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What You Need To Know Before Pursuing A Career in Music

You’re not crazy for wanting to work in the music business, but there is something you should know before your journey begins.

I know you because I was you. In your mind, music is more of a religion than an art form. You know everything about the artists you love, and you understand the basics of the business more than any of your friends. You get excited by crunching the math behind a tour routing as you do the artists on that tour. In short, you spend every free moment thinking about music, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’ve shared your passion for music with friends or family, they probably expressed concern. “Music is cool,” they may say, “but it’s no place you should want to work.”

Such criticisms are not entirely unfounded. Music is not the right industry for most people. Working in music often means long hours, low pay, limited benefits, and no clear path to professional progression. Some may start in the mailroom of a big label and rise to the top of the executive ladder, but far more do a little bit of everything they can until something takes off. Most music professionals are really good at one thing and adequately qualified to do a dozen other things, some of which may or may not relate to their current role.

Furthermore, music is often thankless. For every bit of appreciation you receive for your contributions, there will be countless hours spent toiling away on a project that is never attributed to you. It is very easy — not to mention entirely possible — that you will work yourself to the bone on something the world disregards almost as soon as it’s made available to the public. That happens far more often than the other, the more glamorous outcome of working in music. For every team of professionals that helps a superstar reach the heights of popularity, there are thousands of similarly qualified teams of professionals duking it out for even the slightest amount of success. That, as they say, is just the way it is.

I say none of this with the hopes of crushing your dreams or pushing you to other pursuits. After all, I’m now in my thirties and still working in music. If I thought this industry was evil or somehow unscalable, I would have quit and started teaching as my parents asked me to do no less than one-hundred times before writing this open letter. I honestly do not know if I could survive outside the industry at this point. Music is my life, and I would prefer it to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Sometimes I’m invited to speak at conferences and schools about working in the industry. Inevitably, someone in the audience will raise their hand and ask for advice on how one goes from being a person who is passionate about working in music to someone who has a job in music. The same information that applies to virtually every career path applies to music as well: Work hard, learn as much as you can, network often, and treat everyone you meet the way you wish to be treated. It’s all the same no matter what you’re trying to become, but it doesn’t help.

What I have to share today might not seem helpful at first, but those who are truly meant to be in this industry will understand why it matters.

When it comes to working in music, the best way to start and build a career is by doing the work. Pick something you’re interested in, do it as much as possible to the best of your abilities regardless of the money you make, and in time you will become an indispensable part of the music business.

Let me rephrase. The best way to have a career in music is to keep your hopes high and work to do the things that interest you as good as you are able.

It seems simple, right?

If you’re upset that this big reveal wasn’t some trick that helps you skip over the difficult early stages of professionalism where you balance multiple jobs to make your dream possible, I’m sorry. I understand your frustrations, as does everyone else working in music because we were once where you are now. We were all lost beginner, trying to find our way toward prosperity while desperately wishing to be taken seriously.

I started booking and promoting concerts when I was fourteen. I was playing shows with my own music by sixteen, and while walking across the stage to get my high school diploma, there was a box of CDs in my trunk that I needed to distribute as part of my role as a record label street team member. In college, I studied music business during the day and ran a music blog at night. I also promoted for more labels, hosted a radio show, and promoted for local venues. I didn’t see a dime in compensation until I landed my first job in music roughly six months after graduation, and I didn’t make enough to cover my bills until a year after that. Was it hard? Yes. Would I do it all again if I knew it leads to the role I have no? Absolutely.

In music, there are no shortcuts. A degree won’t get you a job, nor will knowing the right people. The only path to a career in music is by doing the work that needs to be completed. The long hours, thankless efforts, low pay, and downright frustrating hurdles to complete even the most seemingly simple tasks are all part of the journey. It’s a litmus test, in a way, that helps separate those who love music from people who are passionate about the business of music, and it never fails.

