Review: Mac Miller's The Divine Feminine

By Cooper Short 

The Divine Feminine by Mac Miller 

Newly released album The Divine Feminine from Hip Hop artist, Mac Miller, is a breath of fresh air compared to the recent releases in the Hip Hop/Rap community. In the wake of the “under-water rap” wave that has been trending lately, Mac’s album still stands out in the pack. The album shows true talent, coming from an individual who has lived a bumpy life, comfortably since his career took flight.

The Divine Feminine gives fans a taste of the new clear-minded Mac. Mac Miller for years has struggled with substance abuse, much of which was open to the public, but most behind closed doors. His previous albums following Blue Slide Park reflect this, with his heavy references to drug use and states of mind that correspond with substance abuse. In recent interviews, Mac Miller has opened up about his past addictions and explains that he has come to grips with his demons and is facing them head on.

The new album features the same old raw and relatable lyrics that Mac is known for and what makes him one of the last remaining true Hip Hop artists out there. The album’s title defines the story of the album, including messages about women and his love life (probably hinting towards his newly announced relationship with pop icon, Ariana Grande). Mac shares his raw thoughts about love, beauty, and his desires through his lyrics without sounding harsh or demeaning, compared to other rappers that sexualize women in their music and rap in very misogynistic tones.

With a clear mind, Mac also shows off his pure musical talent. Beginning on his Macadelic Tour (which I had pleasure of catching one of the shows), Mac began to incorporate live music and instruments. He himself would play guitar, piano, and would occasionally sing. The album features musical icons like CeeLo Green, Bilal, Ariana Grande, and Kendrick Lamar, all of which add more to the value of this album. Mac, more and more, has been showing off his musical ability in his albums and in The Devine Feminine, his melodic genius has only been revealed to be stronger than ever.

Overall, the album should be a success, like all other albums Mac has put out. His following is still as strong as ever and his fans are passionate. You can bet this album will be loved by many and remembered as one of his best. I’ll for sure be listening to it non stop for the next month.

Meet the Team: Maggie Adams

We're so excited to welcome Maggie Adams to the Olivia Management team. With her passion, intelligence, and experience, we are glad to put her to work around here. Get to know her a little bit below.

Photo by Jessica Steddom

1. How did you end up in Nashville? 

In 2012, I chose to come to Nashville to study music at Belmont University over going to a certain SEC school an hour outside of my hometown of ATL. It was a scary move, not knowing anyone in Nashville, but I'm glad I ended up here because otherwise I might be a completely different person than I am today! I graduated from Belmont in December of 2015, with a Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment Industry Studies and a minor in voice.

2. What has been your music industry experience so far? 

I'm grateful that I've gotten to learn from some pretty cool companies here in Nashville. My first music-related internship was with War Memorial Auditorium in their marketing department. I believe that the best part of working in this industry comes from the magic of live performances, so working at a venue that was able to give people those experiences shaped my direction. I went on to intern with Lightning 100 for six months, and did anything and everything they asked of me because I love their mission of promoting local music. Most recently, I worked at the Entrepreneur Center as a Team Lead for the Project Music accelerator, which provided me the opportunity to learn more about the essentials to building a sustainable business in the music industry.

3. Why do you want to work in music?

My strengths could allow me to take several directions other than music in my life (don't worry, none of them are super practical money-making directions!!!), and although the music industry is probably the most difficult and uncertain path, I don't think I would feel as fulfilled anywhere else. I love that no matter who you are or where you are, music can serve as a connection point. Being a part of an industry that gives people an outlet to express themselves is truly gratifying.

4. What are you most proud of that you've accomplished? 

Recently, I've been working on organizing a show benefitting the Alzheimer's Association. I got the opportunity to do this through my good friend Kate Kelly who works at a psychiatric hospital here in town, and although I'd never booked a show before, I jumped in full force...without knowing what I'd be getting myself into! I've learned a lot through this process, and have been able to collaborate with Mike Grimes on the lineup and theme of the night. If you have any interest in seeing the fruits of my labor and contributing to an important cause, come to the Basement East tomorrow night at 8pm for the Glen Campbell Tribute for the Alzheimer's Association!

