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Keep up with the latest news from our artists as well as industry insights and more.
We are so excited the day is finally here! We can officially tell the world, the new record from The Secret Sisters will come out June 9th! The wonderful folks at NPR premiered the video for the first song "Tennessee River Runs Low" today, which you can view below in all it's glory.
By Delaney Willson
"Beethoven Deaf' by Artigas - http://artigas.deviantart.com/art/Beethoven-Deaf-152169442
Two days ago I sprained my right wrist. Any one who's done the same knows it's mostly just a nuisance; lifting textbooks, writing papers, and tying shoes just takes a little more grit. All in all, not a big deal. Until I picked up my guitar.
Immediately I knew that I wouldn't be able to play the way I wanted, and having never faced any obstacles to playing since I started, I didn't realize how debilitating that would feel. After a few minutes of self-pity though, I got to thinking "what if it was like this for the rest of my life?" Like any good college student, my curiosity turned into research and before long I had a running list of musicians that had overcome incredible odds to become virtuosos, rock stars, and story-tellers.
The best part about inspiration is that it often strikes when you didn't know you were looking for it. If you're ever feeling like you can't overcome an obstacle to your dreams, remind yourself of the legends on this list. I promise it will put a sprained wrist into perspective faster than Kanye can interrupt an awards ceremony. So without further adieu, here are a few of the greatest physical obstacles ever overcome by famous musicians:
Okay, this one wasn't so much a physical ailment but that's why it comes in at #7. Jimi didn't ever have an issue with his hands (have you seen the way they fly across those frets?!), but as any blues lover can tell you, he did have a strange issue with his equipment. His guitar, to be exact. Born a left-hander, Jimi was gifted his first guitar by a friend. Naturally, he modified the guitar by flipping the stings and the corresponding nuts to play lefty. But there's a catch. Jimi's dad, Al Hendrix, thought left-handedness was a sign of the devil. So any time Al was around, Jimi would flip the guitar upside down and play the chords in reverse! Call it crazy, but some people swear this is one of the reasons Jimi was able to shatter all the rules of rock and roll with those sweet, sweet blues licks.
So on the surface, these two are nothing alike, right? Right?! Wrong. Their musical styles may be night and day but they share an important trait from their childhood: they both stuttered. Withers claims that his speech impediment wasn't physical, but rather stemmed from his fear of how those listening would perceive him. Using silly tricks like imagining everyone naked, Withers was able to garner the courage he needed to leave the Armed Services and move to California where he eventually wrote the smash hit "Ain't No Sunshine." 30 years and 3 Grammys later, Withers has walked away again, this time from the music industry - and he couldn't be happier. Sheeran, on the other hand, points to a laser eye surgery where a doctor forgot to apply anesthesia as the source of his childhood stutter. Luckily, it doesn't seem to plague him too much while he's singing, and the red haired dorky kid from the UK is now the world's most recognizable singer-song writer.
A lot of people don't realize it, but Hank Williams was plagued by spinal problems his entire life. His condition, spina bifida, left him unable to even walk normally by 1950. In fact, it got so bad that he underwent corrective surgery at Vanderbilt (hey that sounds familiar) in 1951. After having to cancel several shows, Williams was able to return to a successful career, spinning off hits like "Hey Good Looking" and "Honky Tonk Blues." Eventually however, the pain returned and Williams turned to alcohol and drugs to numb it. The substance abuse ultimately led to his untimely death, but before he died Williams left his fans a hauntingly vivid depiction of his condition with the song "Walk a Mile in My Shoes."
Blind since shortly after his birth, Stevie has got to be one of the most gracious musicians the world has ever seen considering his circumstances. Perhaps it's because of the success he's had since an early age. By the age of 11, Wonder was signed by Motown Records. In classic Barry Gordy fashion, Wonder was offered a five-year contract that withheld his royalties until he turned 21, and was paid $2.50 per week while on tour with his mother. By the age of 12, Wonder had landed his first hit with "Fingertips" which eventually went #1 on Billboard's Top 100, making him the youngest to earn the honor at age 13. Wonder would leave Motown as soon as he could collect his royalties, and went on to write the hits we all love like "Superstition" and "Isn't She Lovely."
Arguably the father of modern pop music, Ray Charles is beloved across generations, whether we millennials realize it or not. Charles's songs have been sampled in hip music since the early 80's but most recently in hits by artists like Kanye West, D.R.A.M., and Wiz Khalifa. Raised in a poor household in South Carolina, Charles lived an incredibly difficult life. Before going blind at the age of 7 as a result of glaucoma, he witnessed the drowning of his little brother. Determined to make something of himself, he learned to read sheet music in Braille. For the pianists out there, I know what you're thinking. He had to learn the left hand parts while reading with his right hand, then learn the right hand parts while reading with his left. After memorizing each note, he'd synthesize the two together and before long he was playing masterful renditions of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. By 1948 Charles was composing with Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillepsie, and by 1951 he was signed to Atlantic Records. The rest is history.