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News

How To Survive the Holiday Slowdown

The holiday season is upon us, and in no time at all businesses across the industry will go dark so employees can celebrate this time of year with their loved ones. It’s a beautiful thing, especially in an industry notorious for long hours, but for a few professionals, it’s also maddening. Allow me to explain…

While many music professionals are able to set up out of office replies for the holidays, there are still bloggers, podcasters, and a wide variety of media people in between with audiences who demand a constant feed of fresh content. When the industry goes dark for a holiday, these poor souls (including yours truly) find themselves clicking through every pitch they receive in hopes of discovering something worth writing about. More often than not they settle on additional editorial content, generally in the form of telling you the best stuff you might have missed, and they pray it’s enough to keep clicks rolling in while the snow falls.

There is a saying in journalism that you should seek to tell stories you would want to read. If you should find yourself writing something you have no interest in reading it is highly likely those who see that article will feel the same. As much as fresh stories in a feed can be useful for business is it really worth whatever investment of time they require if next to no one cares to read them?

People care less about entertainment news around the holidays than they do practically any other time of year. Don’t take this personally though, as it is true for virtually every publication. Entertainment and entertainment news is the distraction we fill our days with when doing things we would otherwise avoid if we could, like work. Holidays are communal escapes, offerings friends and family the chance to do things they want to do, therefore lowering the need for distractions.

To put it another way, the demand does not exist because the need for something that brings joy is met through other (arguably far more important) means.

This year, I want to challenge all music writers out there to try something different. Rather than beat your head against your keyboard in between clicking refresh on your RSS feeds, take a little time to experience what the rest of the world does this time of year. Schedule tweets and make whatever necessary posts you feel you must make to maintain appearances, but as soon as that is done shut down your computer and experience this thing call life. Talk to the people who support you and tell them of your vision for the new year. Ask people what they have been up to with their time, and make it a point to really listen to their words. Be present, and remember you will never have two holiday seasons that work the same way. The people around you now may not be there next year, so don’t take a minute for granted.

This won’t be easy, but I have good news: The music industry will still be here when you get back. I know you will feel like you are slipping behind, but there is rarely a single headline in the last ten to fourteen days of the new year that drastically impacts the music landscape. You know this as well as I do, so quit lying to yourself and accept that it is okay to spend a little time offline. Who knows? It might even do you good to unplug.

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Job Board News

Music Industry Job Board (June 4, 2018)

New openings:

Touring Coordinator (AEG Presents – NYC)

The Touring Coordinator is responsible for supporting the touring department operations by maintaining office systems, controlling department correspondence – the dissemination of tour information to all relevant departments, the maintenance of venue, artist and tour databases, conducting new and relevant research to update the databases as needed. The touring coordinator may also be assigned various projects for the touring department including but not limited to the creation of potential tour designs, initial drafting of potential tour offers, coordinating the tour budget development, working on tour routing and execution of venue deals for tour.

Manager, Music Licensing (Audio Network – NYC)

The Music Licensing Manager will be responsible for securing deals with new clients, developing existing relationships and long-term growth of license sales with branded content/advertising.

Business Development / A&R (Bread and Circuses – Maitland, FL)

The Bread and Circuses A&R representative works in tandem with our scouting effort to discover and ultimately sign exciting and emerging musical talent. In doing so Bread and Circuses utilizes a consultive approach to educate and motivate potential clients to make an informed and intelligent choice that will advance their music career. Once a new artist is boarded, Bread and Circuses provides a scope of work and team that augments with the client’s record label, investor or existing management, in order to accomplish the client’s goals.

During each campaign the Bread and Circuses A&R representative works as a liaison between the client and our fulfillment team, while services are being rendered. In doing so, as an A&R representative, you’ll act as a coach and manager from time to time while striving to develop an ongoing relationship with your artist.

Bread and Circuses is enjoying a growth phase and is currently seeking candidates with transferable skills, who wish to either break into the music industry, or music industry professionals who wish to join an innovative company.

Artist Services Manager (Apple – Culver City, CA)

We’re seeking an experienced, motivated, and passionate music industry professional to manage its global business for Artist Services. Based in Culver City, CA, this person will work closely with artists and artist managers, as well key internal Apple partners to build and implement a first-class artist services strategy. You’ll have a strong and proficient understanding of digital entertainment, e-commerce, digital services platforms, and social media. You will be able to work collaboratively within a team structure; think strategically; execute tactically; and possess strong planning and communication skills.

Admin Assistant for Non-Profit Music Organization (Jacaranda Music – Los Angeles, CA)

Non-profit contemporary classical music organization is seeking a part-time administrative assistant to work with the artistic and executive director.

