Month: July 2016

Categories
Job Board News

Music Industry Job Board (7/31/16)

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 2016. 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 week 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.

New openings:

Social Media Coordinator (Hopeless Records – Los Angeles) 

You will be doing anything you can to help Hopeless Records and our artists while upholding our company principles. Specifically you will be a member of our marketing department focusing on social media and online content:

  • Manage social media content/communities, email marketing, and web properties.
  • Create & execute social media marketing plans for all album & single releases, contests and special events.
  • Create digital marketing assets including promotional copy, graphics & short videos.
  • Track, analyze and communicate social & web analytics.
  • Assist marketing department in day to day operations.
  • Event coordination and tour marketing.

Communications & Graphic Coordinator (Music City Center – Nashville) 

This position will have the responsibility for coordinating key communication functions for the Convention Center Authority. Position will also be responsible for performing a variety of specialized and administrative functions to increase the Music City Center’s visibility through assistance with the appearance of all MCC print and electronic materials, conceptualizing, writing, and implementing collateral materials, client presentations, advertising, web site development, direct mail campaigns, video and new releases, and developing materials and interacting with internal/external clients to deliver MCC’s message to the public and the media. Responsibility will also include writing, posting, managing, and analyzing online content, monitoring and reporting Facebook, Twitter and social marketing campaigns, developing and communicating with news channels of distribution to broaden the audience of the MCC as well as aiding in strategizing and reporting on social media campaigns for MCC. Position will also have responsibility for designing, posting, and managing content for Janus monitors throughout the MCC. 

Product Director (Fender – Los Angeles) 

In alignment with the brand strategy, the Product Director is responsible for controlling the evolution of sales and global product strategy for one or more of the company’s highest revenue/complex product lines. Analyzes sales information, projections, and other meaningful data and prepares forecasts on market evolution and company products; coordinates promotions and advertising efforts; and provides short term and long term product strategic direction. Requires extensive marketing and technical skills and has supervisory responsibilities.

Marketing Assistant (AEG Live – Denver)

The Marketing Assistant is responsible for general support to marketing team including but not limited to: event online and asset management, newsletter creation, invoicing, ad packs and ad settlements. This position may also be responsible for marketing administrative tasks including promotions, working events, event troubleshooting, general administrative tasks, and other tasks as assigned. 

Junior Manager, Brand Partnerships (UMG – Philadelphia) 

Fame House, a Universal Music Group company, is looking for a Junior Manager, Brand Partnerships to join our team in our Philadelphia, PA. This position will report into the Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships and will help to conceive and execute marketing campaigns that drive exceptional results for our Brand Partner clients. You will work with some of the most successful artists, entertainment companies, and brands in the world.

Founded in January 2011, Fame House is an award-winning digital strategy agency with offices in Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles that’s built to uniquely serve the needs of the modern music industry. Fame House’s early foresight into crafting services around the new opportunities of connecting artists and fans online led them to help establish a new key role within the music ecosystem serving artists alongside labels, management companies, event companies and agents. Fame House is a Universal Music Group company.

Account Director (Spotify – Dallas) 

We are looking for an outstanding Ad Sales Account Director to join our team in Dallas. We’re looking for someone with a proven record of revenue generation and a deep interest and passion for online media and innovation. We want someone who loves our product and knows how to sell creative solutions for clients and partners. You should be confident without ever being arrogant and you work hard, but know how to have fun.  Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music.

Music Logger, Performance Today (American Public Media – Saint Paul, MN) 

Music Loggers assist with the production of Performance Today, American Public Media’s flagship music program. The show broadcasts daily throughout the United States and is also available as audio on the series’ website. 

The central responsibility of this temporary role will be listen to live concert recordings, log the length of each piece, and enter this information into shared platforms that enable the show’s daily production. 

Agile Coach (Spotify – Boston) 

We are looking for an Agile Coach to coach and enable our development teams to work efficiently and quickly together. You will collaborate with cross functioning, highly skilled engineering teams in a fast moving environment. Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music.

YOA Coordinator (Yuma Orchestra Association – Yuma, AZ) 

The Yuma Orchestra Coordinator is responsible for the development, implementation and management of all events, functions and activities pertaining to the orchestra.

Successful candidates will have leadership capabilities, excellent writing and communication skills, and experience in problem solving abilities, coordinating multiple tasks, planning, facilitating and organizing events/functions. This position requires a self-motivated individual who functions well in both an independent and team environment.

This position reports to the Yuma Orchestra Association Board of Directors.

Site Coordinator (New Jersey Symphony Orchestra) 

The Site Coordinator is responsible for on-site administrative operations of NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project) and the NJSO Youth Orchestras’ Training Ensemble. NJSO CHAMPS is an El Sistema-inspired after-school program—consisting of small-group violin, viola and cello instruction, ensemble rehearsals, improvisation and music theory—serving up to 50 beginner to advanced string students in grades 3–8 from September to May, Monday through Thursday from 4–6 pm. Additionally, CHAMPS students have the option to participate in the NJSO Youth Orchestras’ Training Ensemble which meets on Saturdays from Noon–2 pm. The Training Ensemble is part of the NJSO’s Music Advancement for Newark-area Youth (MANY) partnership with NJPAC, which provides instrumental training for students in Newark and the surrounding communities.

Publicity Manager (Young Concert Artists – NYC) 

Responsibilities include general promotion of the organization and the artists through writing and disseminating press releases; writing artist biographies; maintaining artist press materials; creating promotional emails; liaising with the press, presenters, artists, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, etc.; overseeing and creating website content; managing organization’s social media pages; managing concert promotion; maintaining databases; performing general office duties.

Executive Director (State Street Academy Of Music – Harrisburg, PA) 

State Street Academy of Music is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. The E.D. is responsible for the effective functioning of the Academy and reports to the board of directors. The E.D. will supervise the work of an administrative staff person, oversee the work of the music instructors, and coordinate financial matters with an outside bookkeeper. External communications – with parents and students – as well as the interested public – are an ongoing part of the work as well.

Marketing Manager (The Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ)

Job summary: The Orpheum Theater downtown Flagstaff is currently seeking to fill a full time Marketing position. If you are interested in a fun, challenging, fast paced career in the music industry we want to hear from you! Job duties could include (but are not limited to) marketing, advertising, PR, graphic design, event creation, venue management, sponsorships, staff/ intern oversight.Please reply with your resume to Owner/ Operator Chris Scully. We will be setting up interviews shortly.

Assistant Director / Director of Music & Talent (Creative License – NYC)

Job summary: Assist or lead the team on various music supervision, celebrity talent, intellectual property licensing, and business development initiatives. The position includes extensive negotiation and client management as well as supporting our client research and development strategy. We are looking for someone who likes working closely with and supporting others. Someone who can be flexible, upbeat, optimistic, extremely organized, and relentless when it comes to getting challenging things accomplished. The title and salary will be commensurate with experience.

Box Office Supervisor (Historic Theatre Group – Minneapolis, MN)

Job summary: The Box Office Supervisor manages the daily operations of the State Theatre box office, with a client and customer service focus. Provides team-oriented leadership to full-time and part-time Box Office Associates. Resolves all customer, client, staff and technical challenges as part of the box office leadership team.