5. What music are you into right now? Last 3 things you discovered that you like.

Robert Glasper Experiment - ("Calls" has been stuck in my head for 2 straight weeks)
Black Honey - (check out their most recent single "Hello Today")
Margaret Glaspy - discovered her a few months ago, but I've been listening to her non-stop lately

6. Why did you want to work at Olivia Management? 

So many reasons. 1) I'd heard that Erin and I would get along really well, and I was drawn to her reputation of being an amazing role model and general badass (RE: girl power). 2) If my soul could be categorized as a musical genre I think it'd be Americana, and Olivia Management has some of THE most incredible Americana/indie acts on our roster that I am lucky to assist Erin in managing. 3) I wanted to be part of a smaller sized company where I knew I could actually make a difference and help lighten someone's workload. 

7. What's your favorite place in Nashville? 

Wow, this is a tough one! My gut reaction is Greenhouse Bar because the whole green house aesthetic is very calming and creates the perfect atmosphere to have relaxed hangs with your nearest and dearest.

Apple Airpods

Apple AirPods: A New Way to Listen to Music
By: Cooper Short

    If you are a living, breathing human being that has any access to a television or a computer with Internet, then you have heard about Apple’s latest product reveal from the recent Apple Keynote event. This year it was not the new and improved (but somehow underwhelming as always) iPhone that was in the spotlight. It was surprisingly a new line of wireless earphones called, AirPods. The AirPods dominated the event and social media exploded with reactions to the new product. Pros and Cons flooded the Internet and news outlets leaning towards mostly negative comments and passive aggressive memes being posted on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

    As an avid consumer and listener of music, learning about the AirPods gave me mixed emotions, but most of them contrary to the majority reaction. Unlike most people that I know, I am truly excited to own and use the wireless headphones for several reasons: Their aesthetic, reliability, and most of all comfortability. Apple is known for making seamless and aesthetically pleasing designs, and it is no different with the AirPods. They have the classic look that consumers have grown to know and love. The Apple headphones I have owned over the years have always been reliable and offer a great quality of sound. Apple’s headphones have also always been the most comfortable for my personal preference. I have tried many headphones, but many of them either put stress on my ear or fall out with small movements. Also with the headphones being wireless, no longer will the wires become tangled, tied, or just plain get in the way.

    All in all, the headphones are pretty cool. I personally will try my best to own a pair and will use them regularly. The headphones have features that surpass other wireless headphones out on the market right now making them more desirable and efficient. Despite being priced at a whopping $159 per pair and the negative flak this product has received, consumers will be waiting in lines that stretch for blocks to buy the new line of Apple products. You’ll definitely see me in one of those lines.

My First Few Weeks at Olivia Management

By: Megan Jones

As a new intern at Olivia Management, I had no idea what was in store for me during my time here. The first week I started my internship, OM welcomed a new artist to their roster—the phenomenal folk/americana singer songwriter Amanda Shires! What an exciting week! By the following week we were already promoting Amanda’s tour which started not long after her arrival on our team (it’s still happening, so go see her live!). AND she’s launching a new album—even more exciting!

Although the 4 of us, CEO Erin Anderson, day-to-day manager Meghan Conwell, fellow intern Cooper Short, and myself, are working closely in 1 cozy office, I’m learning new things everyday. Just by simply listening to and observing what’s happening all around me in this tiny but charming room, I've been able to gather more knowledge and insight into this exciting and energetic industry. New music is surrounding me and it’s safe to say that I love this world that is THE music business. 

Below is a sneak peak of Amanda Shires’ new album, My Piece of Land, which was released TODAY, September 16th!

Tiny Desk Concert

The Secret Sisters' Tiny Desk Concert on NPR Music Debuted today. Click below to watch the beautiful video, featuring two songs from their upcoming record! 

Fall Interns Are Here!

It's that time of year again, school is starting and a new round of interns at Olivia Management have started! This fall we have two Belmont students to help us through this very busy fall season. 

Meet Megan! Hailing from Iowa, Megan is a junior Music Business Major. Find out more below.

What do you want to get out of this internship?

Knowledge! I want to be more educated about the music industry and this specific sect.

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

I clearly love music. The majority of my time is spent listening to it and discovering new artists. Although I love performing as a musician (bass guitar, piano, percussion, etc), I prefer admiring the music of others and their journey the most. Besides music, I like visual art (especially photography and tattoos), spending time outside (when it’s not so burning hot outside), going to shows, working at the Johnny Cash Museum (it’s so enjoyable that I don’t consider it work), helping out with Sofar Sounds, spending quality time with my friends, and being lazy (usually Netflix in bed with some tea or coffee).

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

The soup from Demos’. AMAZING!

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment...tell us anything you love about music!

