Femme Festivals (Part II)

By: Lea Walker

Hi friends! It's Lea here, back with another mini equality rant for your reading pleasure (hopefully). If you didn't read my last post on Females and Festivals, go check it out for some background information before you read this one! Despite the fact that some of the biggest mainstream artists- Adele, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, etc. - are women, festivals all over the world continue to overload their lineups with male dominated acts. More often than not, when you look at a festival lineup it will take some time for a woman's name to appear. For example, here is Lollapalooza's 2018 Lineup, which doesn't have a female artist until the fourth line!

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It's 2018 and equality has come a long way, but we have got some work to do. Talent is talent and deserves recognition regardless of gender, race, sexuality etc. Slowly, but surely we are making a difference. An awesome festival that kicks off 2019 is Brandi Carlile's, Girls Just Wanna Weekend in Mexico. It has an entirely female lineup including the lovely Secret Sisters!  Here's an awesome quote from Brandi with a rundown of some goals for this event. 

"I was brought up by Lilith Fair to believe that men and women enjoy live music equally and that women can not only headline a festival—they can BE a festival. I’m proud to announce that our festival has an ALL female-fronted lineup,” Carlile said in a statement. “I would absolutely LOVE to see a ton of men there supporting women in rock and roll, I want to see mothers with children, single people, LGBTQ brothers and sisters letting it all go for a weekend together in harmony (with bottomless tequila on hand to assist)."

Tickets went on sale TODAY! Get them here before they're gone! 

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If you follow The Secret Sisters on Instagram,  you may have recently witnessed their passion for equal representation, specifically,  among women and people of color. Laura and Lydia were in the Nashville airport when they noticed a  C.F. Martin & Co display that showcased a number of significant musicians playing a Martin guitar. However, every picture was of a white male... The music industry and a plethora of others are failing to keep equality and proper representation in mind even with something as simple as the photographs in the airport. On the other hand, The Secret Sisters are playing in another festival with a lineup that proves some people are aware of the problem. In September, the ladies will be playing at the sold out Moon River Music Festival in Chattanooga, TN that has quite the diverse lineup!

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Hopefully, by now you are aware of the issue and will demand better! We need festivals to be conscious and deliberate about the artists they ask to perform. Of course, equality is an issue in a multitude of industries but, let this inspire you to support females in every facet of art and life! Support women by going to their incredible concerts, buying their photography prints, reading their books, and everything in between.  

The Secret Sisters Songs Can Now Be Added To Your IG Story!

By Lily Bunta

Instagram has recently announced its newest feature of adding music to Instagram stories, and The Secret Sisters is one of the many artists included! With a library containing thousands of songs in several genres, users are now able to incorporate their favorite songs into shared moments on their Instagram stories.

Facebook has established agreements with major record labels and music publishing companies in the past months to ensure that user-generated content is safe from being deleted due to use of unlicensed music.

The goal of Facebook and Facebook-owned companies like Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Oculus, is to foster creativity among its users so they are able to share their work on these social media platforms. After solidifying the deals with the music companies, Facebook is encouraging its users to utilize this creative and fun feature across their social media platforms as much as possible!

What's even more exciting is The Secret Sisters’ second album Put Your Needle Down is included in Instagram's library so you can add their music to your next Instagram story! All songs are 15-second clips, but users are able to select the part of the song they want to include.

Below is a quick and easy guide on how to add The Secret Sisters to your next Instagram story and make your content even better!

 

Steps To Adding The Secret Sisters Music To Your Instagram Story

  1. Tap to add a sticker to your photo or video, and you will now see a music icon in the middle of the different options.
  2. When you tap on the music icon, Instagram's vast library of songs will pop up and you can swipe to look through the genres, moods, or by searching in what's popular.
  3. Search "The Secret Sisters" and the entire Put Your Needle Down album will show up.
  4. Select which song you want to play during your story and you're all set! 
By searching for The Secret Sisters, you are able to select any of the songs to put on your story!

By searching for The Secret Sisters, you are able to select any of the songs to put on your story!

Get creative and add The Secret Sisters music to your story!!

Get creative and add The Secret Sisters music to your story!!