Artist Manager (O-Town Records – Orlando, FL)

Job summary: O-Town Records is seeking an Artist & Repertoire Manager. A&R Managers are creative people with good business skills and a solid understanding of the music marketplace. It is not enough to like the music, an A&R Manager needs an excellent knowledge of the contemporary music scene and to understand what sells.The main job is picking acts that will be successful and then working with the act to find the right producers and writers. The process is very much a nurturing one to ensure the band or solo artist impacts at the right time with the right material. Besides scouting for new artist the a&r manager also manages the current roster of artist. Duties include booking performances for artist, updating social media for artist,booking tv appearances and publicity for artist, booking recording studios for artist and much more

Publicity Coordinator (Disney Music Group – Burbank, CA)

Job summary: Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Disney Music Publishing, Disney Concerts, and Disney Concerts. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Demi Lovato, Sofia Carson, ZZ Ward, R5, Zella Day, Breaking Benjamin, Bea Miller, Sabrina Carpenter, Joywave, Olivia Holt, Jordan Fisher, Tini Stoessel, Forever In Your Mind, Jorge Blanco, Fairfax Recordings, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as the Oscar and Grammy-winning “Frozen” soundtrack, the Grammy-nominated soundtracks for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the Aladdin original Broadway Cast Recording, and “Saving Mr. Banks,” as well as “Star Wars.” Upcoming soundtracks include “Finding Dory,” “Moana,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” DMG also releases the Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, a series celebrating the anniversaries of Disney’s most cherished and classic films.

Marketing Manager, US Latin Catalog (Sony – Coconut Grove, FL)

Job summary: The Marketing Manager of US Latin Catalog will manage all the marketing, promotions and sales aspect of the US Latin Catalog and Push products. One key goal of this position is to continually build a diverse portfolio of partnerships and interactions to support and round out overall marketing efforts. Additional responsibilities include day to day marketing and planning, content strategy and partner outreach. The desirable candidate must have a strong interest in online marketing and technology. Existing artist and music relationships preferred. Must possess knowledge and ability to balance music marketing savvy with attention to detail, follow up and execution on a multiple project level.

Director of Marketing (Britt Music and Arts Festival – Medford, OR)

Job summary: The Director of Marketing and Public Relations is responsible for the development and oversight of the organization’s marketing and public relations strategies and activities.

PR Executive (Phenomenal Music Group – Orlando)

Job summary: Phenomenal Music Group has open positions for an energetic individual with Public Relations experience to provide PR and/ or marketing support for the organization. The Public Relations Candidate will be responsible for developing an overall strategic plan to guide Public Relations efforts

Marketing Expert (Axis Music Academy – Birmingham, MI)

Job summary: Axis Music Academy, Michigan’s premier source for music education is seeking experienced Marketing experts to help increase monthly sales and help grow our business. Our marketing team report directly to our Executive Director and help to drive our daily sales through building client relationships, community outreach and strategic marketing campaigns. Axis Music currently operates 2 locations and central offices. Ideal candidates will have had 5 years of marketing experience. Some experience in general management is preferred. Growth potential is to become an Enrollment Director or District Sales and Marketing Director and run our team of academy and sales directors.

Marketing Assistant (Songkick – Brooklyn)

Job summary: Songkick is looking for a proactive Marketing Assistant to join our growing Marketing team to help us realize our mission of inventing the future of ticketing. We’re looking for someone who is highly organized; with the ability to creatively solve problems and handle multiple projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will be a quick learner who can support Songkick’s ongoing campaigns on a day-to-day basis. This is a temporary (3 month) part-time opportunity with the potential to turn into a full-time position after winning us over with your outstanding work performance. Ideally, you’ll be available to work from our Brooklyn office for 4-5 days per week.

Community Development & Sales for Festival Startup (Everfest – Austin, TX)

Job summary: Everfest is looking for competitive, ambitious, high-energy sales team member to help us continue our rapid growth. If joining a team of festival-minded, always-hustling startuppers sounds appealing to you, let’s talk! Everfest is the world’s festival authority, based out of Austin, TX. We provide festival organizers with a platform to manage their online marketing, digital advertising, day-of app and interactions with each part of the festival ecosystem. We’ve rapidly grown users and traffic into the multiple millions per month and continue to scale at a massive clip. Revenue is growing and we need one or two more people to take advantage of the demand. This role will focus on outreach to festival organizers, tourist development councils and brands for digital ad sales and adoption of our festival marketing platform.

Program Manager, Brand Partnerships (Pandora – Oakland, CA)

Job summary: We’re seeking a Program Manager to work in our Oakland, CA office to focus on the post sale management and execution of custom online stations and offline event experiences for key advertisers.  The right individual will be accountable for understanding every aspect from the concept creation stage to launch and maintenance; this includes keeping the sales lead(s), sales development, Events and Industry Relations (MMG), Design, Content and Client Services teams on-track and on-time with all of their tasks and deliverables. They will also support the sales force and relevant support teams with pre-sale/post-sales communication during the entire campaign.

Director Industry Relations (Pandora – Nashville, TN)

Job summary: The Music Makers Group is responsible for delivering on Pandora’s promise to strengthen the bonds between artists and their fans. Teams spanning Industry Relations, Custom Content, Events, Promotions, and Analytics work collaboratively to identify, source, and deliver compelling artist programs with their fans on Pandora. Looking for a new member of the Industry Relations team to expand our Nashville presence. You will be responsible for the development and ongoing relationships between the music industry and Pandora specifically within the Country genre. You will nurture professional relationships and constantly be on the lookout for new opportunities for Pandora to engage with the industry. You will work in coordination with other internal teams to ensure the seamless execution of artist-driven events, promotion, and custom content programs. You have a strong understanding of industry dynamics, including but not limited to artist licensing & royalty knowledge, label-artist dynamics, and the online music space. The ideal candidate will be excited by the opportunity to shape the future of Pandora’s music industry relationships in the face of ambitious growth plans.

Manager, Music Licensing (Netflix – Beverly Hills, CA)

Job summary: As Manager, Music Licensing, you love music and everything about the music process for film, series and documentaries. You know everyone in the industry: the record companies, the publishers, the indies, the music supervisors, music libraries, production houses, music editors, artists, songwriters and managers.  You think having several different licenses (synch and master) for the same work makes complete sense, you’re used to clearing compositions with as many as 5 or more publishers, and you’re not phased by split territory deals. You know who to contact for that obscure track from the 1970s and you’re ready with alternate tracks to suggest if it doesn’t clear. The music production process for original content is second nature to you – from script to budget to music clearance to on-camera through to delivery, reviewing/negotiating form licenses and reviewing/compiling/submitting cue sheets – you’ve mastered that and feel comfortable working independently through the process. You also love working in an environment where freedom and responsibility are a tenet, and passion, innovation and curiosity are mandates(http://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664). That curiosity is a plus for those who seek a role like this with unique opportunities to expand and grow beyond one’s immediate area of expertise, and to collaborate with colleagues in our domestic and international offices who share your passion for music, copyright and the entertainment industry.  You seek an environment that places thoughtful efficiency over process yet you know how to work with organizations or institutions who may not hold the same beliefs. Your innate ability to maintain organization and focus fuels your effectiveness in successfully juggling multiple projects.  