I love singer/songwriter, folk, indie, alternative, and blues. I’m obsessed with Parker Millsap, Gabe Dixon, and Tall Heights. Other favorites include: Shakey Graves, Good Old War, Andy Shauf, Lake Street Dive, Noble Kids, Tallest Man on Earth, etc. I love anything with a solid acoustic guitar, strings, and harmonies!

Why did you choose to intern here?

 I chose to pursue this internship because Erin is awesome and I feel like I can learn a lot here! This internship is in the sect of the music industry that I might want to pursue in the future.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

There’s no shortage of talent here, I love that! I’m always meeting new, unique people and discovering new, unique acts!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Good question! I’m still trying to figure that out. Interning, gaining more experience, and learning as much as possible about this industry should hopefully help me out with that! I hope I’ll have a clear idea when I graduate.

Meet Cooper, from Los Angeles California. He is also a Junior Music Business Major at Belmont. Read a little more below! 
 

How social media literate are you? Are you comfortable posting from social media on behalf of artists?

I’m – for the most part – very social-media literate. I have used platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat for years and consider myself knowledgeable in those different platforms (not necessarily and expert). I just recently started using Twitter and therefore need some improvement for that platform, but will get the hang of it.

What do you want to get out of this internship?

I hope to learn as much as possible about the music industry through the lens of an Artist Manager. I have interned before at a management firm, where although I learned a lot, I felt very neglected as an intern. The assistant to one of the managers was the only person who really taught me anything and took the time out of his day to ask about my experience there and to answer any questions I had. I hope that my experiences at Olivia make me more and more excited about pursuing a career in the industry – an industry I was told not to be in, by the owner of the last company I interned for.

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

I’m a huge game nerd. I play video games often. I follow a lot of entrepreneurs in the gaming industry that have created organizations and manage professional players in these E-Sports.

Along with being a gamer, I’m also an avid music-listener. I love listening to music no matter the occasion. I love attending festivals and concerts.

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

In N Out, plain and simple. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and it is the quintessential food of Southern California.

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment...tell us anything you love about music and why did you choose to intern here

Some of my favorite artists include (but aren’t limited to) Allen Stone, Incubus, Esperanza Spalding, and Sting. I’m a fan of most genres and find myself very attached the Electronic Dance Music, having grown up in a city that really popularizes that genre. I love music because no matter what happens in this world, whether it be war or even just the changing of the music industry (or “death” of it), music will always exist and is the glue that keeps mankind connected with each other. It is the ultimate, ubiquitous thing that all humans can share a love for and connect with. I chose to intern at Olivia because of my respect and admiration for Erin Anderson’s work. I learned so much from her in the one semester of class she taught that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to learn more from her – especially to learn more about an industry I love and a profession I plan to pursue.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

My favorite thing about Nashville is the amount of love this city still has for music. No matter what, you can always find someone playing live music around town, or someone recording in a studio or at home. Music is truly the most important thing to most people in this city and it is to me as well. The talent that this city also has is phenomenal and is nothing compared to Los Angeles.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a Talent Manager/Entrepreneur. I hope to manage artists, musicians, athletes, and other talents. I want to help them achieve their goals and pursue their dreams as I pursue my own. I hope to also one day create and invest in businesses.

Red Rocks

The Secret Sisters played Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado over the weekend. I flew out for it, and I'm so glad I was there to witness the beauty of the rocks as a backdrop for one of the best live show's I've ever seen. 

The Secret Sisters opened for Brandi Carlile and Old Crow Medicine show, and the energy was off the charts all night. Let's go back ASAP! 

What I've Learned as a Summer Intern

By: Intern Olivia 

I've been an intern at Olivia Management for about 2 months now and my time here is sadly coming to an end. I couldn't have asked for a more educational, enlightening and entertaining experience. Here are some of the top things I've learned:

How to be a Business Woman

Listening to our CEO Erin Anderson handle business phone calls and meetings has been immensely helpful to me. Just by observing her handle deals for Olivia Management's artists and smoothing over conflicts I now know what it takes to be a true professional. 

The Importance of a Hard Working Artist

Work ethic is important in any business, but it seems to me that it is especially important in the music industry. As a musician I was interested in seeing the management perspective on things. Erin does everything in her power to create opportunities and connections for our artists but that's not all it takes. Talent is of course a big factor, but without a solid work ethic and passion for a career in music you're not going anywhere. 

Connections Connections Connections

The biggest thing I've learned at Olivia Management is to treat everyone with respect no matter their status. You never know how they could potentially help you in the long run. This doesn't mean to use people, it just means that connections and strong relationships are important in the music business in order to further a career in the industry; both as a musician and a manager.