Rick Allen had already had years of success with Def Leppard before a severe car accident in 1984 took him out of commission for two years. The accident left Allen without a left arm entirely and he fell into a state of depression, thinking he'd never play again. With some encouragement from his bandmates and some help from a drum manufacturer, he set out with a team of engineers to design an electronic kit he could play. Replacing some of the arm motions with kick pedals, Allen was able to return to Def Leppard in 1986. The incredible feat earned him the nickname "Thunder God" from adoring fans, and Allen went on to record Hysteria which sold over 20 million copies.
I guess there isn't much surprise here. In an art form that celebrates sound, you just can't beat a deaf composer. Born in 1770, Beethoven had just begun to impress the crowds of Vienna with his musicianship through pieces like his 2nd piano concerto. But in 1796, he started complaining of "buzzing sounds" in his ears and by 1801 he had come to terms with the fact that he was going deaf. Take a look at the timeline of his discography and you'll see how incredible this is. Some of his most famous works that are still performed around the world today were composed when he was almost entirely unable to hear melodies or distinguish pitch. Fur Elise, the 5th Symphony, Ode to Joy...I could go on and on.
by Maggie Adams
The Olivia Management team flew to Austin last week to accompany our very own Secret Sisters as they made their debut at SXSW. If I were to describe the whole week in three words it would be: exhausting yet productive! The girls had a jam-packed schedule with five showcases in total (two of which were official SXSW showcases presented by the Americana Music Association and New West Records) and at least two promo events each day, some of which including short sets for radio. That meant singing up to 2 or 3 times a day! The girls maintained their stamina with incredible Austin eateries, a lot of caffeine and a trusty rental car to carry them through the congested SXSW traffic. Check out the gallery of our trip below!
Check out Minnesota's public radio station The Current at thecurrent.org
The Secret Sisters SXSW debut showcase at The Blackheart.
The girls killed their harmonies at their first official SXSW showcase which took place at Cooper's BBQ in downtown Austin. Thanks Americana Music Association!
In Erin's words, the Lone Star is the fancy PBR of Austin and it's "freely flowing" everywhere at SXSW. Artsy photo cred to Erin Anderson.
Austin's incredible station KUTX 98.9 did a short, but gorgeous session with the girls. Check them out at kutx.org
Another great shot of the official SXSW Americana showcase
This was a really fun show, not only because it was packed, but also because The Broken Spoke has a lot of old western character. There was an amazing lineup that day which included one of The Secret Sisters' new favorites - High Plains Jamboree.
As a newbie to Austin, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering sweet, local cafes like this one. Yes, it's just a picture of a coffee cup, but a quick google search will show you the sunny vibes of this gem.
This beaut is from Willie Nelson's ranch. I was internally fan-girling this whole night. Keyword *internally* because I'm a professional woman and we must keep our giddiness to a minimum when on the job.
If you ever get a chance to go to this, I highly recommend you do! Quite magical.
We were able to visit the Collings Guitar factory and see the beautiful hand-made guitars in various stages of their creation.
We were able to visit the Collings Guitar factory and see the beautiful hand-made guitars in various stages of their creation.
At the girls last show of SXSW, there was a large crowd, and a responsive one at that. A wonderful and energetic close to the week.
Austin is to tacos as Nashville is to hot chicken. These were the best tacos I've ever had, made by a sweet and talented Austin local who hosted us during The Secret Sisters' session with KUTX. He slow cooked the pork for over 24 hours...it was heaven.
Check out what other people said about The Secret Sisters' SXSW debut below!
By Delaney Willson:
Almost three years into my Nashville residency and I still haven't picked up a southern twang. In fact, a week in Mississippi does more to my vernacular than living in this city seems to. Still, just like everyone else, I get the same questions upon returning home to friends. "Do you listen to country music a lot? Do you actually say y'all?" Well, yes. I would have answered yes to both long before leaving the beaches of south Florida. But if the world is so focused in on our ten gallon hats and cowboy boots, I worry they may be missing out on all the other magic that makes this city the wonder that it is.
At its core, Nashville is a city full of people chomping at the bit to make their voices heard. People move here because they have something to say, and Nashville listens. So, of course storytelling lends itself to country music; but it's at the heart of Americana, indie, alternative, R&B, and rap as well. So, when commercial radio starts to wear on your soul, you can rest easy as a Nashvillian knowing that soul is something you can find around just about any corner from Franklin to The Hermitage. Think of this as your Nashville* Soul starter pack:
*artists originally from, newly transplanted, or frequently stopping in Nashville
By Delaney Willson
Musicians across the world are idolized for their talent, their charisma, and their ability to inspire us through song. There's no doubt we value music in our culture more than ever. Still, like a rite-of-passage, there come's a time in almost every artist's life where they are forced to confront the age old question: how am I making a difference in the world? Never one to shy away from adversity, Brandi Carlile tackled that issue head on this year, creating a musical project with impact lasting beyond even her own powerful vibrato. And to our absolute delight, The Secret Sisters were asked to be a part of the magic.