Music Program Coordinator (ROOTS Academy – Franklin, TN)

Job summary: We are seeking a high-level detailed person for the position of Music Program Coordinator to join the administrative team here at ROOTS Academy. This person will work to provide top quality administrative, scheduling and billing support for the music division, as well as contribute to the overall customer experience at ROOTS Academy. This person will report directly to the Music Program Director. The position is a part-time employee position (20-25 hours per week), working on-site at our Franklin studio. Unfortunately, this position cannot be virtual.

Public Relations Manager (STL Synmphony – St. Louis)

Job summary: Works under the oversight of the Vice President for External Affairs in the development and administration of activities to enhance and improve the local, regional, national and international image of the St. Louis Symphony. Effect and improve understanding by the public and internal entities of the organization’s mission, achievements and core competencies; to help publicize activities and performances; to proactively identify issues that may impact the organization; and to help execute the Symphony’s day-to-day public relations activities. The primary method of accomplishing these goals is through various means of communication, both oral and written with the ongoing cultivation of many key relationships inside and outside the Symphony family. Also, assist with other areas of the External Affairs Department as needed.

Event Producer & Community Catalyst (Daybreaker – Denver)

Job summary: As a Daybreaker Event Producer & Community Catalyst (we’ll call you a “Producer” for short), you are the face of Daybreaker in your city! That means you will be the face of Daybreaker in your city, responsible for building an engaged and passionate community, producing mind-blowing experiences, and promoting the events to relevant audiences. You will be supported by the hardworking Daybreaker HQ team, who will coach and train you to be the best Producer you can be. We’ll provide you with the skeleton of what you need to produce Daybreaker events, grow your community, and uphold the global brand. It’s up to you to bring the hustle, passion, and creative zeal to create unique and refreshing events that participants will love. You’ll be in charge of finding venues, sourcing talent and performers, cultivating a volunteer production team, coordinating with vendors and sponsors, creating local partnerships, and producing monthly events. We’ll provide marketing, communications, operations, branding, sponsorship, financing, and PR support so that you can concentrate on creating experiences that participants will never forget.

Record Label / Distributor Marketing Associate (Empiure – San Francisco)

Job summary: EMPIRE is looking for a passionate and dedicated Marketing Manager to liaise with the artist repertoire and work with internal departments including A&R, Sales, Production, Business Affairs and Finance as well as outside agencies such as designers, media agencies and PR companies to manage the rollout of priority releases.

Executive Assistant (Sony/Century Media – Los Angeles)

Job summary: This position will provide administrative support to the President, Century Media and also support product managers with executing various administrative tasks.

General Manager (TouchTunes – NYC)

Job summary: Reporting to the Chairman and CEO of TouchTunes Music, the General Manager of our music solutions business is responsible for managing our custom music program, overseeing our current North American footprint.  The GM manages Custom Music’s’ Sales, Curation and Operation’s teams and works closely with TouchTunes Corporate Finance, Legal, Accounting, and Licensing teams. This role will provide leadership and direction to the Custom Music team to ensure its objectives are met and TouchTunes’ Custom Music business grows by deepening existing relationships with key partners and expanding our current customer base.  

Frontline Operations Assistant (Songkick – Brooklyn, NY)

Job summary: We have an immediate opening for an ambitious graduate to join our Frontline Operations team. We’re looking for someone who has excellent time management skills, is passionate about the music business, and has a great attitude. In this role, you’ll be on the front lines, helping the Artist Services, Marketing and Business Development teams to build a direct relationship between our artists and their biggest fans through our innovative, direct-to-fan ticketing campaigns. This is a temporary (3 month) part-time opportunity with the potential to turn into a full-time position after winning us over with your outstanding work performance. Ideally, you’ll be available to work from our Brooklyn office for 3-4 days per week.

Categories
Job Board News

Haulix Weekly Update #138: “Dear Mr. President, there are too many states nowadays.”

Hello, everyone! We hope this update finds you staying cool as the summer temperatures begin to roll in. It is currently 83 degree in Minneapolis as we write this post, which for midwesterners like ourselves feels like the surface of the sun. Thankfully, there are a number of crazy good album releases arriving in stores today, and we’re going to try and keep our minds off the heat by enjoying those works. If you need a recommendation, check this out:

As I mentioned above, 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 updates:

What if I were to tell you this is the last or second to last Weekly Update post before the new version of Haulix arrives? I’m not saying that is absolutely true, but I am also not saying it’s a lie. I’m actually not allowed to tell you when the site will be live just yet, but know within 14 days our world is going to change in a big way. More news will come on Monday….

Blog updates:

Now that the new site is basically complete (shhh, you didn’t read that here) we have been recently become able to focus on our blog a bit more. There was a steady stream of content throughout the week, and a lot of it focused on how to improve one’s own email game. You may think email is simple, and it is for the most part, but actually making smart business moves through email can be fairly complicated for the inexperienced. If you missed anything as of late, especially our podcasts, please head over to our archive and catch up ASAP.

That’s all we have for this week. Check back Sunday for an all-new music industry job board.

XOXO

Haulix

Categories
News

How to send a killer email to anyone in the music industry

The following post is the latest in our ongoing collaborative series with the fine folks at Sonicbids.

I’ve been to a lot of music conferences. At nearly every single workshop or Q&A session, the question is asked: “What are the dos and don’ts of sending emails to industry people?” Most of the time, the answers are pretty generic and simple, but to be honest, it’s a good question. A lot of people suck at sending emails.

I’ve spent quite a few years learning the ropes of the music industry, and in that time, my band and I have developed a pretty solid email game (if I do say so myself). In fact, we’ve literally received compliments on the detail, efficiency, and organization of our emails.

After you’ve read this guide, you should have a clear idea of how to send a killer email to anyone in the music industry. If you have questions, leave them in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

1. Be concise

Have you ever met somebody who tells really long stories with way too much detail? Don’t be that guy. Aim to send an email that includes as much detail as possible in as few words. For example, if I’m trying to book an opening slot, I’ll put this in the subject line:

Subject: May 21st – Opening Slot Inquiry – The Middle Coast

Right away, whoever is receiving this email knows what I’m asking for, who’s asking for it, and on which date.

Then, in the body of the email, I’ll say something as simple as this:

Hey there Dave!

My name is Liam, I play in a Canadian band called The Middle Coast.

We would love to jump on the opening slot for the May 21st show at Your Cool Bar with This Cool Band.

I’ve included live video and a link to our EPK where you can stream our unreleased record below.

Thanks for your time,

Liam

Fifty-nine words. That’s all you need. You don’t need to include your bio. You don’t need to include 20 different press quotes. You don’t need to pander and ask this person a bunch of questions about his or her personal life. You don’t need to humblebrag. Just be straight to the point and professional.

2. Be up front and tell people what you want

When you send an email, you’re hopefully sending it with some sort of goal in mind. You need to tell people what you’re emailing them about, otherwise they won’t give it a second glance. I get it – you don’t want to play all your cards, and you don’t want to look desperate. But if you don’t tell people what you’re looking for out of this email, you’re probably not going to get a reply.

An example: I have a friend who runs a label and manages bands. He gets a ton of emails every week from people, and many of them simply say, “Hello, check out my music.”

Concise, but not enough information. You need to tell people what they’re looking at. When I send my music to someone at a label, my email would typically look something like this:

Subject: The Middle Coast – The Basement, July 1 – Unreleased Record

Again, telling people who they’re talking to, letting them know that I’m playing a show in their city, and that I have an unreleased record.