I am now dead set on working in the music business because I've had such a positive experience in Nashville and at Olivia Management. It's been a great summer with Erin and our assistant manager Meghan and I'm so happy that I chose this particular management company to intern because in my opinion they're the best of the best.

Cale Tyson

By: Intern Olivia Wathne

Cale Tyson is an artist we love that plays regularly in Nashville, in fact he just had a show at American Legion Post 82 this past Tuesday. Cale is a must-see and is a throwback to the likes of Hank Williams. Hailing from Fort Worth, TX his sound is straight up soulful-outlaw country and you can't help but sway to every tune. 

A hard working musician, Cale sings straight from the heart and you can hear the emotion in each of his songs. My favorite is "Honky Tonk Moan" off his first EP High on Lonesome, but you can hear the heartache and soul in all of his songs. 

"His sweet, yet melancholy lyrics feel like they were probably written on a whiskey-stained bar napkin, just the way good country songs should be." - Wide Open Country

Cale is currently touring and will be in Nashville at The Station Inn on August 24th and at The Basement on August 26th. Make sure to listen to his latest EP Cheater's Wine and come to his shows in Nashville! We know you'll love him as much as we do. 

Charlie Oxford

By: Intern Olivia Wathne

Charlie is one of Olivia Management's consulting clients and we're proud to say so. Our CEO Erin Anderson raves about him on a daily basis and we listen to him regularly in the office. 

He just recently came out with his EP titled Reflections that has elements of blues, soul and pop. All four songs are extremely catchy and I've had his song "Call Me" stuck in my head all week. I also got the chance to see him at Musician's Corner at Centennial Park the other week and he was phenomenal. 

The Huffington Post featured the song "Call Me" in an article where Charlie explains a little about this song...

 “It’s a song about support, and being there for a friend in a time of need. It came about because a really long time friend of mine from my childhood had been battling a lot of inner demons. It all started boiling up and myself along with a few other friends started noticing him lying about these massive personal accolades that were obviously not happening in his life. Needless to say he needed a friend to be there for him.”

Charlie writes or co-writes his songs as well as being an awesome, smooth guitarist. A lot of his music and lyrics come from personal experiences. He isn't doing any more shows this summer but his Reflections EP is something worth checking out, a fun pop blend perfect for the summertime!

Olivia Management is invested in its consulting clients and we strongly believe in Charlie Oxford's talent. Click here to listen to the Reflections EP!

The Secret Sisters

By: Intern Olivia Wathne

The Secret Sisters just recently finished their string of June shows in Louisville, KY at Zanzabar bar/venue. Erin Anderson, the CEO of Olivia Management, and I drove to Louisville this past Sunday and witnessed an electric show. It was a classic southern night and the air was heavy with humidity but The Secret Sisters and John Paul White trumped the heat with soulful performances and a night I won't forget. 

Last Sunday was the first time I saw The Secret Sister's perform live and I was blown away, just like everybody else at Zanzabar. Their harmonies were heart-wrenching and classic; their songs have a way of bringing you back to the good ol' days. The same goes for John Paul White, who's songwriting is out of this world. 

After the show, people lined up to talk with The Secret Sisters and express their appreciation for the music. Some fans talked about their connections with The Secret Sister's, one fan compared their sound to The Everly Brothers, which Lydia and Laura took as a high compliment. The Secret Sister's fan base is inspiring and sincere and it goes to show the immense talent and magical performances of TSS. 

TSS is currently at Bear Creek Studios in Seattle, WA working on their next record and we can't wait to hear it

Their July shows begin in Oxford, MS at Proud Larry's and continue through August. Go to their website http://www.secretsistersband.com/tour/ for more tour details!

TEDxNashville

By: Erin O. Anderson

TED Talks have long been a favorite of mine, so when I was asked in 2014 to join the TEDxNashville Speakers Committee, I jumped at the chance to be involved in such a great organization. I quickly got involved in helping the team book musicians to play in between speakers, and working with entertainers to craft talks about their areas of expertise. 

This year, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Lecrae. Over the course of 4 months, I walked with Lecrae through the process of refining his message, assembling his talk, and distilling his years of experience into 18 minutes or less. I am so proud of the final talk, and I am so thankful to get to work with talented musicians from all fields. 

Watch Lecrae's TED Talk below. 

After 3 years on the Speakers Committee, I was recently given my own committee to focus on music and entertainment during TEDxNashville. I'm so excited to find artists with stories to tell and continue to help them do so on the TEDxNashville stage. 

