieving them.
This week, we’re relying on Between The Buried And Me to provide the motivation needed to propel us through the ling list of tasks we have each been given for the week ahead. Metal Blade Records has long been a client of our, and BTBAM are one of many fantastic bands on their roster who plan to release new music in the months ahead. You can stream the band’s latest single, “Memory Palace,” above. If you like it, and we know you will, then you need to head over to Metal Blade’s online store and order a copy of the band’s new album, Coma Ecliptic, right away.
I’m a morning person now, but I didn’t start off that way. I cannot tell you when I made the transition from one to the other, but these days if I am still in bed at 7AM then my day is considered off to a rough start. The first day of panels at Launch, as well as my last full day at the conference, did not begin until 1030AM.
After drafting some content for the Haulix blog and checking my various inboxes, I ventured into the city of Lancaster to see what I could find. The treasure I discovered on this particular excursion was Ida’s Cafe, a tiny restaurant tucked away at the very edge of the city limits. It was small and decorated in a style you only find when you’re a stone’s throw away from farm land. I was the youngest customer. Actually, I was the youngest person in the entire establishment by an easy twenty years, which is saying something when you’re closer to 30 than 25. Still, the food was amazing and the staff was kind. I told my waitress I would blog about her. She smiled that generic smile every server in every restaurant masters and replied, “That’s nice.”
(Quick note: These are banana and walnut pancakes. It’s the best pancake combination you’re not already enjoying. Trust me)
After paying my bill and making my way back through the city streets, I returned to the Marriott lobby just in time for the Haulix sponsored ‘free coffee and donuts’ event. Every attendee at the conference was welcome, and I got to interact with a number of interesting people. I also received about a dozen business cards, all of which are with me now. In 2015 you would think we had a better way to exchange information, but here we are, doing the same thing Don Draper does in a show set four-five decades before the time we live in now.
If you look at the background of the photo above, you will notice the chairs at the very back of the area at Launch used for panels (it also moonlights as one of many stages for bands at night). Whoever setup the floor plan for Launch was smart to put these two events side-by-side as many people grabbed their free breakfast and made their way to the morning’s first events.
Launch doesn’t overload attendees with programming options. There are panels during the day and performances at night. The set times for bands overlap, but the panels do not. There is only one event at any given time, so every attendee looking to do something can be found in that one place. This makes for bigger crowds at panels, as well as more concentrated opportunities for people to network.
The photo below was taken before the first panel began, so don’t mind the empty seats. They were quickly filled.
I was part of the second panel of the day, which focused on protecting artist’s creations in the digital age. We focused on copyright law, revenue streams, anti-piracy efforts, licensing and more in just under an hour. It was over faster than I thought, but fun nonetheless.
Afterwards, about a dozen people came up to ask questions regarding Haulix and our plans for the future. I spoke with people of all ages, and each had a story to share about why they were concerned about the security of their music moving forward. I even met a professor from Mansfield College with a group of students hoping to start a label on their campus (hi!).
I wish I had the words to describe to you the energy that surges through you when speaking with others who are passionate about the same things that matter to you. There is an excitement to the air, and it serves to thrust you forward in your efforts. It prepares you for ‘launch,’ if you will. Standing in that room listening to panels, sharing experiences, and learning about the dreams of others filled me with a lot of inspiration and drive to further pursue my own endeavors. I cannot encourage those of you reading this now enough to seek out similar events and gatherings focused on your passions.
Following a full day of learning I headed to the Federal Taphouse for pizza and a place to work outside the confine of my hotel room. Being at Launch was a great experience, but as I mentioned above it also fueled my desire to further my efforts on my own projects, including Haulix efforts we have yet to make public. Feeling the drive to work, I concluded pizza and hard cider would be the perfect fuel to propel me to get all my ideas onto paper.
What you’re seeing above is a BBQ chicken pizza with jalapeños, red onion, and avocado. I know the avocado may seem a bit unusual to some of you because it did to me when I placed the order, but let me tell you – it makes a world of difference. It balances the heat of the jalapeños perfectly, and it takes the whole BBQ pizza experience to a new place. I know this is a blog about a music conference, but this pizza changed me.
(Shoutout to our friends at Fixt Publicity for this notebook that I now use for article notes and world domination plans.)