Hey there Laura,

My name is Liam Duncan, I play in a Canadian band called The Middle Coast.

We are just wrapping up production on our debut album with Bigwig Producer. We play ‘70s-inspired pop with big harmonies and great hooks. You can stream the album in its entirety at the streaming link below.

We are building our team for this release, and would appreciate your consideration.

You can catch us in Your City, TN at the Basement on July 1st. I can put you on the guest list.

Thanks for your time,

Liam

Laura now knows where I’m from, what kind of music to expect, who produced the album, what we’re looking to do, and has a streaming link for the entire record. Perfect. If she likes what she hears, she’ll come to the show.

3. Have a detailed email signature that includes your EPK

The vast majority of the information anyone could need from me is in the email signature that accompanies almost every single email I send. This is a screenshot of exactly what it looks like:

As you can see, I’ve included a description of what you’ll find in our electronic press kit (EPK), which is more helpful than simply linking “EPK.” I also included a Facebook link, because everyone wants to see it anyway. And last, but certainly not least, I list our website and a personal phone number.

Every important piece of information can be found in this email signature. All our social media links are in the EPK, as well as more video, press, biographies, downloadable promo pics, and downloadable tech/hospitality riders.

People love that they don’t need to go searching for every single bit of information. It shows that we are organized, professional, and have been around the block a few times.

4. Don’t send attachments

MP3 attachments take up space in people’s inboxes. They can slow down an email app and are otherwise just annoying. Most people prefer streaming links. Make your songs in the EPK downloadable, just in case they do want to download your music. Or send them a Dropbox link.

5. Don’t be afraid to follow up

You should never be afraid to follow up with someone you’ve emailed. If you’ve followed this advice, your email should be very polite, professional, up front, and concise, so there’s no reason for you to be shy about following up. I think following up once every 10 days or so is reasonable.

6. Be nice

It seems weird to me that musicians are ever rude or arrogant, because pretty much everyone I know is very nice. Yet I hear countless stories from people in the industry about artists who throw a fit when they don’t get what they want or are just plain rude.

The least you can do is be polite and professional. You don’t need to suck up to anyone and you don’t need to be shy, but you do need to be friendly, accommodating, and polite.

Categories
News Podcasts

Inside Music Podcast #84 – Ben Liebsch (You, Me, And Everyone We Know) Returns!

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls You, Me, And Everyone We Know mastermind Ben Liebsch to discuss the end of his beloved band. Ben was a guest on another episode of Inside Music, and at that time it seemed YMAEWK would go on forever. In the year since a lot has changed, and now it seems the group may never resurface. Ben tells James about the things he’s been thinking about and feeling towards his career, and together the two carry out an autopsy on the band that was once heralded as being the next big thing in alternative music.

The music you ear in this episode of Inside Music is “Seasons In The Sun” by Terry Jacks.

You may already know this, but Inside Music is available on iTunes. Click here to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Categories
News

7 things to keep in mind when pitching music bloggers

As any music blogger will tell you, the quality of pitches sent from both aspiring artists and PR professionals often run the gamut from gorgeous to outright embarrassing. Some pitches are creatively designed emails with elegant text and photos, while others are one or two paragraph emails that highlight a few recording details. Some others are little more than a hello and a hastily copy/pasted link, but thankfully those are typically few and far between. 

What makes one blogger click a link others might overlook is something we don’t really have time to get into because the possibilities are essentially limitless, but there are ways to hedge your bets. If you keep a few key things in mind when crafting your outreach to the press your chance of getting noticed will be as high as anyone else, leaving it to your music to do the rest.

1. Know who you are talking to

This one may sound obvious, but as a guy named James who has received emails addressed to everyone from Sean, to Beth, David, Matthew, and even Topher, I would argue it’s something too many take for granted. The importance of knowing who you are talking to in a pitch and gearing the conversation towards them cannot be overstated. If I see an email addressed to anyone other than myself I immediately send that message to my trash. It’s not for me, and if it was the person sending it didn’t both to double check the one line where they address me directly, so why give it my time?

You also need to remember that many writers are as younger, meaning they don’t necessarily prefer to be addressed as ‘Mister’ or ‘Miss.’ In fact, I haven’t encountered a single music journalist at any age that people refer to as Mr, Mrs, or Ms _________. Learn the first name of your contact and use it whenever possible. Be personable. It makes you, and your music, come across better.

2. Make sure the person you’re writing covers your style of music

In a decade of writing online I have never been associated with a site that regularly covers dance music or black metal, nor I have written about either topic at length, but every day without fail I receive a number of press releases trying to sell me on the latest talent from each genre. There are things I admittedly spin out of curiosity, but the vast majority of these release go directly to the trash bin. I have enough talent to engage and cover without wasting time on material that fall outside the coverage area of the sites who accept my work. You or your client may be talented, but I simply have no way to help you, so don’t waste your time or mine with an unnecessary pitch.

3. Read the submission guidelines

Most, not all, music blogs have some form of submissions guidelines buried on their site. Do your research before submitting your music to ensure your pitch has the best chance of being considered for coverage.

4. Always keep it simple

Everyone in music is busy. It doesn’t matter what day of the week you reach out, or what time of day your email is read, the person on the receiving end will always have a million tiny tasks awaiting their attention, including several other hopefuls such as yourself. Play into their lack of free time by finding concise and exciting ways to sell yourself. Long emails are only read in full when the recipient has a deeply vested interest in what is being conveyed. That is rarely, if ever, the case with reading new music submissions. Keep it simple and keep it fun. Tell who you are, what you create/represent, and where that art can be found. If you have something new you are trying to bring attention to, highlight that in its own short paragraph, along with any related links/embed codes.

5. Be respectful

Knowing the blogger’s name and the kind of content found on their site is one thing, but you can win over a writer much faster if you also show a true appreciation for their work. Comment on specific articles you enjoyed, or mention topics you know they have covered in the past. Bloggers, like anyone else, love to know their work is actually being enjoyed. Tell them.

6. Provide the blogger with everything the need to create a post in a single email

As noted above, time is of the essence when it comes to music blogging, so any pitch you send should provide the recipient with everything they need to cover your music. Building a relationship is important as well, but when it comes to actually getting featured on a site you can help yourself quite a bit by providing bloggers with any and everything they could need up front. This means providing everything from details behind an LP/EP (studio name, producer), to store links, tour dates, social links, and – most important off all – a proper promotional photo. Writers don’t have time to scour social networks for the most recent professional-looking image of your band. Do the work for them and they will love you all the more for your effort.

7. No one likes spam.

As you build a list of blogger contacts it will be increasingly tempting to blast every single email you find with the same promotional messaging, but believe me when I say doing so will win you no friends. Promotional messaging should only be directed to people who have covered your talent before, as well as those who have experienced any interest in covering that particular artist or release moving forward. Not every site will work for every piece of news and information you develop, so be smart about who receives what and you will have a much easier time maintaining strong relationships with those in the industry.