Carlile's upcoming album, Cover Stories, is a collection of cover songs from her 2007 hit album The Story, and is intended to support her nonprofit, The Looking Out Foundation, in it's quest to raise awareness for children around the world affected by conflict and war. 100% of the album's proceeds are being donated to War Child, a nonprofit based out of London dedicated to the same cause. The album comes at a time of uncertainty and unrest in the Middle East, and has attracted the attention of major politicians across the world. Most notably, Barack Obama, volunteered to provide a forward to the album. When asked about his involvement, the former president replied that "as an artist, Brandi Carlile is using her talent on behalf of the most vulnerable among us, children living in areas of conflict. She reminds us that, together, we can build for our children a more just, peaceful world."
Carlile has always been vocal in her support of social causes. Her foundation has led campaigns to combat community violence, deter women from committing crimes leading to prison sentences, and has adamantly supported LGBTQ rights. So when the opportunity to partner with War Child presented itself, the totality with which Carlile committed herself to the cause surprised nobody. Enlisting the help of her musical friends and heroes, she has put together a cohort that looks more like a list of Hall of Fame inductees than the credit listing for a single album. Among the names are legends like Dolly Parton, Pearl Jam, and Kris Kristofferson. Continuing their friendship, our very own girls in The Secret Sisters contributed a hauntingly beautiful version of "Losing Heart."
While the other 13 tracks were recorded in 2016, Adele's rendition of "Hiding My Heart" was originally included as a bonus track on her album 21. According to Carlile, Adele's cover was the original inspiration for the venture. A decade has passed, but Stories still has us on the edge of our seats every time we hear it. This time around, Cover Stories is sure to move your heart as much as it is to move your feet.
Cover Stories is set to be released on May 5, 2017.
For more info visit www.coverstoriesalbum.com
By: Jalena Noakes
Clearly, my mind is already in Spring Break mode since I'm one week away from laying on the beach with some of my closest friends! So close...yet so far.
Since I'll be in the car for about 8 hours straight, I figured I'd create a playlist to help ease that pain. Also, now I can force my friends to listen to this playlist while we all get slightly burnt by the Florida sun. I've included some familiar names, some new songs, and some oldies but goodies. Gotta be well-rounded, ya know? This playlist promotes some pretty chill vibes, I hope you'll take a listen and like what you hear.
By Delaney Willson
Punxsutawney Phil may have told us we were in for a longer winter, but the weather here in Nashville seems to have other plans in mind. With weekend temperatures reaching up into the 70s I'm daydreaming of pontoon boats, pool lounging, and of course, MUSIC FESTIVALS! If you're anything like me, you want to go to all of them. Unfortunately at up to $400 per weekend, most of us are going to have to be a little more frugal. Lucky for you, I took the time to compare what each festival has to offer this summer. Broken down into headliners, supporting acts, and overall experience, this should be a good starting point for deciding which direction to point that rented minivan full of your best friends. My mom always told me life was all about choices; I just didn't know they would be so hard!
You may have noticed some big omissions so far. Bonnaroo, while still a local favorite, has taken a bit of a new direction by adding more EDM than in past years. Still, there are some incredible acts this year, as always, and you might even catch an Olivia Management artist there if you're lucky! Okeechobee Music Festival has done an incredible job thus far, especially considering this is only it's second iteration. Still, until they lock in their own identity, it seems a lot like a Bonnaroo copy with some added Florida rave culture. Governor's Ball deserves an honorable mention for sure, but it typically slides out of my radar as a southerner. Of course, you may be holding out entirely this summer until the Lollapalooza line-up comes out. The same can be said for October's Austin City Limits. Or maybe you prefer scouting out the next big stars at SXSW. I respect that.
If money were no object, it's got to be Coachella. In the end, it comes down to the music, and their lineup just can't be topped. There's probably no where else in the world that you can jam to Queen B and then get lost in Thom Yorke's vocals before heading off to see Kendrick all while wearing a tank top and fanny pack in perfect 80 degree weather. Keep being weird, California. I love it.
As Maggie stated, in the office we have a lot riding on the Grammy's this evening- the losers of our office pool are going to be cooking for the winner. I'd like to think as a woman who's been in the industry for a while, I might have a leg up on predictions. However, I quickly realized as I perused the nominees that I am out of touch with the young people today. (Also- where's FRANK OCEAN.)