When you've added a song from Put Your Needle Down, all your followers will be able to view the song and artist you've chosen in a sticker format on your story! Your followers can now see and hear what you're listening to and become fans too! 

Favorite Fan Covers - Matthew Perryman Jones

By: Nora McGonigle

A few weeks ago, Lea posted a blog with some of her favorite fan covers of The Secret Sisters' songs on YouTube. We decided to do the same thing for Matthew Perryman Jones this week. There are so many great covers from MPJ fans on YouTube, but here a few that stood out to me!

Katie Costello - Save You

The first cover I came across on YouTube is from artist and songwriter, Katie Costello. I love her version of the song with just her piano and amazing voice. Check out Katie's website here!

 

Lennon Stella - When It Falls Apart

We all know Lennon & Maisy from the hit TV show, Nashville. Watch this video from 2011 of Lennon Stella covering Matthew's "When It Falls Apart." Check out their website here and follow them on Instagram @lennonandmaisyofficial

The Fields - Can't Get It Right

I love this duo's version of "Can't Get It Right." Their voices go great together and they have a few other covers on their YouTube channel. Check them out

Jordan H - Save You

Jordan made "Save You" his own by getting creative and looping in several different instruments in this video. Check out his YouTube channel for more here!

The Fourth of July Playlist is Here!

By: Lily Bunta

It's America's birthday and we have the playlist to meet all your patriotic needs this 4th of July! Click the link below to listen to our playlist and enjoy a mix of summer classics, dreamy indie folk songs, and alternative rock anthems to keep your holiday as americana as possible. Cheers to the red, white, and blue!

 

A playlist featuring My Morning Jacket, Matthew Perryman Jones, Hush Kids, and others

Artist Growth Develops Partnership with Pinnacle

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By: Nora McGonigle

Olivia Management has been working with the touring software company Artist Growth for a couple years now, and we value them greatly! They have made our jobs much easier by providing a software that keeps us and our artists on the same page about the minute details of their tours and events. Our founder has often wondered how she ever was able to do her job without it! Artist Growth has just teamed up with Pinnacle for a program that will help finance artists on tour, and we're very excited for the possibilities that partnership can open up. Check out this article from Billboard for more information! 

 

 

 

#NewMusicFriday

There's some great stuff that's been shared with the world lately! New singles from Matthew Perryman Jones and Hush Kids, some new music videos that I love from a few local artists and an album I'll be digging into this weekend. My personal New Music Friday highlights are below!

1. Matthew Perryman Jones - Careless Man 

2. Hush Kids - Love is a Made Up Word 

3. Lydia Luce - Helen (Official Music Video) 

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4. Stephen Day - Dancing in the Street (Official Music Video) 

5. Erin Rae - June Bug (Official Music Video) 

6. The Milk Carton Kids - All The Things I Did and All The Things I Didn't Do (Full Album Stream) 

Favorite Fan Covers

By Lea Walker

Whenever I get obsessed with a song, not only do I play it on repeat, but I usually check out covers of it on YouTube. I love discovering what musicians do to make a song unique or fit their style. So, I decided to see if we had any talented folks posting covers of The Secret Sisters' songs. I wasn't surprised to hear amazing harmonies from many talented fans, but here are my three favorite! I also included some of their social media/websites if you want to hear more!

This first cover is of "Tennessee River Runs Low" by three lovely ladies who not only sang in perfect harmony, but got creative by using some fun instruments like a melodica. Check it out! Instagram accounts: Sara Clefstad  Janna Banman and Krista Janzen

Sara, Janna, & Krista cover The Secret Sisters' 2017 song "Tennessee River Runs Low."