James Shotwell has over a decade of professional experience in the music industry. He has worked in journalism, marketing, publicity, and tour management. His current title is Digital Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. Bylines include Rolling Stone, Substream Magazine, Alternative Press, Sonicbids, Under The Gun Review, Tuned Up, and PropertyOfZack. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

Categories
News

Monday Motivation: Billy Talent

If you’re anything like me, you probably started the day by recognizing that the start of a new work week had indeed arrived and then immediately began shaking your fists at the sky in anger. Monday is rarely anyone’s favorite day, and from what I have seen firsthand it feels safe to say it’s the one day of the week some people outright hate. I guess to them the arrival of the work week symbolizes the end of their quote/unquote freedom, and as a result they head into the office/factory/restaurant/store with a negative outlook already on their mind. This leads to bad attitudes, which only makes the experience of being at work worse, and for some reason it also seems to make time slow to a crawl. We’re not about that life, and we hope this post can do the same you that the song contained within it did for us.

I know Drake and Future spent the majority of the last year exclaiming, “what a time to be alive,” but the more I read into the problems plaguing our world today the more I am unsure what such a statement means. Is it a good thing to be alive right now, or is it a bad thing? If you’re Drake or Future it’s probably pretty great. Those guys are making tens of thousands, if not more, each passing week off the strength of their creativity. The vast majority of the rest of the Earth’s population is nowhere near that lucky however, and we are all struggling in our own ways as we fight to survive. I know I am nowhere near earning the title of being the worst off, but I do have concerns for what lies on the horizon. Between the impending election in the US, which seems to have provided no truly great candidate, and the various acts of terror taking place on a near-weekly basis all over the globe, 2016 seems pretty awful. It is unclear when or how things will get better, but something tells me no improvements will happen without hardships or tragedy coming first. In fact, I would argue some people have lost their faith in a better tomorrow altogether because every day the news and social media shines a lot on the numerous complicated problems plaguing us not just here at home, but all over the world.

With all this in mind, I wholeheartedly believe we need proactive music now more than ever in my lifetime. I have been walking this planet for almost twenty-nine years, but I have never witnessed the kind of global disenchantment that we are currently experiencing. People have lost their faith in religion and political leadership. They, or should I saw we are hungry for something more than just the hope things will improve. Time has taught us that simply hoping for things to get better rarely results in any change happening whatsoever. We know that change only comes as a result of action, but when we look to pop culture for leadership and positive influence we generally only find sugar-coated love songs, movies featuring people with superpowers, or EDM-fueled tracks about loving life that completely ignore the problems facing mankind.

Now, to be clear, these things are not bad. I love superhero movies and pop songs as much as the next person, but our world is in such a state of disarray that we need artists who are not afraid to speak out against all they see wrong. We need protest songs, and we need artists who encourage people to read up on what is happening around them. To use a colloquialism that the internet loves we need artist who are “woke AF,” and for my money there are few who seem to understand this quite like Canada’s hard rock kings, Billy Talent.

Yes, you read that right. The band we need now more than ever to urge us to take action is not even from America. Billy Talent have been making music that demands and influences action for over a decade at this point, and their new album Afraid Of Heights is no exception. Every song, from the riveting “Big Red Gun” to the closing reprise of “Afraid Of Heights,” speaks to the state of the world today. The band touches on our current fears, as well as the universal fear of the unknown. If we think things are bad now, then how much worse could they get? Billy Talent does not have the answer, but they do urge people to take action to prevent whatever unknown horrors may lie on the horizon from ever coming to fruition.

When you listen to Afraid Of Heights you cannot help feeling inspired and entertained simultaneously. The genius of Billy Talent’s sound has always been there way to raise awareness while also inducing mosh/circle pits with killer riffs and endlessly catchy hooks. Their latest work is as fun as it is important, and every ounce of me hopes you give it a chance to inspire you to make the world a better place when it arrives in stores this Friday, July 29.

James Shotwell is the Digital Marketing Manager for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him on Twitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.

Categories
Job Board News

Music Industry Job Board (7/24/16)

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 2016. 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 week 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.

New openings: 

Marketing Manager (The Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ)

Job summary: The Orpheum Theater downtown Flagstaff is currently seeking to fill a full time Marketing position. If you are interested in a fun, challenging, fast paced career in the music industry we want to hear from you! Job duties could include (but are not limited to) marketing, advertising, PR, graphic design, event creation, venue management, sponsorships, staff/ intern oversight.Please reply with your resume to Owner/ Operator Chris Scully. We will be setting up interviews shortly. 

Assistant Director / Director of Music & Talent (Creative License – NYC) 

Job summary: Assist or lead the team on various music supervision, celebrity talent, intellectual property licensing, and business development initiatives. The position includes extensive negotiation and client management as well as supporting our client research and development strategy. We are looking for someone who likes working closely with and supporting others. Someone who can be flexible, upbeat, optimistic, extremely organized, and relentless when it comes to getting challenging things accomplished. The title and salary will be commensurate with experience.

Box Office Supervisor (Historic Theatre Group – Minneapolis, MN) 

Job summary: The Box Office Supervisor manages the daily operations of the State Theatre box office, with a client and customer service focus. Provides team-oriented leadership to full-time and part-time Box Office Associates. Resolves all customer, client, staff and technical challenges as part of the box office leadership team.

Artist Manager (O-Town Records – Orlando, FL)

Job summary: O-Town Records is seeking an Artist & Repertoire Manager. A&R Managers are creative people with good business skills and a solid understanding of the music marketplace. It is not enough to like the music, an A&R Manager needs an excellent knowledge of the contemporary music scene and to understand what sells.The main job is picking acts that will be successful and then working with the act to find the right producers and writers. The process is very much a nurturing one to ensure the band or solo artist impacts at the right time with the right material. Besides scouting for new artist the a&r manager also manages the current roster of artist. Duties include booking performances for artist, updating social media for artist,booking tv appearances and publicity for artist, booking recording studios for artist and much more

Publicity Coordinator (Disney Music Group – Burbank, CA) 

Job summary: Disney Music Group is home to Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Disney Music Publishing, Disney Concerts, and Disney Concerts. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include Demi Lovato, Sofia Carson, ZZ Ward, R5, Zella Day, Breaking Benjamin, Bea Miller, Sabrina Carpenter, Joywave, Olivia Holt, Jordan Fisher, Tini Stoessel, Forever In Your Mind, Jorge Blanco, Fairfax Recordings, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as the Oscar and Grammy-winning “Frozen” soundtrack, the Grammy-nominated soundtracks for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the Aladdin original Broadway Cast Recording, and “Saving Mr. Banks,” as well as “Star Wars.” Upcoming soundtracks include “Finding Dory,” “Moana,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” DMG also releases the Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, a series celebrating the anniversaries of Disney’s most cherished and classic films.

Marketing Manager, US Latin Catalog (Sony – Coconut Grove, FL) 

Job summary: The Marketing Manager of US Latin Catalog will manage all the marketing, promotions and sales aspect of the US Latin Catalog and Push products. One key goal of this position is to continually build a diverse portfolio of partnerships and interactions to support and round out overall marketing efforts. Additional responsibilities include day to day marketing and planning, content strategy and partner outreach. The desirable candidate must have a strong interest in online marketing and technology. Existing artist and music relationships preferred. Must possess knowledge and ability to balance music marketing savvy with attention to detail, follow up and execution on a multiple project level.

Director of Marketing (Britt Music and Arts Festival – Medford, OR) 

Job summary: The Director of Marketing and Public Relations is responsible for the development and oversight of the organization’s marketing and public relations strategies and activities.