Photo: Wild Granny by Sean Wilkin
Here are my top HOPES for the Grammy's tonight:
By Maggie Adams
In case you're wondering why we all decided to comment on the Grammy's this year, it's because 1) we work in this industry and it's important to pay attention to its traditions and 2) we have a bet going in the office that involves home-cooked meals for the winner. Of course, because of the second reason, I have been researching different outlets' predictions for what's to come this year. In doing so, I think I have furthered myself from the tasty winnings I desire so much because in my attempt to gain an answer, I have confused myself with all of the potential outcomes. So, I'm just going to comment on one category. Also, I'm incredibly competitive (ask any one of my friends who has played board games against me), so I don't want the record to show all of my predictions in case I'm wrong. (Note: if you'd like to help me win three, YES THREE, home-cooked dishes and happen to have a history in correctly predicting Grammy winners, please get in touch with me...I will give you a bite of my winnings.)
Album of the Year
Nominees: 25 by Adele, Lemonade by Beyoncé, Purpose by Bieber, Views by Drake and A Sailor's Guide to Earth by Sturgill Simpson
Winner Prediction[Edit:Ramblings]: This is the category where I'm most conflicted because I think there are three scenarios that are the most probable. First, and I think most commonly agreed upon, is the scenario where Adele's 25 wins. According to Nielsen, the album had the greatest sales week of all time, so its universal appeal and commercial success could be reason enough for the Recording Academy to give her the win.
The second scenario is where the controversial, insanely collaborative and, in my opinion, genius Lemonade wins. With subject matter ranging from race to politics to gender struggles, Beyoncé made a piece of art that challenges the status quo and involved many artists who regularly do the same (seriously, there's a lot of collaboration, check the album credits here). However, the Recording Academy doesn't regularly reward obvious political commentary, so I won't hold my breath for beloved Queen Bey.
Third scenario: the upset. Sturgill Simpson was voted into this category, clearly the dark horse. He obviously has some supporters in the voting realm, and we've seen outliers in a category dominated by pop stars upset the predictions before - most recently with Beck's Morning Phase. Like before, the mainstream votes could be split and prove Sturgill the winner. If this is the case, I sure wouldn't be mad; he's definitely deserving of the award - the Nashville Scene can tell you more about why. Although I'd love to see someone so representative of my city win this award, I think the Recording Academy is going to play it safe and vote for Adele. I say that because voting for Beyoncé might imply agreeing with all of her forward-thinking opinions and voting for Sturgill would mean they'd be overlooking the incredible sales of 25.
Who I want to win: Although I really respect Sturgill and his desire to change the current state of the country music regime, I have to go with Beyoncé (as you could probably guess from my carefully chosen stock photo of a girl drinking lemonade). Don't get me wrong, I also love everything about Adele, and getting to see her live last year increased my affection for her. However, if you know me, you know that I'm all about the girl power, not to say Adele doesn't have her own brand of girl power, but Beyoncé's album is a an anthem for women's equality.
If we're thinking about message and growth in the entertainment industry, then Beyoncé should be the winner here. The fact that she created an entire album as well as a visual album, and both can stand as independent works of art is pretty groundbreaking. If you haven't seen the visual portion, I need you to find a way to do that ASAP. She melded sounds of pop, rock, r&b, rap, country and soul all into one album that makes sense, and that huge accomplishment shouldn't go unnoticed. (I would also like to add a quick factoid that Josh Tillman of Father John Misty and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend both wrote pieces of the song "Hold Up" off of this album. FJM is my favorite the fact that he contributed to this great collaboration of artists makes me giddy.) If you haven't taken the time to check out this album, I say to you, "GET IN FORMATION."
By: Jalena Noakes
Image via Billboard.com by Dale Edwin Murray
I had to follow in the footsteps of Delaney and input my Grammy picks! Let it be known that these next few artists would definitely win if I had any say in this matter. Of course, I'm sure that reality will prove that we don't all get what we want, but I'll share my thoughts anyways! A serious congratulations is due to each and every artist/writer/producer/engineer that was nominated for this year's Grammy's, that's an insane feat. :)
Album of the Year: 25- Adele
One week into its release, 25 became the year’s top selling album in the U.S. If you really want to understand how successful this album was, 25 sold 335 copies a minute (in the US alone) within its first week of being on sale. That’s crazy. I hate to admit this, but Adele sold more albums in her first week of 25, than Taylor Swift’s 1989 sold in an entire year. Adele's iconic tone and attention-grabbing lyrics set her above the rest. Adele did something right and deserves recognition for that.
Best New Artist: Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper. Where do I begin? He’s completely taken over the music industry as an independent artist- denying the help from a record label. The fact that he has even been nominated for a Grammy is astonishing. He takes honesty to a whole new level in this album and ties a spiritual element into every one of his songs. He defies hip-hop norms and challenges every other rapper out there to stop following intangible rules. He made music out of conversations with God and people listened.