This next cover of "Tomorrow Will be Kinder" was great because not only did their voices mesh well together, but I love the fact that they each played guitar.  And can we talk about how they're just sitting on the stairs?! This cover is simple and pure, which is why it's great. http://danawilliamsofficial.com/ http://bentaylormusic.com/

Dana Williams and Ben Taylor cover 'Tomorrow Will Be Kinder' by the Secret Sisters. Directed by Greer Rivera (www.greerrivera.com) @GreerRivera Dana Williams @IAmDanaWilliams - Vocals & Guitar Ben Taylor @BenTaylorMusic - Vocals Guitar

Lastly, we have a cover of "River Jordan" and once again we're sticking with the theme of excellent harmony because that's the epitome of The Secret Sisters, is it not? I love that these three young ladies are outside playing unique instruments like a guitalele and what appears to be some sort of zither. So cool! www.facebook.com/thedearheartsmusic

http://www.facebook.com/thedearheartsmusic http://www.instagram.com/the_dearhearts

Hush Kids: In the Studio

BY: LAUREN DEGEN

When Kacey Musgraves' new record, Golden Hour was released at the end of March, it was the talk of the town. Listeners loved the record because of the beautiful lyrics and perfect production that complimented each other so well, making every song addicting. At Olivia Management, we listened to it in the office on repeat for a couple weeks.

But our connection to the record runs deeper than a simple love for the music. Hush Kids (Jill Andrews and Peter Groenwald) just finished their debut album which was produced by Ian Fitchuk--one of the masterminds behind Golden Hour. While recording and producing the new Hush Kids album, Fitchuk always made an effort to include and acknowledge everyone in the room, interns and musicians alike, even when he was in the creative zone. Besides being immensely talented, Fitchuk's contagious energy helped bring the record to the next level.

You can watch Hush Kids' Pledge video, donate to their Pledge campaign, and find pictures from the studio, below.

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Songs for Father's Day!

By Madeline Heiskell 

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!! I love my Dad (HI DAD IF YOU AR READING THIS!!), and when I hear a song that reminds me of my dad, I usually start crying my eyes out because 1. I love him so much, 2. He has always been the best role model, and 3. I miss his every day. My family lives all the way in San Diego, California. In case you were wondering, that's about 2,000 miles from Nashville, TN, where I live now, so missing him is a daily occurrence.

Below you can check out a list of a few of my favorite songs that remind me of my dad and bring a smile to my face. 

1. The Girl You Think I Am - Carrie Underwood

2. Carry Me - The Secret Sisters

3. Watchin' You - Rodney Atkins

4. Cinderella - Steven Curtis Chapman

5. My Little Girl - Tim McGraw

6. Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoole

And if you want some more songs for your playlist, or some songs with a different perspective for Father's day, Billboard created an all inclusive Father's Day Playlist. In the words of Billboard, the songs range from "Jay Z and Stevie Wonder showing love to their newborn daughters to Tupac Shakur giving his pops the finger and Madonna cursing hers as well." Check it out at the link below!

Favorite Music Videos of 2018 (so far)

By: Nora McGonigle

If you're like me, when you're bored, procrastinating, or there's nothing good on TV to watch, you find yourself surfing YouTube for music videos. I love how music videos bring your favorite songs to life and sometimes gives them a whole new meaning. It's hard to narrow it down to five favorites, so these are just five of my favorites from 2018 so far. 

Brandi Carlile - The Joke

In case you haven't heard, our very own The Secret Sisters are on the road with Brandi Carlile this summer. Check out this video for her single, The Joke. Brandi's vocals are stellar in this song dedicated to those who are feeling unloved and misunderstood. This song reminds me of her smash hit, The Story. Make sure to visit The Secret Sisters' website for a list of tour dates with Brandi and to purchase tickets here. 

Kacey Musgraves - Space Cowboy

I have had Kacey Musgraves' new album, Golden Hour, on repeat since it came out in March. One of my favorite tracks is one of her lead singles, Space Cowboy. Kacey's songwriting never disappoints! 

Man of the Woods - Justin Timberlake

How can you not be excited about a new JT album? I am loving Justin's new sound on his album Man of the Woods, and love this fun video for the title track. 

Miranda Lambert - Tin Man

I love Miranda's Lambert's soft and raw voice, and it shines in this beautiful, heartbreaking song. I think Miranda is at her best when it's just her, a guitar, and her lyrics, like in her music video from the ACM Awards. 

Carrie Underwood - Cry Pretty

Of course, I can't leave Carrie out of any of my favorites lists. I was so excited when I saw her announcement for a new single, and new album coming this fall. After waiting three years for new music, Carrie does not disappoint with her amazing vocals and heartfelt lyrics. And wow, this song is one killer vocal workout!

