Comments on: A Short Guide to Artist Relations

By: Dave Cross

Dave Cross — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 01:58:29 +0000

I’m not an expert on this matter, but I do feel that venue-based artist relations are slightly different. There are exceptions, but I believe most venues are merely vessels for acts, instead of being active bookers themselves.

By: Artist relations dreamer

Artist relations dreamer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:07:26 +0000

How does one get into artist relations?
For say a venue that has regular industry leading acts?
Do they use their own database of artists to book them or are they just the representation of the who venue teams decisions

By: Dave Cross

Dave Cross — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:39:12 +0000

1. The Artist Relations work stemmed from my Marketing duties at Ableton in the mid-2000s. The excitement was the typical voyeurism (“What’s this person REALLY like?”) and fanboy-ism (“OMG I can’t believe I met XXX!”).

2. Not a traditional musician, but some DJing and music Production background. I was careful to NEVER cross that line and try to use my artist relations gig as an avenue for my own gain (slipping a demo to someone, for example). It just felt odd, using that relationship as a means for self-promotion.

If I were a well-known artist in my own right, I think it’d be a different story. But until that happens, it feels like I’m “using” the relationship to further an agenda unrelated to the reason for the relationship.

3. Time: I’ve been going pretty much full-time for one year.

4. Travel: Not much at this early phase. If this becomes successful, I could see quite a bit of benefit in doing the “circuit” of relevant trade shows and music events around the world.

* I hope to write a summary of the past year’s ups and downs as a blog post for the near future. Hopefully that’ll shed some additional light for you.

By: Cain

Cain — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:33:54 +0000

I like the fact that you are removing the artist element from “artist relations”, and seeing them more as people. I believe it is that exact transparent behavior/mentality is what forges genuine relationships and those people will inevitably trust you with anything.

A couple questions:
How did you find yourself into artist relations? What excited you about it? Are you a musician yourself? If so, do you feel as if it has put you in positions of opportunity to potentially collaborate, or sell yourself?

As far as time, how many hours per week do you find yourself working? I’m also assuming you travel a lot.

I ask because I have just recently become interested in the field and would really appreciate some honest feedback.

Thanks,
Cain