Song of the Year: Love Yourself- Justin Bieber
To be quite honest, I really started to appreciate Justin Bieber after this release. It was nice to hear a somewhat stripped-down song coming from a heavily produced pop artist. Credit is given to Ed Sheeran who contributed a considerable amount to the lyrical success of this song. Bieber appeared on just about every major news station and radio station across the country to sing this song live, and he did quite an amazing job. “Hello” might possibly win for this category, but I would like to see Bieber take the Grammy for this one.
Best Alternative Album: 22, A Million- Bon Iver
Definitely wasn’t expecting the sound of this album. I’m intrigued to know exactly what is going through Justin Vernon’s mind when he gets a creative idea flowing. The thing I can appreciate about Bon Iver is that there is no formula to the music he creates. In this album, he empowers fears and evokes emotions we are unable to put words to. With this album especially, it is so obvious that his music is straight from the heart and has no limits what so ever. This is by far the most original and creative album nominated for this year’s Grammys.
By Delaney Willson
The 2016 Grammy Awards stage. 2017's rendition will be hosted by comedian James Corden.
It's almost that time of year again. We gather around the TV with a few of our favorite friends and audiophiles to yell at the screen when our favorite indie artist inevitably gets beaten out by another teen heartthrob. But still, the spectacle of it all is enticing enough for us to tune in year after year. Last year we witnessed a brilliant theatrical performance by Kendrick Lamar, saw Taylor Swift shake off the haters with a big win for her pop album "1989", and witnessed awesome collaborations by artists like James Bay and Tori Kelly. The best part? This year is set up to be just as dramatic and mesmerizing. It is showbiz after all.
This year's record of the year race pits superstar Adele's "Hello" against fellow icon Beyonce's "Formation." Rihanna has an outside chance with "Work" along with newcomer Lucas Graham while alt rockers 21 Pilots look to break the stranglehold that pop and hip hop have had over the category in recent years. Now none of these tracks are among my favorites, but like most people, I love a good underdog story. Here's hoping I'll be surprised come February 12.
It'd be almost impossible to run down every award up for grabs in one blog post, so I'll do my best to give you the most interesting stories of the year. First off, it's worth noting that many of the flagship awards are dominated by the same artists. However, sometimes an unforeseen contender slips into the mix to make things interesting. Take Sturgill Simpson's "A Sailor's Guide to Earth," nominated for album of the year along with Adele, Beyonce, Drake and Justin Beiber. It doesn't take a keen ear to realize that this Americana album is a little out of left field when considering it's competitors. You never know how the voting is going to turn out in these crazy industry run shows, but we here at Olivia Management certainly would love to see a win for the Nashville native.
Album art from Sturgill SImpson's "A Sailor's Guide to Earth"
Another war of opposites seems to be going on in the Best New Artists category. Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris of country stardom are squaring off against Chance the Rapper and Anderson .Paak who represent a new wave of lyrically driven hip hop. Also in the mix is the DJ duo The Chainsmokers. Regardless of your thoughts on each artist, this category undoubtedly represents a crossroads of American music. At the very least it's an interesting contest between twangy electric guitars, intricate stream of consciousness wordplay, and synthesized beats. I say the world is a better place with a little bit of all three, but I do have one gripe with this whole concept of "New Artist." All of these artists have been performing professionally for at least three years. Maybe a better name would be Best Artist to Recently Hit Number One.
Chance the Rapper performs live, sporting his signature "3" hat.
Now that you have a lay of the land, I'll reveal some of my own wishful thinking for this year. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it's no different for music. Well, you listen with your ears instead of your eyes but you get the point. So love or hate my picks, I want to hear your thoughts!
By: Jalena Noakes
After being spoiled with single after single for the past 12 years, John Mayer fans were antsy to hear what (and when) John Mayer would be releasing again. It was a seemingly three-year hiatus from any original music, but it felt like a lifetime.
Following the recent footsteps of Drake and Rihanna, Mayer took an unconventional approach to releasing his music. He announced on Facebook that he would be releasing this next album, The Search for Everything, in “waves”; one wave would be released every month with each wave containing four songs. The Search for Everything-Wave One contains the previously released “Love on the Weekend” as well as “Moving On and Getting Over”, “Changing”, and “You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me”. Each song takes on Mayer’s lyrical interpretation of his personal and relational growth, combined with a 70s pop sound within the mix.
If hearing that we would have four new John Mayer songs each month wasn’t enough, I was excited to hear that he used most of the same musicians and engineers from his 2006 release, Continuum, which earned Mayer a Grammy and debuted at #2 in Billboard’s Top 200 Album charts. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mayer prided himself in the fact that this album’s success would “prove that you can - and should - explore as an artist. That success means freedom, not confinement. That you can take chances, making music that you love without worrying about their commercial reception, and then consciously return to making mainstream records with that much more depth to bring to them. This proves that we can release music in any way that feels native to the work, or how we want it to be presented.”