Summer Interns, Pt 3: Lea Walker

As Lea mentions below, we had the pleasure of meeting at Belmont's internship fair about a year ago. Timing is everything, however, and it's truly an exciting time for her to be interning with us! Lea is so eager to soak up every ounce of information she can about the craft of management and the inner workings of the biz, and we really love that about her. She's a go-getter, and we're excited to see what things we can accomplish together this summer. Read our Q&A to learn more!

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What do you want to get out of this internship?

Overall, I want to improve my management skills and learn strategies to be the best for my artists. I also want to learn new systems for efficiency in my work, while improving my abilities in graphic design and excel.

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

I love to dance my butt off at shows, lift weights, and spend time in nature with my friends. I also enjoy going to the movies and playing with my cat.

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

I think I could live off of bananas!

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.

I listen to the widest variety of music, which includes almost every genre (sorry metal, you didn’t make the cut). I have always loved the Beatles because I grew up listening to their CDs or my Dad playing their songs on guitar. Currently, some of my favorite bands/artists are Glass Animals, Childish Gambino, Paramore, and Whitney.

Why did you choose to intern here?

I chose to intern with Olivia Management because Maggie and Erin really stood out to me when I met them at Belmont University’s internship fair. I felt that I could learn a lot from them and truly do meaningful work.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

My absolute favorite part about Nashville is that I am surrounded by music. I always have something to do and can go to a show whenever I please!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I would like to continue managing artists, but one of my dreams is to be an A&R executive.

 

 

5 Things To Do If You Aren't Doing 'Roo

By Maggie Adams

I love Bonnaroo just as much as the next gal, what with the discovery of new music, the sense of community you have with your gROOp camping crew and Bonnaroovians at large and the freedom of silent disco...but sometimes you have to give yourself a break. The driving, the parking, the setting up and tearing down of the campsite - it's very involved and not for the faint of heart. Some years, you just have to accept the fact that you need to save money, stay in town and find something to do that'll satisfy your need for adventure. ENTER - this list of awesome things to do if you're staying in Nashville this weekend instead of heading to Manchester. (Full disclosure, I am going to Bonnaroo Saturday and Sunday, but I will be bummed to miss out on the following activities in this list.) 

*Events listed in chronological order* 

1. Movies in the park - Thurs, 6/7

Last week, I discovered the innocent splendor of Movies in the Park, brought to you by the Nashville Scene. Every Thursday, they project a family friendly movie at the park that begins at sundown. PRO TIP: go early to scope out your spot, bring picnic supplies and a couple chairs then you're all set for a free night of entertainment. This Thursday they'll play Wonder Woman. 

2. Musicians Corner - Thurs, 6/7 - Sat, 6/9

COME ON, PEOPLE, if you didn't know about this already where have you been? You don't need me to tell you about this FREE, local music festival that happens throughout the summer and features incredible artists while promoting local conservancy efforts. No, you don't need me to do that, but I'm doing it because, who knows, maybe too much time has passed since last summer and you've forgotten. Thursday, June 8th, go check out Angel Snow, Dylan Leblanc, Andrew Combs and The Nashville Symphony. Friday, June 9th features Liz Longley, Leah Blevins and Dan Layus (remember when The Secret Sisters sang on his record?) to name a few. On Saturday, locals Jack Berry, Sarah Zuniga and Beth White (who recently received praise from the goddess herself, Sheryl Crow, on Instagram) perform on Lightning 100's Acoustic Stage. Taking the main stage are Nashville sweethearts The Weeks, Lasso Spells, The Aquaducks and Tristen. And if you still need a reason beyond the wild talent, the featured non-profit is the Oasis Center and there will also probably be dope food trucks. 

3.  laugh at third coast comedy - Sat, 6/9

They have so many events it will boggle the mind! If you want to escape the madness of CMA Fest, then go check out a comedy show at Third Coast Comedy in Marathon Village and get your giggles on.  This Saturday, June 9th, they have an afternoon show that looks promising: "If you thought your favorite thing about Nashville is music, you just might be surprised by the depth of talent of Nashville's comedy scene." Go check it out! 

