Episodes
-
Fireplay’s Chief Creative Officer and CEO Nick Whitehouse has honed his craft with nearly a quarter of a century in this business. Starting as a Lighting Designer and with the guidance of a mentor, Whitehouse expanded his role to production designer and creative producer with a bold style that has won the admiration of music’s most prominent figures and a 15-year collaboration with Justin Timberlake. From Super Bowl performances and award shows to pivotal moments in popular culture, chances are you’ve seen Whitehouse’s work without even knowing it. The UK native created Fireplay to bring a unique and collaborative touch to the industry and to provide services that go beyond artists’ expectations to revolutionize production and design. In our discussion, we talk about ways the entertainment industry has been at the forefront of sustainability through technological innovations, the approach that makes Fireplay unique within the industry, and the opportunities that exist in AR/VR coming out of the pandemic.
-
Veteran Risk Management and Security Specialist Malchijah Bailey has built a sterling reputation working with artists of all genres at the highest level. During his 25 years in business, Bailey has taken a wealth of experiences as a Road Manager, Tour Manager and One Man Tour de Force handling Personal and Venue Security on stadium tours, gaining intimate knowledge of the different audiences that come see his clients, resulting in a security mindset that prioritizes people and relationships. In our discussion with Bailey we talk about how backstage will need to evolve when we return to the road, the best way to create and preserve the right tour vibe, and learn tricks of the trade that have made him a source of knowledge and inspiration.
-
Missing episodes?
-
Megan Duckett came to the US with dreams of becoming a rock 'n' roll lighting tech. Unfortunately, that dream was never fully realized, but with the true hustler spirit, Megan carved out her own unique space in soft goods, and has taken her business from an 800-square-foot operation in Torrance to a 50,000-square-foot operation in Compton, employing more than 30 people, making backdrops and custom soft goods for groups like KISS, The Foo Fighters, Guns 'N' Roses, and Kendrick Lamar. In our discussion, we talk about Megan's hustler spirit, the innovative ways she's incorporated technology into her business, her pivot to PPE during COVID, and the importance of finding purpose in the face of adversity.
-
Noelle Scaggs is best known for her stage presence as the co-frontperson for multi-platinum group Fitz and the Tantrums, as well as an accomplished songwriter whose credits include co-writing her band’s singles, “Out Of My League” and “The Walker.” But today we are talking to Noelle about her work behind the stage rather than on it. In the spring of 2020 Noelle felt the urge to transform the workforce of the live music industry into a better reflection of the diverse communities through a new movement she dubbed Diversify the Stage (DTS). DTS counts on the support of industry professionals and artists to collectively and actively build a culture of accountability that establishes more inclusive hiring practices and greater access to opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQ, and female-identifying and gender non-conforming individuals. In less than a year, Diversify The Stage has set forth long-term change by partnering with the Music Forward Foundation to create educational and mentorship opportunities, in addition to working with NeverFamous.com to establish a central hub for accessing a wide pool of qualified crew members. In our show we talk about the creation of DTS, the industry response to the movement, and the need to get more artists on board with the message.
-
Few combine Tami Blevins' genuine warmth and no-nonsense attitude, two attributes which make her uniquely suited to handle Artist Relations for C3 Presents' portfolio of festivals, including Lollapalooza (worldwide), Austin City Limits, Voodoo Festival and more. In our discussion with Tami we talk about creating opportunities for PoC in the music industry, taking responsibility on the road, and the current return to work prospects. Then, in an enjoyable twist, Tami turns the tables asking questions of the hosts as well. Something tells us this won't be the last time people hear from Tami on HLUB.
Don't forget to subscribe to the mailer to learn about new episodes and opportunities in the entertainment industry by going to hustlelikeubroke.com/join, and remember to leave us a review in Apple Podcasts.
-
"Women working in professional audio make up just 5% of all audio engineers," says tour veteran and host of the SoundGirls podcast Beckie ("Bex") Campbell. That number is staggeringly low, and is something that SoundGirls endeavors to fix. Founded by Karrie Keyes and Michelle Sabolchick Pettinato, SoundGirls "supports women working in professional audio and music production by highlighting their success and providing a place for them to connect, network, and share advice." In this episode, we speak to Bex and Claire Murphy, guitar tech and author of Girl on the Road: How to Break into Touring from a Female Perspective, about SoundGirls approach to providing unique opportunities for aspiring young women, the challenges that need to be overcome, and the roadmap to equality in concert touring.
Don't forget to subscribe to the mailer to learn about new episodes and opportunities in the entertainment industry by going to hustlelikeubroke.com/join!
-
Over the past decade, Kimberly Hurtarte has been working with artists, corporations, individuals, and nonprofit organizations to design and implement sustainable campaigns generating meaningful impact on a global scale. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Incubus’ Make Yourself Foundation and as an advisor at Global Impact. She began touring with Linkin Park in 2015 as part of their foundation’s fan engagement initiative, which gave way to an unexpected but exciting new career as tour manager soon after. Her passion for logistics, problem-solving, and relationship building has led to rewarding opportunities working for artists like Incubus, Meghan Trainor, and Lizzo. In our discussion with Kimberly we talk about her origins in the Peace Corp, her transition to touring, and helping artists activate their fans around worthy causes.