It’s impossible for John Mayer to disappoint, or maybe that’s just my biased opinion. He was smart in releasing his album in this way, because he’s attracting attention from all audiences and taking part in re-shaping the traditions of the music industry into something that’s more centered around how the artist wants to release their music, rather than letting the label decide. I'm looking forward to hearing what these next few waves sound like and watching John Mayer dominate the charts again!
It's been a little hectic around here lately at Olivia Management, but this guy has been helping us out for a couple weeks now and has already started making life easier for us. Introducing our intern Delaney Willson! A passionate, creative and organized Vandy student from FL, Delaney is a huge asset to us around the OM office. Read all about his eclectic musical tastes and love of Nashville below!
1. What do you want to get out of this internship?
I want to be able to say I made a measurable and tangible contribution to the projects we’re working on. I want to easily be able to define what I was responsible for. Additionally, I’d love to learn more about the interactions that management has with other aspects of the industry, especially record labels, agencies, distribution, and radio.
2. What is your favorite part about Nashville?
My favorite thing about Nashville is the sense of collaboration between musicians, as well as between the various people that represent them. In so many other "music" cities, there is a sense of ruthless competition that really kills opportunities for sharing ideas and creating art as a community. I'd like to think that the music industry isn't a zero sum game, and for that reason I'd take Nashville over NYC, LA, ATL, or London any day of the week.
3. What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?
Obviously I love music or else I wouldn't be here. So like most other music interns I love songwriting, performing, and just creating new music in any shape or form. In a world where we're expected to take 18 hours of classes while also nailing down more internships than you can count on your fingers, picking up a guitar can feel a lot like therapy. But aside from the world of music, I love baseball, tennis, road trips, and mentoring younger students. I get to do that last one a lot as an RA on campus, which is one of the most unexpectedly rewarding experiences I've ever had.
4. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
I gotta go with Jalena on this one; nothing beats a nice juicy steak. If my college student sized budget could somehow afford it, I'd probably order one 5 times a week. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise because that can't be good for your health.
5. Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.
For this, I'll try to start as broad as possible and then reign myself in. I'd have to say my favorite genres are indie rock/alternative and Americana. But I also love some R&B, hip hop, and even a little 90s/2000s country. To be honest, the best music in my opinion tends to blur the lines between at least a couple of those genres.
I'm not much of a gearhead, but I recently rounded out my own pedalboard setup with a sweet Electro Harmonix Cathedral reverb pedal and also picked up a TC Helicon vocal processor. I tend to write Americana-esque lyrics to indie/pop rock melodies, so I'm excited to see what new textures those effects will bring.
There are too many great shows here to count, but my favorite experience might come from a venue that surprises you. Every year Vandy puts on a great spring festival and I've gotta be honest; my freshman year lineup is tough to beat. Check it.
6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I guess this is still up in the air a little, but I’m leaning towards working in marketing (still in music industry) and promotion, because I love the challenge of molding an idea into a strategy, and then taking that strategy and building a following.
7. Why did you want to intern with Olivia Management?
I chose to intern at Olivia Management because I knew it was a place that I could get hands on experience, making meaningful contributions every day. Sometimes bigger companies get caught up in bureaucracy and that prevents people at the bottom of the totem pole from having much of an impact. I love how consistent Erin is in her messaging across all mediums because it demonstrates her ability to control content and develop a brand. I wanted to be able to learn under someone that had that level of attention to detail, but still had autonomy in their decisions so that if a good idea came their way (hopefully via myself occasionally) it could actually be used and not left by the wayside. My first couple days here definitely reaffirm all of my beliefs about the awesome direction Olivia Management is heading! And of course, it'd be remiss of me not to mention that I absolutely love the music of the artists that we represent!
I think most industry professionals would agree when I say, it's the most wonderful time of year! The time when we welcome new interns to the team after going through a brief period of heartbreak, induced by our lack of interns from early December to mid-January.
We are excited to introduce our first new intern of the semester, Jalena! A sophomore music business major, Jalena is super involved in extracurriculars at Belmont and driven to succeed in the music industry. Read more about our upstate New York native below!
1. What do you want to get out of this internship?
Through this internship, I hope to gain a better understanding of artist management, what it takes to run a successful business, and how I can make a positive impact on the music industry. I’m excited to actually be interning with a management company and seeing what their daily tasks look like, as opposed to simply sitting in a classroom and learning about it. I’d like to become more conscious of my time management and would like to further develop my music business skills and abilities.
2. What is your favorite part about Nashville?
My favorite part about Nashville is the level of excellence amongst the musicians in this city. Before moving to Nashville, I knew I would be surrounded by great musicians, but I didn’t think they’d be this great! There are so many talented people here and they’re all willing to help others succeed and master their craft. Also, I can’t complain about the amount of coffee shops in Nashville; I’m never far from an overpriced, hipster latte.