PR Executive (Phenomenal Music Group – Orlando) 

Job summary: Phenomenal Music Group has open positions for an energetic individual with Public Relations experience to provide PR and/ or marketing support for the organization. The Public Relations Candidate will be responsible for developing an overall strategic plan to guide Public Relations efforts

Marketing Expert (Axis Music Academy – Birmingham, MI)

Job summary: Axis Music Academy, Michigan’s premier source for music education is seeking experienced Marketing experts to help increase monthly sales and help grow our business. Our marketing team report directly to our Executive Director and help to drive our daily sales through building client relationships, community outreach and strategic marketing campaigns. Axis Music currently operates 2 locations and central offices. Ideal candidates will have had 5 years of marketing experience. Some experience in general management is preferred. Growth potential is to become an Enrollment Director or District Sales and Marketing Director and run our team of academy and sales directors.

Marketing Assistant (Songkick – Brooklyn)

Job summary: Songkick is looking for a proactive Marketing Assistant to join our growing Marketing team to help us realize our mission of inventing the future of ticketing. We’re looking for someone who is highly organized; with the ability to creatively solve problems and handle multiple projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will be a quick learner who can support Songkick’s ongoing campaigns on a day-to-day basis. This is a temporary (3 month) part-time opportunity with the potential to turn into a full-time position after winning us over with your outstanding work performance. Ideally, you’ll be available to work from our Brooklyn office for 4-5 days per week.

Community Development & Sales for Festival Startup (Everfest – Austin, TX)

Job summary: Everfest is looking for competitive, ambitious, high-energy sales team member to help us continue our rapid growth. If joining a team of festival-minded, always-hustling startuppers sounds appealing to you, let’s talk! Everfest is the world’s festival authority, based out of Austin, TX. We provide festival organizers with a platform to manage their online marketing, digital advertising, day-of app and interactions with each part of the festival ecosystem. We’ve rapidly grown users and traffic into the multiple millions per month and continue to scale at a massive clip. Revenue is growing and we need one or two more people to take advantage of the demand. This role will focus on outreach to festival organizers, tourist development councils and brands for digital ad sales and adoption of our festival marketing platform.

Program Manager, Brand Partnerships (Pandora – Oakland, CA)

Job summary: We’re seeking a Program Manager to work in our Oakland, CA office to focus on the post sale management and execution of custom online stations and offline event experiences for key advertisers.  The right individual will be accountable for understanding every aspect from the concept creation stage to launch and maintenance; this includes keeping the sales lead(s), sales development, Events and Industry Relations (MMG), Design, Content and Client Services teams on-track and on-time with all of their tasks and deliverables. They will also support the sales force and relevant support teams with pre-sale/post-sales communication during the entire campaign.

Director Industry Relations (Pandora – Nashville, TN)

Job summary: The Music Makers Group is responsible for delivering on Pandora’s promise to strengthen the bonds between artists and their fans. Teams spanning Industry Relations, Custom Content, Events, Promotions, and Analytics work collaboratively to identify, source, and deliver compelling artist programs with their fans on Pandora. Looking for a new member of the Industry Relations team to expand our Nashville presence. You will be responsible for the development and ongoing relationships between the music industry and Pandora specifically within the Country genre. You will nurture professional relationships and constantly be on the lookout for new opportunities for Pandora to engage with the industry. You will work in coordination with other internal teams to ensure the seamless execution of artist-driven events, promotion, and custom content programs. You have a strong understanding of industry dynamics, including but not limited to artist licensing & royalty knowledge, label-artist dynamics, and the online music space. The ideal candidate will be excited by the opportunity to shape the future of Pandora’s music industry relationships in the face of ambitious growth plans.

Manager, Music Licensing (Netflix – Beverly Hills, CA)

Job summary: As Manager, Music Licensing, you love music and everything about the music process for film, series and documentaries. You know everyone in the industry: the record companies, the publishers, the indies, the music supervisors, music libraries, production houses, music editors, artists, songwriters and managers.  You think having several different licenses (synch and master) for the same work makes complete sense, you’re used to clearing compositions with as many as 5 or more publishers, and you’re not phased by split territory deals. You know who to contact for that obscure track from the 1970s and you’re ready with alternate tracks to suggest if it doesn’t clear. The music production process for original content is second nature to you – from script to budget to music clearance to on-camera through to delivery, reviewing/negotiating form licenses and reviewing/compiling/submitting cue sheets – you’ve mastered that and feel comfortable working independently through the process. You also love working in an environment where freedom and responsibility are a tenet, and passion, innovation and curiosity are mandates(http://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664). That curiosity is a plus for those who seek a role like this with unique opportunities to expand and grow beyond one’s immediate area of expertise, and to collaborate with colleagues in our domestic and international offices who share your passion for music, copyright and the entertainment industry.  You seek an environment that places thoughtful efficiency over process yet you know how to work with organizations or institutions who may not hold the same beliefs. Your innate ability to maintain organization and focus fuels your effectiveness in successfully juggling multiple projects.  

Music Program Coordinator (ROOTS Academy – Franklin, TN)

Job summary: We are seeking a high-level detailed person for the position of Music Program Coordinator to join the administrative team here at ROOTS Academy. This person will work to provide top quality administrative, scheduling and billing support for the music division, as well as contribute to the overall customer experience at ROOTS Academy. This person will report directly to the Music Program Director. The position is a part-time employee position (20-25 hours per week), working on-site at our Franklin studio. Unfortunately, this position cannot be virtual.

Public Relations Manager (STL Synmphony – St. Louis)

Job summary: Works under the oversight of the Vice President for External Affairs in the development and administration of activities to enhance and improve the local, regional, national and international image of the St. Louis Symphony. Effect and improve understanding by the public and internal entities of the organization’s mission, achievements and core competencies; to help publicize activities and performances; to proactively identify issues that may impact the organization; and to help execute the Symphony’s day-to-day public relations activities. The primary method of accomplishing these goals is through various means of communication, both oral and written with the ongoing cultivation of many key relationships inside and outside the Symphony family. Also, assist with other areas of the External Affairs Department as needed.

Event Producer & Community Catalyst (Daybreaker – Denver)

Job summary: As a Daybreaker Event Producer & Community Catalyst (we’ll call you a “Producer” for short), you are the face of Daybreaker in your city! That means you will be the face of Daybreaker in your city, responsible for building an engaged and passionate community, producing mind-blowing experiences, and promoting the events to relevant audiences. You will be supported by the hardworking Daybreaker HQ team, who will coach and train you to be the best Producer you can be. We’ll provide you with the skeleton of what you need to produce Daybreaker events, grow your community, and uphold the global brand. It’s up to you to bring the hustle, passion, and creative zeal to create unique and refreshing events that participants will love. You’ll be in charge of finding venues, sourcing talent and performers, cultivating a volunteer production team, coordinating with vendors and sponsors, creating local partnerships, and producing monthly events. We’ll provide marketing, communications, operations, branding, sponsorship, financing, and PR support so that you can concentrate on creating experiences that participants will never forget.

Record Label / Distributor Marketing Associate (Empiure – San Francisco)

Job summary: EMPIRE is looking for a passionate and dedicated Marketing Manager to liaise with the artist repertoire and work with internal departments including A&R, Sales, Production, Business Affairs and Finance as well as outside agencies such as designers, media agencies and PR companies to manage the rollout of priority releases.