We are a leading music concert series in Los Angeles with performances mostly between October and May. This position will require 3-4 days per week in a home office in Silver Lake, as well as attendance of all concerts (mostly in Santa Monica), off-site board meetings, and donor and fundraising events. Pay will be commensurate with experience and days of the week are flexible.

Music / Fashion Production Assistant (The Hyv – Los Angeles)

The Hyv, a fast growing artist merchandise fulfillment company is looking for a motivated career minded person who’s passionate about music and/or fashion to join our growing team. We seek an experienced production assistant to organize and oversee the manufacturing of apparel and accessory merchandising for a unique roster of musicians and visual artists. You will be ultimately responsible for coordinating orders, communicating with clients to meet manufacturing requirements, and overseeing shipping/receiving and e-commerce departments for the fulfillment of said merchandise.

Assistant, Music Business Affairs (CAA – Los Angeles, CA)

We are currently seeking an assistant to provide support to an executive in the Music Touring Business Affairs department. The position offers a tremendous opportunity to learn about the entertainment/legal affairs business and provides exposure to industry executives and lawyers. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, possessing a desire to pursue a career in the business realm of the entertainment industry.

Music Booking Intern (A Mighty Lamb Productions – Los Angeles, CA)

This role is to support the Booking Manager of A Mighty Lamb Production team. The booking manager is responsible for coordinating and executing all Breaking Sound showcase events. The team strives to ensure all events are rewarding and memorable for artists, along with a great experience for audiences.

Artist Management Intern (Reflect Management – Los Angeles, CA)

Reflect Management is a boutique artist management company based in Los Angeles. We represent a small roster of artists, producers, and songwriters who have worked with some of the most progressive and influential acts in modern music. We are searching for an intern who is interested in getting a firsthand experience in the music industry and functions of a manager, starting in June 2018.

The candidate should be creative and have a desire to build a career in the music industry. The role will be heavily focused on schedule management, creative, marketing, distribution, tour logistics and artist liaison as well as day to day tasks. The internship will primarily be remote and will require the intern to provide their own laptop.

This is an unpaid position and there is no guarantee of a long-term position at the end of the internship term, but our aim is for our interns to transition into successful careers in the music industry as a result of their work with us. Please note that we will compensate interns for their travel expenses, reimbursing either public transportation or gas costs.

Music Producer (Kelektive – Winter Park, FL)

KELEKTIVE is an established full-service media company located in Central Florida, seeking an enthusiastic music producer. The music producer will assist with producing music for a new television show airing on Discovery Channel. The music being produced for the show should have a cinematic, orchestra, strings feel.

KELEKTIVE not only conceptualizes innovating media, but also it is an innovative concept in itself. From cinematography, photography, editing, graphics, 2D/3D animation, and web development, KELEKTIVE can address any media and marketing need a client may have. We specialize in proficiently building a client’s brand. Backed by Slater Productions, an award winning Production Company with well over a decade of industry experience. KELEKTIVE utilizes the combined talents of an extensive group of top industry professionals in every aspect of production. This list is ever-expanding as our client list grows and new media and technology arises.

Chart Manager (Prometheus Global Media – NYC)

The Boxscore/Touring Chart Manager is responsible for all aspects of Billboard’s Boxscore charts, including data acquisition, data entry, database maintenance, editorial contributions & analysis, and maintaining and developing touring industry relationships. This person would not only be responsible for maintaining the relevancy and accuracy of Billboard’s Boxscore/Touring charts but also for seeking out new means and sources of data acquisition. This chart manager would be an integral Billboard representative to the touring industry community and act as a liaison between those contacts and Billboard. The chart manager also contributes nearly daily editorial content/chart analysis for print and online and reviews daily data feeds and oversees compilation of finalists and winners for various touring recaps that influence our mid-year and year-end coverage, Touring Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Latin Billboard Music Awards shows, among others. The chart manager must be willing to work flexible hours and must be an effective and experienced social media communicator.