Following dinner and work I headed back to prepare for a night of concerts. I knew I would have a big drive the next day, but I still managed to see a number of great performances. I will admit there is longtime fan bias in the statement I’m about to make, but my night was made when Atreyu hit the stage. It was my second time seeing them in two months (the other time being at SXSW), and they sounded as good as ever once more.
By the time I made it to my hotel room again it was after midnight and I was one Strongbow cider beyond my reasonable limit. I hit the bed, passed out, and dreamed about watching a Kevin James film I loved. It was a beautiful, yet terrifying affair as it meant either Kevin James had somehow become tolerable or that my taste in cinema had been dumbed down to a point far beyond repair.
All in all, it was incredible.
Thank you, Launch Music Conference. Let’s do this again next year.
I woke early Thursday morning with the knowledge I would travel well over three-hundred miles before my head hit another pillow. I also knew that when that time came it would happen in a place I hadn’t been since I was a child for reasons I never really expected my life to present, but I was excited nonetheless. My bags were packed from the night before, so all I had to do was show, grab a quick bite to eat, and hit the open road.
Well, hit the road, anyways. With Boston traffic you never really hit the ‘open’ road until you have been traveling for ten or thirty minutes.
Six hours and several more bathroom breaks than refueling stops later I found myself in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the start of the 2015 Launch Music Conference. I visited Lancaster with my parents once as I child, but driving down King Street yesterday afternoon I couldn’t tell you a thing about what I saw or did the last time I was here. It’s a city unlike any other I can recall having spent time in, with aging brick and stone structures lining the tightly knit city streets. All signs of commercialism are kept at bay, with chain restaurants being kept on the edge of the city while an abundance of local eateries, markets, shops, fill in the center. If it weren’t so cold it might snow you would think it picturesque, but even with the near-freezing temps it’s far from hard on the eyes.
Once at the Marriott Hotel downtown (which is gorgeous inside and out), I grabbed my room key and hopped in line to await my Launch Conference badge. It was only a little after the start of registration, but to my surprise there was already a nice line of folks young and old lining up to learn more about the music business. I kept to myself, collected my things, which surprisingly included an electric orange backpack, and made my way up to my room to recover from my travels.
As many of you probably already know, the funny thing about trying to plan rest amidst a busy trip is that those attempts rarely, if ever, go as planned. Before I could think about taking a nap or hopping in the shower my curiosity over the bright orange backpack I had been handed at registration got the better of me. I dropped my luggage, tossed the bag on the bed, and took out every promotional item, note, and gift that had been included. As a panelist at this year’s event, my welcome bag was a little more over the top than what a regular attendee might receive, but I’m told both gifts are filled with great stuff. Here is what my bag had inside:
For the record, yes, that is a bottle of Fireball Whiskey. There is also a bottle of Buffalo Trace Whiskey, as well as a bottle of water from Citizens Banks. That’s at least 2 drinks and 1 water I no longer have to pay for. Party on, Wayne.
I put my collection of goodies back in my bag and took a quick shower to freshen up for the night ahead. There were no panels to attend, but well over a dozen bands performed throughout the city of Lancaster. I spent the majority of my time at Tellus 360, a venue by the hotel, and during my time there I caught a killer set from Marshall Young Band. Another promising act called Matt Wheeler’s Vintage Heart. I highly recommend giving both bands a chance to impress if your schedule allows.
By the time I was out of the show it was relatively late, but I did cross paths with our friends and clients from The Catalyst Publicity Group. We met in the Marriott lobby and many hugs were exchanged. This is the second time we’ve met up in six weeks, as we all saw each other in Texas, but you won’t hear any of us complain. Everyone working in music is so incredibly busy all the time it’s often rare to see some of your closest industry friends more than once or twice a year, if at all. Events like Launch allows us to reconnect while still keeping on our grind, and I know everyone gathered in that lobby last night has big plans for the days ahead.
I’ve got to end this now as I’m a little over an hour away from my appearance on the launch panel ‘Protecting What’s Yours.’ I’ll chime in tomorrow with updates on today’s events, but you can follow my every move by following Haulix on Twitter. I have a personal account as well, but for the purposes of this weekend Haulix will have all my best thoughts. Talk soon!