Top Tunes We're Listening To This Summer

By: Intern Olivia Wathne

Our cozy office is located above Grimey's & The Basement while our neighbors down the hall, WXNA, are a freeform community radio station. This makes our space a music lover's heaven. All of us here have high appreciation for Americana and Indie/Folk music but that's not all we jam out to in the office. Here is what we've been listening to this week:

Yada Yada

Olivia Management's assistant manager Meghan Conwell went to high school with the drummer of Yada Yada and she introduced us to this wonderful album just the other week. We have been listening ever since, especially to their song "Fossa", which has both an electric and mellow sound that we can't get enough of.  

The Staves

This British band, made up of three sisters, harmonizes sweetly in some songs and then sings guttural and heart-wrenching lyrics in others. Their music is raw and empowering. The Staves are currently on tour and will be in Nashville tonight, June 24, at the High Watt. Listen to this gem, "Teeth White", its great. 

The Secret Sisters

Of course we love our own artists. This week a lot of our duties have been focused on The Secret Sisters because they are currently on tour! At Olivia Management we believe that a main factor in successful artist management is a love and respect for our artist's music. The Secret Sisters' song, "Let There Be Lonely" from their album Put Your Needle Down is one of our favorites. This song really highlights the beauty and compatibility of Lydia and Laura's voices 

This is only a peak into our playlists at the office, which during the 2pm afternoon slumps usually include something from Beyonce's "Lemonade" and Chance the Rapper's "Coloring Book". Check out these incredible musicians, especially The Secret Sisters!

I'll be writing a new blog entry every Friday so keep an eye out for our weekly post!

Our CEO is a finalist for a NELA Award!

Erin Anderson, CEO and founder of Olivia Management has been named a finalist in the 2016 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. This award "recognizes professionals under the age of 40 for accomplishments in their field and community contributions." 

    As someone who has been a student, intern and now assistant to Erin Anderson, I am so happy that she is getting recognized for all of the amazing work she does. When I was a student in her Entrepreneurship class, it was obvious from Day One that she cared about teaching the student in a hands-on way. Erin used her own connections to bring in entrepreneurs in the Nashville area and have them talk to us about their business, their successes, their failures and how they got to where they are now. This, not only, inspired many of her students but gave them a chance to network in the Nashville community.

    As an intern for Olivia Management, it was clear I was not going to be grabbing coffee for her and picking up her laundry. Ms. Anderson has a strong desire to help interns understand the parts of an artist management company, and the music industry as a whole. She sits down with interns, not just to help them fill out their required forms for Internship credit, but to make sure they are getting something out of the internship; to make sure they leave her company with more knowledge than when they started.She encourages interns to brainstorm new ideas for an artists and go out to shows looking for new talent. 

    As her assistant, I get to see the incredible amount of work and planning that Erin does every single day. She has a savvy business mind and works tirelessly to achieve her goals. She has a clear vision for her company and continually makes sure I am learning and pushes me to become a stronger businesswoman everyday. Erin enjoys teaching because she enjoys helping young professionals find their passion and their path. Erin has helped at the Tennessee Prison for Women here in Nashville to encourage inmates to start their own business after prison. Erin takes so much time to invest in helping people find their happiness. 

    With Erin's experience in the music industry plus her strong entrepreneurial spirit, she has created an amazing company and fostered many young professionals along the way. As a twenty-three year old who has been out of college for just over a year, Erin Anderson has been an inspiration to me as well as a mentor, and deserves this wonderful recognition as an integral part of the Nashville community. 

 

Our favorite Nashville venues and more!

By: Intern Olivia Wathne

Not only is Erin Anderson a strong and determined woman, she's a great teacher. The same goes for the day to day manager here, Meghan Conwell. As an intern, I was nervous that I would only be running errands and grabbing coffee all day, but the opposite is true here at Olivia Management. 

One of my duties as an intern is to check out some upcoming Americana, Country, and Indie musicians in Nashville. Some of the top places to find undiscovered and talented musicians are at 12th & Porter, 3rd and Lindsley, Exit/In, Mercy Lounge and many more that I have yet to find but will let you know about once I do. Some of our artists, The Secret Sisters and Jill Andrews, have performed at these venues.

12th & Porter

This past Sunday 12th & Porter hosted a free concert and I had the pleasure of listening to Rayvon Pettis, Matt Haek, Don Gallardo and Rocky Bottom. All of the artists sang their original songs on their guitars (Rocky Bottom incorporated a harmonica and a bass drum which was very great). 