3. What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?
In my free time, I’m either exercising or doing something with music. I love to clear my mind and go hiking or I’ll go to the gym. I recently started boxing and that’s been a great emotional release:) I love researching ways I can become a better musician and then applying those tools! I could definitely spend hours and hours playing instruments or producing music if I didn’t have any other necessary responsibilities.
4. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it’s steak. A medium-rare filet mignon with asparagus and mashed potatoes on the side. Also maybe throw in some fries because I couldn’t imagine life without french fries.
5. Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.
I’m constantly inspired and motivated when I listen to artists like Jon Bellion, 6lack, Melanie Martinez, Snarky Puppy, John Mayer, and The Lumineers. I also love to study the styles of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Nat King Cole. In my opinion, those artists paved a way for themselves and introduced their own genre and a sound that is identified solely by their music. Drake’s producer, Noah Shebib, is a huge inspiration to me. I spend as much time as I can devote to learn from him; I think he is one of the most intelligent producers/audio engineers of this generation.
6. Why did you choose to intern here?
I chose to intern with Olivia Management because this company has a reputation of taking care of their artists and taking their business very seriously. It seems that everyone in Nashville knows of Erin and has only great things to say about her and her company. I wanted to be able to make the most of the time I would spend interning, and I knew that working here would be a perfect fit.
2016 was filled with extreme ups and downs, but one thing that kept it consistent was the high caliber of music that was released throughout the year. Listen to the soundtrack of my 2016 (songs are in no particular order) and check out my other favorites of this year!
1. Angel Olsen - MY WOMAN
2. Beyoncé - Lemonade
3. Margaret Glaspy - Emotions And Math
4. Whitney - Light Upon the Lake
5. Kid Freud - American Boy EP
6. Big Thief - Masterpiece
7. Frankie Cosmos - Next Thing
8. Bon Iver - 22, A Million
9. Amanda Shires - My Piece of Land
10. Wye Oak - Tween
1. LCD Soundsystem at Bonnaroo: I'd never seen LCD live and I was really anticipating having a great time at this show, but it exceeded my expectations. With a spot near the front with all of my friends, I really did dance myself clean...
2. Angel Olsen at Terminal West in Atlanta: This was obviously going to be high on my list since it's my favorite album of the year. Angel is mesmerizing with her million mile stare, cool demeanor and emotionally cutting songs.
3.The Secret Sisters at City Winery New York: Our gals always put on an impressive performance, but the crowd in NYC was part of the reason this show was so special. It was my first time visiting, and I didn't expect the audience to be so responsive, but they were really showing The Secret Sisters how much they were enjoying themselves; the sisters were definitely feeding off of that excitement.
4. Allen Stone at Cumberland Caverns: Allen Stone. In a cave. Need I say more?
5. Adele at Bridgestone Arena: I couldn't not include this on my list. I lucked out because my friend had an extra ticket. You can't say no to a free Adele show. Her performances are special because you get just as much talking as you do singing, which I personally like. You leave feeling like you've just hung out with her for a couple hours.
6. Jill Andrews at Moon River Festival: (pictured above) This festival was fun for many reasons. It was one of my first few weeks with Olivia, the company my best friend works for put on the fest, and it was the first time I saw Jill perform. Most magical moment: at the end Jill joined Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, David Ramirez and Johnnyswim to sing "All You Need is Love".
7. The Weeks and Kid Freud at 3rd & Lindsley for Nashville Sunday Night by L100: TWO ROCK BANDS TO LOVE FROM NASHVILLE! Both of these performances were just so much fun and all of these guys are extremely talented.
8. Amanda Shires at City Winery Atlanta: This was the first time I got to see the entirety of Amanda's show live. Her performance is captivating and authentic, and you experience a wide range of emotions between her witty stories, heartfelt ballads and KILLER fiddle skills.
9. Dawes at Live on the Green: One of my favorite bands and one of my favorite parts of the year. Dawes always gives me all the feels.
10. Tame Impala at Bonnaroo: The last time I saw Tame Impala, I experienced the worst migraine of my life, so I was very stoked to be able to see them uninhibited this time around. My friend and I fought through the mass of bodies to get a spot, made friends while dancing and soaked up every second of Kevin Parker's glory.
1. The Secret Sisters will be releasing new music: guys, you're going to LOVE IT
2. Fleet Foxes new album and tour!!!
3. Margaret Glaspy at the High Watt in February
4. Big Thief at the High Watt in January
5. Olivia Management has some really exciting new things coming in 2017 that we can't wait to share with everyone! Check back here on the blog to stay posted!
I made you a playlist of all of my jams this year.