Creative Audio Specialist (LA Clippers – Los Angeles, CA)

Do you want to build an amazing NBA fan experience? Are you at the cutting edge of musical trends? Can you edit, mix and create audio elements that bring people to their feet. As the ideal Creative Audio Specialist, you will be well-versed in different genres of music, and will be the person who selects which music is played at Clippers game, alongside the live DJ.

Music Magazine Seeks Writers for Lollapalooza Issue (INNERVIEW Magazine – Chicago, IL)

Chicago INNERVIEW Magazine, Chicago’s leading source for independent live music, is seeking writers for its upcoming 2018 festival guide dedicated to Lollapalooza.

This is a part-time, unpaid work-from-home position. Your work will be showcased both online at chicagoinnerview.com and in print, where copies of our annual festival guides will be directly distributed on site at the festival.

Booking Agent (Rhymes Agent – Bowie, MD)

Participate in the Talent Evaluation Process

Booking agents collaborate with agency management to determine the best opportunities for vocalists, bands, and event professionals.

Build Rapport with Clients

Building strong relationships is a key to success. Booking agents must be friendly, professional, and approachable by prospective clients, prospective artists and agency personnel at all times.

Identify Potential Booking Opportunities

Booking agents must have strong networking skills. They must keep strong professional relationships with owners of venues and event organizers within their niche to get their clients the best opportunities.

Negotiate Contract Terms for Clients

This is one of the most important responsibilities of a booking agent. The amount of money an artist/performer, the agency and the agent makes comes down to the negotiating skills of their booking agents. These negotiations can cover the amount of work expected, the amount and schedule of payment, who covers transportation and lodging costs, stage theatrical support, and items to be provided in the artist’s dressing room.

Collaborate with Event Promoters to Ensure Event Success

The compensation of an artist or performer typically includes a percentage of ticket and drink sales, so booking agents work with event promoters to deploy marketing strategies that generate ticket sales.

Music Mailroom & MarketPlace Assistant (Indiana University)

Backup for Mailroom Operations Coordinator as needed. Provides customer service assistance to the faculty, staff, students, and visitors of the Jacobs School by serving as an informational resource in the centrally located mailroom; distributes and records general office and classroom supplies to Jacobs School of Music departments and offices; sorts and distributes incoming mail and packages (less than 20 pounds) to multiple buildings (Practice, Merrill Hall, Musical Arts Center and East Studio Building); assists with mass duplicating services and self-service copy machines; assists with receiving and logging of packages via UPS, Federal Express, etc., maintains four copy machines with paper; maintains ESB workroom with office supplies; shreds confidential documents; and general knowledge of the Merrill Hall mailroom operating procedures.

Digital Strategist (45RPM – Washington DC)

45RPM is looking to hire a full-time Digital Strategist to join a growing team with offices in Blagden Alley Washington, DC and in La Roma in Mexico City. This strategist will need to work directly with the partners and clients to see their strategies implemented.

Ambassador 2, Music City Center (Metro Government of Nashville, TN)

Giving tours of the Music City Center highlighting the art collection and sustainability initiatives; must demonstrate professional attitude toward fellow Guest Experience Ambassadors, staff and the public using tact and courtesy; present polished, professional image to customers and the public; assist other departments as required; must be observant, have engaging personality and excellent communication skills.

Audio Video Technician (IDS Audio Video & Technologies – Plainview, NY)

We are currently seeking home technology specialists to assist our clients with all of their audio/video & security needs. The ideal candidate will have some working knowledge of all aspects in the audio/video industry. A positive and outgoing attitude towards customer service is a must. Technician will be working in the Tri-State Area in a fast paced growing company.

Business Development Director (90.7 WAY FM – Wichita, KS)

90.7 WAY-FM is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian music radio station located in Wichita, Kansas and has an immediate opening for a Business Development Director. The BDD helps raise financial support for the radio station and will call on businesses, churches and organizations to raise financial support by selling radio announcements and other marketing opportunities. This position offers a base salary and commission. WAY-FM also offers generous paid time-off, health insurance and a 401-k after one full year of employment. If you have broadcast media sales or outside business-to-business sales experience and you’re not afraid to prospect and cold-call, e-mail your cover letter, resume and brief statement of faith with “Wichita BDD” in the subject line. Get more details at WAYFM.com. An equal opportunity employer.