Executive Assistant (Sony/Century Media – Los Angeles)

Job summary: This position will provide administrative support to the President, Century Media and also support product managers with executing various administrative tasks.

General Manager (TouchTunes – NYC)

Job summary: Reporting to the Chairman and CEO of TouchTunes Music, the General Manager of our music solutions business is responsible for managing our custom music program, overseeing our current North American footprint.  The GM manages Custom Music’s’ Sales, Curation and Operation’s teams and works closely with TouchTunes Corporate Finance, Legal, Accounting, and Licensing teams. This role will provide leadership and direction to the Custom Music team to ensure its objectives are met and TouchTunes’ Custom Music business grows by deepening existing relationships with key partners and expanding our current customer base.  

Frontline Operations Assistant (Songkick – Brooklyn, NY)

Job summary: We have an immediate opening for an ambitious graduate to join our Frontline Operations team. We’re looking for someone who has excellent time management skills, is passionate about the music business, and has a great attitude. In this role, you’ll be on the front lines, helping the Artist Services, Marketing and Business Development teams to build a direct relationship between our artists and their biggest fans through our innovative, direct-to-fan ticketing campaigns. This is a temporary (3 month) part-time opportunity with the potential to turn into a full-time position after winning us over with your outstanding work performance. Ideally, you’ll be available to work from our Brooklyn office for 3-4 days per week.

YouTube Rights Management Specialist (Downtown Music Publishing – NYC)

Job summary: Downtown Music Publishing is seeking a temporary YouTube Rights Management Specialist. This temporary role will primarily support our audiovisual content management efforts, specializing in the ingestion of our represented catalog into Content ID. The YouTube Rights Management Specialist will also review YouTube videos for uses of our administered songs, increasing our coverage across the platform, as well as generally managing our songs using YouTube’s Content Manager dashboard.

Regional Music Director (Salvation Army – Philadelphia)

Job summary: Facilitate the evaluation and reporting of participants in assigned corps in the Pendel Music Arts Proficiency Program (M.A.P.). Assist with publicity and implementation of divisional and regional music and arts events, including summer Conservatory and Musicamp programs held at Camp Ladore. Attend and support Territorial, Divisional, and Regional music and arts events.Successfully carry out a leadership role, decided with the Divisional Music Director, with Pendel Youth or Prep Music and Arts programs. Participate on divisional music committee and any committees related to that region’s music activities. Conduct self always in a manner that reflects credit on The Salvation Army and encourages others to do the same.

Publicity Associate (Infamous PR – Culver City, CA)

Job summary: Infamous PR, a leading public relations firm specializing in electronic music, is seeking an Publicity Associate to join its growing and dedicated office located in Culver City, CA. The position will require supporting the PR team by assisting in materials creation (press releases, one sheets, etc), pitching media outlets both inside and outside of the electronic music realm, press list management and reporting to clients. Prior PR experience, strong communication skills, and deep knowledge of electronic music is a must.

Sales & Marketing Associate, Synch Team (Sony – Los Angeles )

Job summary: The focus of this position is frontline contact with a variety of clients, covering everything from Advertising Agencies, to Filmmakers, Production companies, and more. The primary function of this role is servicing the diverse music needs of our clients. Looking for the perfect addition to our hard-working, and fun-loving team in LA!

Marketing & Events Manager (Soundscaps – Newport News, VA)

Job summary: The Marketing & Events Manager is responsible for creation and implementation of marketing efforts, special events, and donor cultivation for Soundscapes, Inc. In addition, this position will assist the Executive Director with day-to-day activities, serve as Board Secretary (taking and transcribing minutes of all board and committee meetings), and maintain the office calendar.

Account Executive (CMG Miami Radio – Hollywood, FL)

Job summary: The Media Consultant position carries the responsibility for developing and selling radio/digital/event advertising campaigns to prospective businesses for CMG Miami Radio’s 4 super brands and our robust digital offerings. This individual must be independent, very organized and detail-oriented. We are looking for candidates that are competitive in nature, who have the ability to first seek to understand a problem, and then develop creative ideas and solutionThe ideal candidate will have a disciplined approach to maintaining day-to-day sales activity levels, the ability to prospect and acquire new business, strong presentation skills and a proven track record in building and sustaining client-based relationships. This role will also be educating our clients and agencies on our robust suite of digital products/services such as Display, SEO, SEM, mobile, social media and reach extension solutions.

Performance Marketing Coordinator (Spotify – NYC)

Job summary: Spotify is looking for a talented digital marketer to join the Performance Marketing team in our New York office. This role will report to the Performance Marketing Manager and support all aspects of paid acquisition efforts. Responsibilities include identifying and optimizing strategic growth levers across social, mobile and remarketing, and testing and vetting new opportunities for efficiency and scale. Success in this role means being at the intersection of marketing and innovation. The ideal candidate for this position will be analytical, curious, a great communicator, willing to get his/her hands dirty and stay on ahead of industry trends.

Retail Programs Manager (Google Play – Mountain View, CA)

Job summary: The Google Play team is looking for a creative and talented professional to manage strategic global retail programs for the gift card business. You’ll work on key programs that allow the business to maximize the effectiveness of its retail footprint such as: best-in-class retail presentation, product design and product extension strategy, shopper insights, and customer engagement. You should be comfortable managing global projects through the complete life-cycle including scoping, planning, executing, implementing and measuring impact. This will require working closely with internal teams as well as coordinating with external partners. An enthusiastic, detail-oriented approach is critical for success.

Executive Producer – Music (Jaunt VR – Santa Monica, CA)

Job summary: Jaunt is a fully-funded venture-backed tech company based in Palo Alto, CA. The virtual reality company is pioneering the end-to-end solutions for creating truly immersive cinematic VR. Jaunt Studios is the creative arm of the company based Los Angeles. Jaunt Studios is developing, producing and collaborating with various brands and creatives on creating immersive live-action virtual reality experiences. We are seeking a Executive Producer to build out and support the Music vertical and working major artists and music studios.

Development Manager (Musiqa – Houston)

Job summary: The Development Manager is responsible for facilitating Board and staff in building strong relationships within the funding community and manages the organization’s fundraising program, garnering programmatic and general operating support from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies, through grantwriting, the annual fund, special events, sponsorships and major gifts. S/he works closely with the Artistic and Executive Directors, members of the Development and Marketing Committee and Board of Directors to sustain current fundraising levels and develop strategies to broaden financial support of Musiqa and its mission.

International Music Communications Manager (Apple – Cupertino, CA)

Job summary: Apple is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial leader with a passion for music and entertainment to coordinate communications between the company’s Cupertino and Los Angeles central teams and its international music teams. The International Music Communications Manager will work with closely with the business, artist & label relations, marketing, product marketing, business development, design, analytics, and other teams to foster better information exchange between more than a dozen teams worldwide.

Categories
News

Haulix Weekly Update #137: “Isn’t it nice we hate the same things?”

Hello, people of Earth. We hope this update finds you healthy, happy, and able to avoid the harsh heat wave currently plaguing our nation. The last few days have been unusually hot, especially for us here in Minnesota, but our team has managed to stay cool thanks to our constant presence in our air conditioned office. If you do not have AC at home we highly recommend visiting a library, cinema, or restaurant and enjoying their cool air. While you consider your options, watch this:

As I mentioned above, 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:

We are so close to unveiling the new Haulix. We know we have said that roughly fifteen times in the past, but we have never meant it more than we do right now. The new Haulix is real, and our entire team has seen it in action. We’ve even begun showing clients some of the possibilities. For example, check out this mock promo we pieced together just last night:

Not too shabby, right?

