The first band I signed (really, the folks that motivated me to start this company in the first place) was Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes. Their album, Kid Tiger, was the first record I ever got to be a part of from start to finish. To prepare for recording, Daniel had a bunch of friends over to his basement to listen to and vote on the final songs for the record, just a few weeks before recording started. I remember leaving that party, calling my parents, and telling them that I had made a REALLY good decision to leave Amazon and start managing this band.
Doing Karaoke with the band in Seattle when we decided to work together. Look how pumped I was.
I remember nervously negotiating with Vance Powell to produce the record while simultaneously pinching myself that I was talking to someone who had made so much music that I loved. The band recorded Kid Tiger in Vance’s studio in Berry Hill over the course of a full week and then spent a couple of weeks at Gray Matters studio with Mike Odmark to track overdubs.
I also invited my friend and talented filmmaker, Ashley Peak, to capture and document the whole process. My heart still wells up with pride watching this documentary.
It was because of this album I got to know the wonderful, supportive folks at Lightning 100; I had my first band play Live on the Green; I had my first band play SXSW; we went to CMJ; we visited all of the DSPs; this album started it all.
I distinctly remember getting the email that Paste Magazine was going to premiere one of the songs and thinking, “I am really doing it. I really manage a band that people are taking seriously!” Then for the album release show, we sold out Exit/In and I knew this was the career for me for the long haul.
One of my favorite album covers of all time, shoutout to Beth Mathews.
Backstage at a sold out Exit/In show.
You can listen to the whole album here: Kid Tiger Album
P.S. Our company logo was designed by Daniel’s wife Beth Mathews. I owe a lot to that couple!