Announcer (Cox Media Group – Orlando, FL)

Cox Media Group – Orlando is looking for a part-time Announcer for WCFB, STAR 94.5, Today’s R&B and Throwbacks station. This is a golden opportunity to join the nation’s most sought-after radio company in sunny Orlando, Florida!

Music Products Representative (Atlas Music – Webster, NY)

We are a full-line music business involved with musical instrument sales, rentals, accessories, repairs, music lessons, print music and related services. With specific training the applicants should be prepared to assist customers with helpful consultation regarding these categories.

Editorial Operations Specialist (Dubset Media Holdings – San Francisco, CA)

Dubset Media is seeking an Editorial Operations Specialist. The key functions of the Editorial Operations department are research and QC to help clear and distribute DJ mixes and remixes to music services. This individual will have a versed background with emphasis in research, data-mining and passion for music information. A motivated self-starter with interests and understanding of the EDM/DJ culture and music.


Older posts (7+ Days)

Hip-Hop / R&B Artist Relations (Apple – NYC)

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and passionate music industry professional for its Artist Services area focused on Hip-Hop/R&B Artist Relations. Based in New York City, this person will work closely with artists and artist managers, as well key internal Apple partners to build and implement a first-class artist services strategy for this important sector of Apple’s music business. You’ll have a strong and proficient understanding of digital entertainment, e-commerce, digital services platforms, and social media. You will be able to work collaboratively within a team structure; think strategically; execute tactically, and possess strong planning and communication skills.

Label Relations Representative (Apple – NYC)

The Independent Label Relations Representatives act as the primary day-to-day leads for our label partners. They are responsible for handling relationships, developing content and improving revenue opportunities for independent label partners. We are the point contact for our independent label partners. We are a team that works cross-functionally across the Apple Music organization to facilitate business and operational needs, with the ultimate goal of identifying and driving mutual growth opportunities. Acting as internal advocates for our partners, the team is constantly working with partners to develop best practices and provide guidance, while navigating a large network of internal departments, deadlines, and assets needed on an ongoing basis.

Assistant, Live Experience (Superfly – NYC)

The Assistant, Live will provide overall support to the Live Experience department, including but not limited to: maintaining project overview documents, handling contract maintenance for artists and vendors, and assisting in the research and development of new creative projects. Additionally, the Assistant, Live will be responsible for managing calendars, scheduling meetings, processing expenses, and general administrative assistance to the team.

Executive Assistant, Digital Music (Amazon – Seattle, WA)

A unique opportunity is available to support 2-3 directors in Amazon Music’s Seattle office as an Executive Assistant. In addition, you will partner with the existing admin team to offer comprehensive support for a highly-distributed global organization. A successful candidate will have experience with heavy calendar management, travel coordination, event planning, large internal team meetings, leadership meetings, and external meeting coordination. The role requires strong, concise communication skills, poise and professionalism.

This role demands a strong sense of urgency and the ability to work independently on assignments and demonstrate sound judgment. The right candidate will have a strong bias for action and the ability to think proactively and strategically. A high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information and professionalism in dealing with senior professionals inside and outside the company is imperative.

Director, Artist & Label Services, West Coast (Soundcloud – Los Angeles, CA)

Director, Artist & Label Services is responsible for managing SoundCloud’s West Coast artist, management, and label community relationships. The Director will be responsible for supporting existing relationships and expanding SoundCloud’s connections throughout the music industry, with a focus on maximizing relationships with West Coast partners.

The ideal candidate will understand the music streaming landscape and have strong relationships across the creator community – including artists, managers, songwriters, producers, agents and record labels.

Assistant Program Director (Radio One – Detroit, MI)

To competently* and professionally* optimize all music elements; assist with administrative duties in the Programming Department. To competently* and professionally* provide continuity and surveillance information in a professional, knowledgeable and entertaining way and will be active in pre-show strategy and execution while staying within the negotiated job responsibilities at all times.

Gallery Educator, Museum of Making Music (NAMM – Carlsbad, CA)

Under the guidance of the Museum Education Manager, the Gallery Educator is responsible for providing engaging, informational and inspirational experiences to students who visit the museum with pre-scheduled tour groups.

