Position/Title: Talent Buyer at The Glass House
How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? 25 years in the music business. Started out as a music supervisor, owned a little record label, wrote for magazines, ended up as a talent buyer for venues and a dozen music festivals across the United States and the Dominican Republic.
What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? The guarantees. Used to be bands toured just to sell records, now the band's main source of income is the tour itself. As a result, guarantees have gone up and so have the ticket prices.
What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The rise of hip hop in the US – the guitar-driven bands are taking a beating. When will the pendulum change?
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Work on your songs first and foremost. Get them right. Then play your shows, release music independently, and build your fanbase organically.
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What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? How to build your profile in the US, how to get the attention of talent buyers over here.
Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? My list is too long, but I know I need to see Approachable Members Of Your Local Community, yergurl (I need to ship her with Oliver Tree), Tones & I, Wolfjay, and especially DREGG!
When and where is your panel? 5 Sep, Festivals And Promoters, Crystal Palais, Cloudland, 3pm.