4. Listen to "Live From Here" on NPR - Sat, 6/9

The great thing about radio is that you can listen to it from anywhere. Stay in with your cat and a glass of wine. Sit in your car, enjoy the AC and crank up Chris Thile's mandolin. Even if you ARE at Bonnaroo and need a breather from the EDM stylings of Boogie T B2B Squnto (don't worry, I've never heard of them either) around 5pm CST you can tune into Live From Here with Chris Thile and catch The Secret Sisters! Tune into your local public radio station from 5-7pm CST on Saturday or listen online here. 

5. Go see Escondido at the cowan - sun, 6/10

Still debating on whether or not I'm leaving Bonnaroo early to see this one! Escondido opens for The Wallflowers at The Cowan on Sunday, June 10th. Have you checked out The Cowan yet? You need to. It's technically connected to Top Golf, but not so connected that the rowdiness of a sports bar atmosphere interferes with the venue (although it might be nice to throw a couple back with a round of golf beforehand). It's a very good vibe. And it's sure to be a very good show. 10/10 would recommend. GET TICKETS HERE!

MPJ at Tokens in Nashville, TN

By Madeline Heiskell

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It's always fun when one of our artists plays a show at home. This Thursday, June 7th, the wonderfully talented Matthew Perryman Jones will be playing at the Tokens Show at Collins Alumni Auditorium on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Tokens has been described by The Nashville Scene and The Tennessean as, "Genre-bending creativity," "Nashville’s Best Local Variety Show," "amazing," and "one of a kind."

As stated on their website, " We celebrate artistic brilliance; critical thinking; and friendship. We have fun, and we make fun: of religion, politics, and marketing. And ourselves. You might think of us as something like musicians without borders; or as poets, philosophers, theologians and humorists transgressing borders."

If you are in the Nashville area next Thursday, don't miss out on this awesome event! Get your tickets at the link below! 

Summer Interns, Pt 2: Lily Bunta

Lily came to us by way of the Belmont internship fair a few semesters ago, and we loved how enthusiastic she was about getting to know us and our artists. She's interned with Crowd Surf Marketing, and I'm excited to put her to work as one of my right-hand marketing gals!

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What do you want to get out of this internship?

  • I want to learn as much as I can about all the different components of artist management in the music industry. Gaining exposure to the many aspects of the management side of the industry from a company like Olivia Management is such an incredible opportunity! I’ve heard that management does a little bit of everything and I can’t wait to get my hands on everything this amazing experience has to offer!

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

  • You can find me doing anything from playing frisbee in the park, reading books or articles, or listening to new music. I love to learn about new things and I love being outside. I'm also really interested in photography and learning more about the many ways to capture moments with pictures. 

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

  • I could live off of strawberries because I love how fresh they taste, especially in the summer! They're the perfect food when it's really hot out, and it's always really fun when you go and pick them yourself!  

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you've been to...tell us anything you love about music.

  • There are so many different and exciting avenues artists are taking right now under the alternative genre, so I would say alternative is my favorite genre.
  • Some of my favorite artists include Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Tame Impala, Chance the Rapper, The War on Drugs, and Whitney.
  • I also love going to live shows or music festivals because you get exposure to other artists as well as seeing some of your favorites! 

Why did you choose to intern here?

  • I chose to intern at Olivia Management because I love what the company stands for and their approach to management in the music industry. One of the company’s key values is excellence and having that in common was very important to me. Being able to work in an atmosphere where growth and excellence are valued greatly is an incredible experience. I am so excited to see where this internship takes me and can’t wait for all of the lessons I am going to learn along the way!

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

  • My favorite part about Nashville is the people. I'm someone who loves meeting new people and being surrounded by such an eclectic mix of individuals is really inspiring. Everyone has a reason as to why they're here and it's really exciting to be around such a driven and motivated population like this one. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

  • When I grow up, I want to be able to say that I learned from every experience I had and I put my stamp on everything I did. There will be many obstacles in life and I want to have learned from the failures, the achievements, and everything in between. Whether I'm an artist manager, a tour manager, or in a completely different field in the industry, I want to be able to say that I kept an open mind and put my "Lily" stamp on all that came my way!