We are keeping the launch date of the updated platform under wraps just in case something comes up, but suffice to so we hope to be pushing things live within the next couple weeks. Again, we have certainly said all this before, but we have never been as close to going live as we are right now. We promise, you only have to wait a little bit longer.

Blog news:

The focus of our outreach this week has been our podcast. We released two new episodes of Inside Music in recent days, and each showcases a unique perspective on this crazy business. The first, with Matt Halpern, tells of what it’s like to be a successful metal band. The second, with Mod Sun, captures the life of a rapper on the rise and all the challenges such a person faces on their journey to global recognition. We are very proud of these episodes, and we hope you find time to enjoy them in the days ahead. If you missed anything as of late, especially our podcasts, please head over to our archive and catch up ASAP.

That is all we have for today. Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Best 

-Haulix

Categories
News Podcasts

Inside Music Podcast #83: Mod Sun

On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell sits down with hippy-hop innovator Mod Sun to discuss his career, including what fans should expect from his upcoming album. James and Mod Sun have a long history of working together in music, but this is the first time they have shared a conversation with the rest of the world. When not discussing his record, Mod Sun tells James about growing up in Minnesota, meeting Don Cannon, and how he came to own one of Travis Barker’s prized Cadillacs.

The song you hear in this episode is “Smokin What I’m Smokin On” from Mod Sun’s upcoming album. You can stream the song in full on Soundcloud.

You may already know this, but Inside Music is available on iTunes. Click here to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Categories
News

8 Terrible Lyric Clichés You Need to Stop Using in Your Songs (And What to Write Instead)

This post is the latest in our ongoing collaboration series with Sonicbids. Enjoy.

Be honest: have your lyrics ever found you down on your knees and begging please, or noting that when things change, they also rearrange? Has anything in one of your songs ever cut like a knife?

If you’re 16 and in your first band, you can be forgiven for coming up with the same metaphors and phrases that have occurred to thousands before you, but if you want to be a real lyricist, you should be aware of these overused lyrical concepts. It’s the only way to avoid them!

1. “Cold as ice”

This tired simile, usually applied to a woman who’s not interested (or no longer interested) in the male songwriter, might be the number-one most trite phrase in music.

Try this instead: You can change the subject and the substance of this silly simile. Roger Waters flipped this one on its head all the way back in 1977 on “One of My Turns” when he sang that he felt “cold as a razor blade.” Better still, he was talking about depression and self-harm, not lost love.

2. “It cuts like a knife”

This is not only a common metaphor for love, it’s a stupid one. Love makes one feel lots of things, but it’s never once made me feel as though I was cut by a knife. Stabbed, perhaps, but not sliced.

Try this instead: If one must use a painful metaphor for love, consider some other sources of pain and/or death (probably skipping drowning – that one’s overused, too): choking, electrocution, burning, gunshots, blunt-force trauma, road rash, or some sort of allergic reaction. All of these have been used, and some of them used a lot, but most songwriters go for the knife.

3. “I’m down on my knees”

Usually rhymed with “please,” this bluesy couplet retreads the same theme of lost love, and more specifically an undignified plea for affection that once was freely given.

Try this instead: Throw the whole phrase out, and find another way to express your feeling. Warren Zevon, an encyclopedia of interesting lyrics, dodged all cliché when addressing this concept on “Accidentally, Like a Martyr,” singing, “Never thought I’d have to pay so dearly / for what was already mine.”

Surely there are other, more colorful ways to address the demeaning act of begging a lover to stay… like mentioning whatever you did to piss him or her off in the first place.

4. When everything happens “tonight”

Is there a word or syllable missing in your lyric? Just add the word “tonight.” This word haunts the end of millions of phrases, more common than a comma or a period. It’s the inevitable word that replaces an actual idea the lyricist might have.

Try this instead: The worst thing about this one is the total lack of any sense of time in most lyrics that feature it. It’s always “tonight,” a night that is going on now and will never end… and it would be more effective in future tense.

For example, “You’re my baby tonight” (more on “baby” later) is a lot less interesting than whatever is going to happen later, creating a sense of tension. “I’m crawling out my window tonight,” or “Meet me at the railroad tracks tonight” are examples.

5. “Things aren’t always what they seem”

Well, no, they’re not, but this trite vaguery doesn’t actually mean anything, like when Polonius cried, “To thine own self be true” in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. What the Bard intended as the babble of a fool has become universally cited as profound advice. For some reason, this cliché has come home to roost in hard rock and heavy metal more than other genres. Maybe it’s the drugs, but even when the world is confusing and strange to sensitive artists, this one should be left out.

Try this instead: Maybe this concept of confusion and uncertainty can be expressed more easily through music than lyrics. That’s what psychedelic music is, right? Grab your wah-wah pedal and soak those tracks in delay.

6. “Walking,” “climbing,” and “swimming”: the triathlon of love

How many times have we heard about how far the songwriter will walk, climb, or swim to reach a lover? And isn’t this whole concept a little archaic? In a world in which one can drive through a tunnel from England in be in France minutes later, the idea of a loved one being thousands of miles away just doesn’t have the impact it did when all those miles had to be on horseback.

Try this instead: Being a week’s ride from your beloved meant a lot more in the 1800s than it does today. That power of distance returns when the song itself is a period piece, taking the listener back to early times, as Cordelia’s Dad does on this folk number about sailing across the sea in exile.

7. “Baby”

Who knows when or why we started calling everyone “baby”? Think about your friends and family. Who in your circle can get away with calling you that? Technically, calling an adult a baby is a metaphor… just a really, really lame one. But if you’re going metaphorical, the sky’s the limit.

Try this instead: You can use any pet name or any comparison you’d like. Nobody thinks of AC/DC as an especially poetic band, but when Brian Johnson sang “she was a fast machine” on “You Shook Me All Night Long,” that was actually a pretty nice metaphor. Think how much weaker the line would have been if he sang, “She was my baby.” Try anything, anything but the baby.

8. “Soar like an eagle” and “learning to fly”

Birds, with their beauty, their spectacular aerial skills, and their long migrations have always inspired artists of all kinds. Songwriters are constantly learning to fly or mending damaged wings, two metaphorical clichés that deserve to finally die. That doesn’t mean that all flight metaphors need to go, but if you’re going to call someone a bird, at least be specific.

Try this instead: The names of specific species or types of things often have more poetic and evocative value than vague terms like “bird,” as Sun Kil Moon explore on their whole album Admiral Fell Promises. Songwriter Mark Kozelek mentions hummingbirds, pigeons, and gulls to give his listeners a sense of place, evoking oceans, deserts, or pastoral scenes.

Think whip-poor-wills, mockingbirds, redstarts, harriers, and nighthawks. The sounds and appearance of different birds can conjure thoughts of specific places and times, like geese flocking in the fall in New England or the calls of thrushes in the spring. But let’s give the eagle and the dove a rest; they’ve definitely done their bit.

Jesse Sterling Harrison is an author, recording artist, and part-time farmer. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, three daughters, and a herd of ducks.

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