Assistant, Music Brand Partnerships (CAA – Los Angeles)

CAA is seeking an Assistant to support an Agent in our Music Brand Partnerships department based in Los Angeles. CAA Music Brand Partnerships is a dedicated team of music branding and marketing experts that works across all genres. The department works to service the agency’s music clients by developing strategic campaigns and successful partnerships with brands from across the globe.

The ideal candidate should be motivated, quick-thinking, is passionate about working in the music industry, and has experience working in the marketing and/or events spaces. The individual should be a master of all things administratively related, a polished communicator, and able to interface directly with all clients and C-level industry executives while remaining poised during all encounters (in-person, phone, email, etc.).

This is a great opportunity for someone with an innovative mentality, is passionate about the music business and how musicians can integrate with brands beyond the live concert experience. Growth exsists for top performers.

Manager, Creator and Artist Development (YouTube – San Bruno, CA)

The Creator and Artist Development works with of YouTube creators and artists by helping them develop their audience, grow their watch-time through delivering innovative and targeted best practices, solutions and recommendations. As Manager of the North America Creator and Artist Development Team, you will lead a team focused on partner management across a diverse set of YouTube creators. You will ensure global alignment and execution of the Creator and Artist Development strategy; interact and collaborate with other teams such as Product and Partner Go-To-Market, Support Operations, Insights, Impact and Tools, and Marketing.

Operations Manager, Music Town (Entercom Communications Corp – Detroit, MI)

Seeking a high energy, outgoing self-starter to manage MusicTown in Detroit.

Senior Editor, Hip Hop (Spotify – NYC)

We are looking for a broadly experienced Sr. Editor/Music Programmer to join Spotify’s Shows & Editorial team in New York. You will identify and curate first rate music playlist listening experiences for a multitude of our moods, moments, and genres. You demonstrate a passion for performance-oriented analytics, and will have your ear to the ground in the music community. Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music.

Music Director / Band Manager (Mulberry Music Group – Washington DC)

Live Music Performance Company Seeking Music Director/Band Manager For Several Bands.

NY Based Label/Band Management Company looking for person to seek out writers, arrangers, and to manage and direct 3 bands ranging in size from 5 – 9 pcs.

This is a Part time job unless applicant is skilled and available enough to handle all tasks required for all bands. If candidate is determined to be qualified to direct, write and coordinate all of the groups involved, this position will be offered as full-time to that candidate.

Coordinator, Digital Revenue (Sony – Franklin, TN)

The digital revenue team at Provident Label Group works hand-in-hand with online partners to expand our artists’ reach across the digital landscape. We’re looking for someone with a passion for faith-based music, someone whose attention to detail, proven organizational skills, self-motivation and great attitude will help the cogs run smoothly.

If you’re a highly detail-oriented individual who can manage complex spreadsheets…If you can meet deadlines and adapt quickly to changes…
Then consider this rewarding position as Digital Revenue Coordinator who can coordinate processes to streamline promotions for digital service providers and provide administrative support for Digital Revenue staff.

Music Theory Coordinator (Foundation 2 FAME – Miami, FL)

Foundation 2 F.A.M.E. is a 501©(3) youth empowerment agency designed to support the inner city through creative expression, leadership development, and financial literacy. The organization is in need of a part-time Music Theory Coordinator for our summer program running from June 11th-August 3rd.

Brand Marketing Manager Lead, Emerging Artist Marketing and Music Industry Marketing (YouTube – NYC)

As a Brand Marketing Manager Lead, you will be a creative, strategic, hands-on leader who will help define the future of our artist marketing programs and how we communicate them to both our consumers and our partners. You’ll have the opportunity to work across a wide-range of artist marketing efforts, including our emerging artist program (Artist On The Rise), new product launches and Music industry facing communication and activation. You will work internally with a cross-functional team across product, label relations, artist relations, communications, legal, media, social and externally with labels, artists and managers.

Apple Media Products, Music Metadata Lead (Apple – Santa Clara Valley, CA)

The people here at Apple don’t just create products — they create the kind of wonder that’s revolutionized entire industries. It’s the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. We love music—it’s an emotional experience, and for many of us, an obsession. When someone hears the right music at just the right moment, it’s transformational, and that’s precisely why we do what we do. The Apple Music Metadata team is responsible for managing, aggregating, correcting, and connecting metadata to create the best user experience possible. We are seeking a Lead for the music metadata team with core focus on China. You will be responsible for building scalable processes, and partnering with business team and other teams to ensure that we meet our deadlines and deliver the best experience on Apple Music. You will work closely with engineering and development team to implement new features and enhancements.