All of the venues mentioned above are awesome places to go find some hidden gem musicians and listen to high quality music at a cheaper price. Olivia Management knows the importance of smaller venues and we love supporting up and coming artists; we're actually on the look out for a new artist to manage!

My point is that Olivia Management sincerely cares about its artists. Our love of music and Nashville is what motivates us to provide our artists with the best management possible and create friendships that will last a life time. I can't wait to see who we discover next. 

Meet The Team: 2016 Summer Intern

It's summertime in Nashville. School's out, CMAFest and Bonnaroo are over and Olivia Management has a new intern. Olivia hails from Idaho but goes to school in Colorado where she studies Communications and has a huge passion for music. We couldn't be more excited for her to join the team. Read our interview with her below: 
 

OM: Tell us a little bit about your favorite music, artists or genres.
Olivia: The Head and the Heart, but now I'm upset with them because they aren't coming out with their album till September even though they just came out with their single, which sounds way too electronic for their usual style. Love the Rolling Stones, they make me the happiest and they are my pump up music. Crosby, Stills and Nash are the bomb. Leon Bridges has the best feel good music.

OM: Why did you want to come to Nashville?
Olivia: I chose to come to Nashville because I'm from the middle of nowhere Idaho where there is no music community/industry. I'm a singer/songwriter and I wanted to come to Music City to learn from the experts. Also, I've always had a weird obsession with the South since I turned 13. It's really romantic down here. I'm looking forward to just being more knowledgeable about music industry lingo and also witnessing behind the scenes happenings in Nashville.

OM: Why Olivia Management?
Olivia: I decided to intern here because it is a small company and I knew I would get a lot of hands on work and have a ton of fun being involved with music and being behind the scenes. 

OM: What do I want to get out of this internship?
Olivia: I want to learn a lot about how things work behind the scenes and what goes into making an artist successful as well as an artist management company successful. Basically I want to know if I want to work in the music business. 

OM: What do you love to do?
Olivia: I love to write music and perform for people, that's where I feel most natural. I am obsessed with rock n roll memoirs, Life by Keith Richards literally made my life for like  a week and a half and I still talk about it. Love love love The Head and the Heart, they are the soundtrack to my life. Perfect day would be boating on a lake, eat really good smoked salmon and rhubarb pie and then go to a concert and get drunk my my parents. I also run a lot, but only for mind enlightenment. 

OM: What would I eat for the rest of my life?
Olivia: My mom's eggplant parm with red wine and any kind of cheesecake with a really thick crust.

OM: What's your favorite part about Nashville?
Olivia: Well I've only been here for a week but so far it is definitely the food.

OM: What do I want to be when I grow up?
Olivia: A happy person who listens to good music a lot and works with it somehow, someway. Also, I'm going to be my own boss. 

Four Years

Today, Olivia Management has existed for four years. We started on a Monday with a laptop and a cup of coffee and we've grown to 5 artists, 10 consulting clients, 3 interns, one day to day manager, and one huge* office space. 

To celebrate, I'd like to share my four favorite moments from the first four years of Olivia Management (in no particular order, of course). 

1) Sitting in on The Secret Sisters' recording sessions at Bear Creek with Brandi Carlile and the Hanseroth Twins in the winter of 2016. It was a beautiful place, the music was heavenly, and it reminded me why I love what I do. I can't wait for the world to hear this record. 

2) Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes at Live on the Green 2014. One of the hardest working bands in Nashville, or the world for that matter, it was very fun to be working with the band, pushing their single to radio, seeing the reception they were getting, and then stand in the crowd during their hometown festival. 

3) Jill Andrews live at Paste Magazine during CMJ 2015.  CMJ was a few weeks after Jill's most recent record released, so I spent the week in New York City with her, running around to do press and play shows. In the middle of the chaos, she was invited in to the beautiful archives at Paste Magazine, we were given drinks and a calm place to hang, and what transpired next felt like magic. Watch the session by clicking on the photo below. 

4) The time that a couple got engaged at a Micah Dalton concert. It was springtime, Micah was playing smooth love songs outside, and a man approached me to ask if he could propose to his girlfriend during the set. They didn't have a photographer, I don't think it was planned. He was just moved by the music and felt like the moment was right. I think this picture I took on my phone is the only photo they have of the moment. Long live Micah Dalton love songs. 

Here's to many more years, many more memories, and more great music! Thank you! 

*when you've spent a lot of time renting a desk in the corner of other people's offices, a whole 200 square foot room feels really big. 