Including: Angel Olsen, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, M83, Bon Iver, Dawes, Dylan LeBlanc, Jill Andrews, Langhorne Slim, Amanda Shires and more!
*I realized while compiling this list that our artists played so much this year, I didn't go to enough non-OM shows. Making that a goal for 2017! Thanks to the artists that moved me in 2016!
By Cooper Short
They say time flies by when you’re having fun, and my 4 months spent at Olivia Management can easily be described in this way. My internship experience has been nothing but enjoyable, fun, and educational. I’ve been able to learn so many new things and hone skills that I already had coming into this internship. My love for music and the music industry has only been strengthened by my time at OM.
A lot of younger adults dread internships and are almost hesitant to even become an intern for a company. This is because of the stigma that most companies put on being an intern. You either perform data management or you run errands and make coffee. You sometimes don’t get anything out of internships other than the Starbucks barista knowing you by your first name because of your frequent visits for staff (I know this firsthand). OM breaks this stigma and creates a work environment that is engaging and hands on for interns. They involve you in so many different tasks that directly affect the artist’s career. Tour promotion, merchandise management, fixing broken tour van windows and anything else you can think of in the management area for artists are the tasks that an intern at OM will perform. The direct involvement in such tasks has bettered my understanding of being an artist manager and how chaotic, yet extremely satisfying of a career it is.
I’m sad to be leaving OM after an amazing semester, but I’m so thankful to have been a part of the OM team. I’ve established amazing relationships with Erin, Maggie, and my fellow intern Megan, which will continue on for many years. Although I will be gone, the impact that I have made at OM and the impact OM has made on me will show even after I’m gone. I am so excited to take my experiences from OM and apply them to my future adventures in the music field.
By: Megan Jones
As my time here at OM comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on everything that I’ve experienced, learned, and accomplished. Being involved in a smaller artist management firm, I’ve really been able to have my hands in everything (not just coffee runs—a common theme for interns). From press to merch, artist relations to the fans, our consulting clients to social media analytics, promotion to phone calls, and so much more... I have experienced more than I ever thought I would. With the constant inspiration from CEO Erin, the positive vibes radiating from assistant manager Maggie, and the humor and creativity flowing out of fellow intern Cooper, I’ve enjoyed this internship more than ever... Seriously.
While I think about this past semester, I remember doing a lot of “firsts.” I visited Lightning 100 for the first time, I went to my first show at the Ryman, it was my first time hanging out with a hit producer (Dave Cobb!) at RCA Studios, and it was also the first time I actually got to meet the artists I've been supporting. On that note, I also experienced a lot of simpler Nashville things with OM, like driving through the cute downtown area of Franklin, grabbing a donut from the hipster Barista Parlor, eating tasty taco platters at Mas Tacos, stopping by the chill Grimey’s Record Store, visiting the rustic Marathon Village, and many more.
As I look back, I can see that my work actually made a difference and directly impacted both OM and our artists—myself included. Being able to hang out with the crew and our artists was such a pleasure and I’m fortunate to have experienced everything that I did. From this point, I plan on taking all of this new knowledge that I've acquired over the past 4 months and applying it to future endeavors, whatever those may be and wherever it may take me. Much love for OM and a bittersweet farewell.
By: Megan Jones
It’s time to get in the holiday spirit! With Halloween behind us, Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, and a new year approaching us—artists are starting to release new holiday music and going on winter tours.
Our lovely Jill Andrews recently released a new Christmas EP with Peter Groenwald called Jingle Your Bells and The Secret Sisters are hitting the road for a winter tour starting November 30th!
Get your hot chocolate, warm blankets, and cozy up for a music-filled holiday season. Here’s my hour-long holiday playlist featuring Jill’s new EP and some of my favorites! To get more info about our artists' recent festivities, click the gray hyperlinks above! Enjoy
By: Cooper Short
During the wake of the Presidential Election, the final month of the fall semester, and the year soon coming to a close, life tends to not slow down as fast as we want it to. Stress levels are high as we try to meet deadlines and prepare for the changes to come, whether it be preparing for the holidays, or for the New Year. We become so caught up in everything that we tend to forget to take the time to sit down, take a deep breath, and just be.
It is very important to take the time to relieve stress through relaxation and decompression. I myself forget to do this often, but try to make an effort to do so when I remember. If you are like me and love music and everything about it, your decompression comes from sitting down and listening to music. Those couple of minutes or sometimes hours of just sitting still and letting your mind rest to the sound of music is one of the most therapeutic things anyone can do.
After reading this, try taking a couple of minutes out of your day to rest your mind and listen to some of your favorite music. Create a playlist on Spotify or any other streaming/digital music service so you always have it ready to go. I can almost promise you that you will feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the rest of your projects after spending just a couple of minutes relaxing this way.
You can check out my quick, 30-minute playlist below, including songs by various artists from different genres.