Coordinator, Mechanical Licensing (WMG – Los Angeles)

We’re looking for independent, enthusiastic, music loving applicants ready to work with our team and provide our writers with amazing service so the mechanical royalties for their released products can be paid to them in a timely manner.

Promotions Coordinator, Special Projects (Cumulus Media – Atlanta, GA)

Cumulus Atlanta is looking for a level-header, self starter that can be part of a creative promotional department that is looking to innovate on-sight activations as well as shape the relationships between stations and clients. Can you work with a team, come to play everyday and have an out-of-box approach to any assignment? If you said yes, read on.

Booking & Talent Relations Manager (Fuse Media – NYC)

Based in our New York City location, Fuse Media is currently seeking a Manager within the Music and Talent Relations Department. This role will spearhead the casting and booking of music celebrities into Fuse digital series and creative initiatives. It will be charged with identifying key talent, building and managing relationships with, and developing new ideas to grow this talent across all of our platforms. In addition, this role will also serve as a strategic advisor between talent/content creators/influencers and internal departments including content, sales, social, creative, PR and events. The ideal candidate is a pop culture junkie that lives and breathes the latest trends in music, fashion, food, technology, influencers and megastars with an intuitive sense of what will resonate with Fuse’s multicultural millennial audience.

Executive Assistant (JaQuel Knight Entertainment – Los Angeles)

JaQuel Knight Entertainment has a job opening for an Executive Assistant to the CEO and founder, JaQuel Knight. The Executive Assistant is responsible for the including but not limited to: managing the day-to-day administrative functions for the CEO including schedule management, travel bookings and preparation, meeting coordination & minutes, managing a variety of clerical duties, building creative decks, and helping build and oversee all other endeavors of JaQuel Knight Entertainment.

Requiring extreme time availability and flexibility.

Categories
News

How to pursue your passions without quitting your job

If there is one complaint we hear more often than any other from those on the come up in music it is this: I wish I had more time to pursue my passions.

It is easy to understand why this complaint is so popular, especially in today’s fast-paced world of entertainment. Once someone choose the path or career they wish to pursue they are taught to pour everything they have into that one goal, to sacrifice as needed in pursuit of something bigger than what they have now. This logic was pushed onto our team members when they were starting out more than a decade ago and it is still being taught to aspiring industry newcomers today.

Here’s the thing: While it is important to focus your energy on chasing the things you are most passionate about it is foolish to assume anyone is passionate about just one thing. Most people are passionate about many things, and more often than not those things are all related. Musicians, for example, are often interested in production and publicity. Likewise, many folks working on the business side of music have an artistic side they wish to further explore.

The problem is, the current industry culture does not promote pursuit of passions that lie outside what pays your bills. Some could argue it actively promotes against them, urging professionals at any level to be constantly connected to what’s happening minute to minute all over the industry. This forces people into believing they have to put in forty hours a week, if not sixty or even eighty, if they want to succeed. That kind of daunting commitment makes considering other, non-paying projects very difficult.

If all of this rings a bit too familiar to you we have a solution. It is not exactly a groundbreaking notion, nor is it guaranteed to help you make your side hustle a full time gig, but it will promote further creativity outside the confines of your job.

Here’s the trick: Make time.

It’s the simple! Make time every day to do the things you want and do not allow yourself or anyone else to tell you such things are frivolous because they are not. Whether you only have five minutes each day in between jobs or an hour before bed, find time to do something for yourself and own it. Stake a claim to your own finite amount of time and do not let anyone take it from you. The industry will still be there when you are done, always. It is not going to leave you behind just because you thought to do something for yourself instead of refreshing your feeds for the thirty-first time.

If you want to express yourself beyond the scope of your current career then it is on you to make that happen. No one is going to make time for you, nor is anyone going to ask if you would like to do less so that personal projects can get more attention. In fact, most are going to actively try and consume your free time so that they can hopefully make time in their lives for the things that interest them beyond the confines of their office. You’re not the only one who wishes they had more time, but you can be the one who makes a decision to find the time and keep it for themselves. You have that power.