Meet The Team: 2016 Spring Interns

It's spring break and we are missing these folks around the office. We are so thankful for interns that work hard to keep this ship moving forward.

Get to know our spring 2016 interns, Amanda and Joe below!

                                                  AMANDA CHAMBERLAIN, SENIOR

1.) Tell us what brought you to Nashville

I came to Nashville in 2012 to go to Belmont University for their Music Business program (shocking, right?). I applied to 14 schools total, but when I visited Nashville I was sold. The city had a vibe I had never experienced before and I was drawn to it. The amount of small business, music, and nature in one city is amazing. In addition, I was attracted to all of the opportunities and resources that Belmont provides to its students. 

2.) What are your plans for after graduation?

Ha, that's the question of my year. At this point I am just excited to start a new chapter of my life. I hope to get a job that pushes me to keep learning and challenging myself, but that is also in an environment that surrounds me with people who inspire me. 

3.) What has been a memorable Nashville moment you have had?

I work for Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams on their events team with one of my roommates. Earlier this year we worked the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin. Our manager let us take our break at the same time to go watch Weezer and about five minutes into their set, it started pouring rain. If anything, it just fueled the crowd and we got soaking wet, dancing and singing along to some of the songs that made us fall in love with music. 

4.) Why were you interested in Olivia Management? What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?

I originally heard about Olivia Management through two friends who had had Erin as a professor at Belmont University. At the time I was in an Artist Management course and e-mailed Erin to see if I could interview her for a class assignment. Erin's obvious passion and excitement for what she does was what made me want to intern at Olivia Management. Even though I have only been here for two months, I could not have asked for a better internship to end my college career. My favorite part thus far (aside from the great office atmosphere) is Erin's determination to make sure that I am actually learning as an intern. Every other week we sit down and we discuss what I am learning, what I want to learn, and what I can do better. The amount of value in that 20 minute meeting is immense.

5.) What artists are you listening to right now?

Even though both albums came out last year, I can't get enough of Adele's 25 or Halsey's Badlands. Other than that, I've been listening to a lot of Cat Powers and Borns.

                                                          JOE FALLABEL, SENIOR

1.) Tell us what brought you to Nashville

As my senior year in high school was coming to an end, I was still unsure exactly what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. I wanted to leave the Pittsburgh area and experience a new city, but I wasn't sure what would be a good fit. I did one year of community college and was checking out schools for music. Belmont caught my attention because the music business degree was unique, and you get a BBA while studying the music industry. I also thought Nashville was a cool city because it is so focused on music and I felt that there was good opportunities here. 
 

2.) What are your plans for after graduation?

One of my big interests in the music industry is live music. I would love to go on a tour and play any part of the touring role that I could. Eventually, I think successfully being my own boss would be my ultimate goal. 

3.) What has been a memorable Nashville moment you have had?

A recent memorable moment for me as a guitar player was playing my first show here in Nashville. I have been jamming with this band called Huey, and we play high energy soulful funk music. We had a lot of fun at our first show, and the crowd seemed really into it and impressed with our performance. We plan on playing shows in the near future so keep an eye out for that!  

4.) Why were you interested in Olivia Management? What has been your favorite part of the internship so far?

My interest in Olivia Management started when I was in the classroom with Erin. I knew that Erin knew how to succeed in the music industry, and has a great network that she works with day to day. I wanted a solid internship experience that I could be proud of, and one that would be beneficial to my education and future after graduating. I knew Erin could deliver.

5.) What artists are you listening to right now? 

Right now I am super busy and barely listening to music. Between being a full time student, having a part time job, an internship, and playing in a band, I haven't really spent much time listening to music. I have recently gone to a show that was really great, and the band I went for was called Pallbearer. They have a similar sound to black sabbath, but in a more monolithic sense. I have also really been digging the songs that the songwriter for my band Huey has been writing. Hopefully we can get more material out there and more shows play so we can bring the funk to Nashville. Another interesting genre of emerging music I have been getting into is called synth-wave. It is a genre that has a retro 80's synth-pop feel to it, but in a more experimental way thats mostly instrumental. One artist that I have been listening to is called Perturbator check it out! And lastly I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a new Tool release!  

Olivia Management Consulting

Did you know we offer consulting services?

A few years ago, I was tired of having to say no to talented people just because my plate was too full. I decided that if I really enjoyed the music, I wanted to find a way to help the artist. And thus, Olivia Management Consulting Services were born. If you or your band needs help planning for a release or coming up with strategies to engage fans and grow- let me know! 