Will it be everything you need? Probably not. At least, not at first. Your goal right now should simply be starting, and once you do that then you can refine your focus further. Don’t look to write a novel next month if you cannot find time to write a poem today. Setting unattainable goals will only make it harder for you to follow through on chasing dreams because they will always seem too out of reach to be worthy of attempts in the first place. Follow your passions one steps a time and slowly, but surely you will make progress. I guarantee it.

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Your to-do list is killing you. Long live to-do lists.

There was a time in music when being really good at one thing was enough to secure some form of employment. If you could talk to people in radio about new music and sound convincing, you could get a job. If you could hustle merchandise at shows and keep good records, you could get a job. If you understood how to find and contact music writers about new artists, you could get a job. As long as there was one thing you could show others you understood how to do better than they themselves could do it, you could find a job somewhere in music.

For better and worse, those days are now long gone.

In today’s music business, having a plethora of skills is key to securing employment more often than not. The budget for staffing is tight across the board in music, so employers are actively seeking individuals they believe can fulfill the needs usually met by a team of people. As a result, simply knowing how to do one or two things really well is no longer enough to justify the need for someone to give you a job. Aspiring professionals today need one or two strong skills, as well as several other skills or talents that can be applied to whatever role they seek. If you’re looking to do publicity for example, writing and sending clever emails is no longer enough. Those competing for publicity roles today are good at emails, cold calling, social media outreach, and they have a good ear for finding new talent because, more often than not, they started their own PR firm and have already worked with several small time artists they know through school or friends. These people are essentially unpaid professionals, and they have already worked on everything that a paying role would ask of them and then some. That is what you have to assume anyone competition with you for a job has already accomplished, and you need to make sure you do some of those things yourself if you want to even be considered for a role in this industry.

It wouldn’t be possible for me to outline everything you need to do in order to make yourself appear as a strong candidate for any job in the industry as the needs for each individual role will vary greatly from job to job. I can, however, help you make one change to your current behavior that will enable you to expand your skill set while still refining the skills you’ve already developed. To do this, you need to recognize that your current to-do list is a mess, and you should also understand most other people have horrible to-do lists as well because they, like you, expect to much. They seek to ensure they do everything they can to position themselves for employment, and through doing so create a list of tasks so daunting that completing the tasks can feel next to impossible. The reminder of how much remains undone eats away at you in time and, slowly but surely, you begin to doubt your ability to reach the next level of this business.

To fix this, not to mention simplify your life as a whole, throw out whatever to-do list you currently maintain and start creating today lists instead. By this, I mean creating a new list of goals each and every morning that outlines everything you need to do that particular day in order to be ready for the next morning. The amount of things you need to do in a week or month will not change, but the feeling you have toward what is left unaccomplished will because you won’t be looking at several days or weeks worth of work at once. Instead, your brain will see 5-10 things that, with hard work, can most likely be accomplished between sunrise and sunset on a single day. With each completed task, that already small list shrinks, and as you near the end of your daily to-dos your confidence in your ability to maintain this level of output over the long haul will grow.

But how does this help me find employment in the music industry?

Good question. Employers at every level are going to expect you to tackle multiple projects at once, and each of those projects will have their target completion date. If you tell yourself you can do it all at once you’re only going to end up frustrated and exhausted, but if you break down your longterm goals into manageable daily chores your ability to progress on each item from day-to-day will flourish. Your brain will stop worrying about the overall deadline and start concerning itself more with tasks at hand, which in turn will relax your mind enough so that you are able to think clearly and creatively amidst the chaos of this business.

I’m not going to lie to you: Finding steady employment of any kind in music today is next to impossible, especially if you’re just starting out. The competition for any job, big or small, is fiercer now than at any other point in the history of the entertainment business. This frustrates job seekers and complicates the selection process for most business owner, but at the end of the day it’s actually a blessing because it means only the truly talented and hardworking individuals end up working full-time. The people who find themselves in a position to influence real change not only know how to make change happen, but they possess the organizational skills needed to make the most of the opportunity they have been given.

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