Check out just some of our amazing consulting clients: 

Brittany McLamb: this powerhouse vocalist has been working with us to release new music. Check out her beautiful single and video for "Dollhouse."

Charlie Oxford: this guy is a pop melody genius with some serious guitar chops. He's releasing a new EP soon and hitting the road, so look out for Charlie! 

Jennell: This beautiful pop-folk singer makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside when she sings about home. 

Stay tuned...more to come! 

Meet The Team: Meghan Conwell

As Olivia Management grows, I have been looking for the perfect person to join our small team. It's so important to us to maintain a family vibe of folks that are passionate about music and passionate about helping artists to grow. 

Two years ago, I met Meghan. She was a student in my Entrepreneurship class at Belmont University. She went on to intern for me, tour manage one of our artists, and now we are so happy she's one of our first employees.  

Erin: What brought you to Nashville? 
Meghan: School brought me. I knew in high school I wanted to be an "artist manager" but obviously at 17 I had no idea what that really meant. I ended up going to University of Delaware as an undecided major--but knowing they had a "music management" degree. After talking to the music department and business department I realized it wasn't the major I was looking for (you had to audition and perform which I was NOT good at), so one day in the middle of my sophomore year I googled "music business schools." Belmont came up, I applied, visited, and the next semester I moved to Nashville. 

Erin: What is your experience in the music business so far?
Meghan: I've done a mixture of things thus far in the biz. My first internship was with a small company back home in Pittsburgh called Opus One Productions, which is mostly a concert promotion company, but they also manage a couple bands. I ended up doing a bit of Street Team for them, marketing, ticketing, and a production runner for shows. So I would set up dressing rooms, fulfill the rider, get food for the band, drive crew/band members around. Grunt work, but a lot of fun. Then I interned with Olivia Management my senior year of college and obviously, it is an artist management company. There I worked more directly with social media and the artists. Researching ways to connect with fans and how to keep up an artist's presence and engagement in this era of over saturation. Then I was a tour manager for an artist Jill Andrews (with Olivia Management). We were on the road for a month for a house show tour and went all over the Southeast, recorded a music video, and recorded a session at Daytrotter during that time. Now I am an assistant and Day-to-Day manager at Olivia Management, making sure the details are accounted for that lets our CEO look toward the big picture. 

Erin: What do you do for fun? 
Meghan: Funnnnn. Ummmmm. Well I've recently gotten back into hiking (after visiting the Appalachian Trail during the house show tour with Jill), so I hike when I can. I love going to the movies, I usually go alone, I miss going to the theaters (can't wait for Belcourt to open up again!). Food I LOVE food. So does that count for fun? Going hand-in-hand with my career, going to see live shows is always something fun, and also inspiring. I love seeing artists perform live and how the musician and audience interacts. Also, Netflix and daydreaming about moving to Ireland and Scotland is a daily activity. 

Erin: What is your ultimate career goal? 
Meghan:  This is a hard question for me because I'm 23 and a year out of college and so much has changed. As cliche as it sounds, I just want to have a job where I don't look forward to the weekend, or don't dread a Monday. One reason I decided to go into music is because I knew a "9-5" cubicle job wouldn't suit me. I want to continue to be inspired by music and musicians, so continuing to help artists reach their goals and become successful would make me happy. I think goals are really important, but I am also someone who knows that setting too narrow of a path closes the door to many other opportunities that can fall in your lap. Basically, I want to work in music forever, and enjoy the music and people I work with.

Erin: What's your favorite part of working at Olivia Management? 
Meghan: I think it's something I mentioned above, not dreading a Monday (did I steal that from you?). I like the fact that we work hard but also your personal life doesn't disappear. I like that we can do work for 4 hours straight, then spend a few minutes watching Adele rap Nicki Minaj and clips from Jimmy Fallon. I like that when someone makes a mistake, we move past it and continue moving forward, knowing that mistakes happen and it is never the end of the world. So I guess that's more like 4 favorite parts of working at Olivia Management, but oh well.

Erin: If someone was going to listen to ONE song from one of the artists we manage, what song would you suggest and why? 
Meghan: Jill Andrews I'm Not Okay. When I first started working at Olivia Management I listened to this album and this was the first song that caught my ear. I have this things with songs that when I really connect with one, I get a feeling of my chest caving in (sounds scary but its cool) and I got that with this one. Jill writes incredibly heart wrenching songs (despite her happy demeanor) and they just make you feel all the feels.