-
The Weeknd. Motley Crue. Imagine Dragons. Kelsea Ballerini. Bon Jovi. The Lumineers. Muse. Pentatonix. Halsey. Game of Thrones? If you're asking what those all have in common, the answer is simple: Sooner Routhier, one of the top designers in the entertainment industry. Beginning her career working for New England based Rainbow Productions, Sooner would quickly take her lighting talents to groups like Chevelle and Audioslave. From there, the sky was the limit, as Sooner has piled up awards and recognitions (Parnelli, Top Dawg, Live Design, etc.). In our discussion, we talk about her path from small-town Vermonter to world renowned designer, the many people she credits for helping her along the way, and what it takes to bring an artist's creative vision to life.
Want to keep up with all of our episodes? Subscribe now at hustlelikeubroke.com/join for the newest episodes, exclusive offers, and more.
-
Jerome Crooks is a hall-of-fame-worthy tour manager, working with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Linkin Park, Adele, and The Beastie Boys. As one of the top professionals in the industry, Jerome has carved out a unique path, yet few people in the business today are doing as much as he is to roll down the ladder for those that follow in his footsteps. A founder and/or partner in Never Famous, the Touring Professionals Alliance, and Diversify the Stage, Crooks has made bringing people along a critical part of his legacy. In our discussion with Jerome, we talk about the many organizations he's developing, handling loss, maintaining and strengthening family relationships, and why there's something special about working with people you respect.
-
A hustler's hustler, Kristina Raines has held a wide variety of positions in the live events industry, and found her niche with HeadCount, a nonprofit using live music to promote voter registration by partnering with artists like Ariana Grande, Dead & Company, Dave Matthews Band, and Billie Eilish. As the Major Gifts Director, Kristina has a pivotal role in working with these artists to create unique fundraising opportunities. A nomad by nature, Kristina began her career working for an Athens, GA based jam band and has bounced around ever since, landing in places like Miami, Boulder, Eugene OR, the Hamptons and most recently Maui, all the while working gigs like Red Rocks, Art Basel, and the Super Bowl. In this episode, Kristina shares her unique journey, explains the importance of civic responsibility and democratic participation, and offers a fresh perspective for industry newcomers.
-
Some people are just born ready and go straight to the big leagues. Sure thing Hall of Famer Angie Warner is one. Since her first tour as a PA on NSYNC's "No Strings Attached" stadium run, Angie has worked in a variety of roles for an impressive collection of clients, including Madonna, Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, Dave Matthews Band, Jay-Z, Imagine Dragons, Puff Daddy, No Doubt, and more. These days, Angie is busy Tour Managing Post Malone, so the HLUB crew adjusted their schedules to catch up with her between gigs to discuss her personal touch and no nonsense attitude, how she stays balanced on the road and at home, and the ways that pioneering women in the industry helped shape her career.
-
Stu Berk is one of the good guys. From his early days playing guitar in a band for which Matt happened to be the agent, to more recent efforts as a Production Manager, Tour Manager, and even as substitute guitarist in Young the Giant, his efforts are informed by a belief that building respect is a critical component of the concert touring industry. In this episode we talk with Stu about the experiences that helped shape his perspective, his work on the LVL Up Benefit Concert, a new education focused project he champions called EVEN, plus we forecast our inevitable return to work based on recent developments.
-
Kevin Antunes' work as a musical director and designer transcends the scope of instruments and musicians, building immersive sonic experiences for audiences. A 30+ year industry veteran having worked on Michael Jackson's Cirque du Soleil productions, as well as tours with Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and countless others, Kevin offers a unique perspective on live performances. In our episode we discuss methods for taking advantage of the strengths of your team, what it's like curating musical legacies, and pathways for students to take to prepare for joining the industry.
-
Michael Strickland is a fixture in the entertainment industry, as both the founder of Bandit Lites and now the leading advocate for the live events industry on Capitol Hill. As the gravity of the pandemic set in, Strickland began talking with local and national politicians to develop relief efforts, and has been a driving force behind the RESTART Act among other initiatives. In today's episode we discuss his lobbying efforts, his forecast on the business in the coming months, and the philosophy that drives him as both a business owner and the voice of live entertainment in politics.
-
In the latest episode of Hustle Like U Broke, the hosts talk with Shaun Clair, of Clair Global, and Sean Sturge of Eighth Day Sound, about the recent acquisition. Shaun Clair and Sean Sturge operate as VP of Sales and Global Sales Manager for their respective companies. During the discussion they talk about the fulfilling nature of audio careers, the way the merged company is positioning to not only get through the shutdown but emerge stronger, and the new globally-localized model that is going to power the future of the audio industry.
-
After a brief hiatus, we're glad to be back with rock star festival director, Emily May Ockenden. Emily handles dual roles as the Director of Production for BWG Live and the Director of Operations for WYH Live. Raised in Australia, Emily got her start with Future Music Group in Sydney as a receptionist. She found her break when 3-months in, the festival coordinator left the company just weeks before the Future Music Festival (a mammoth tour consisting of 13 festivals and 40 sideshows packed into 3 weeks). She returned from her stint as festival coordinator and moved into handling tour logistics for the likes of The Stone Rose, The Prodigy, and Drake. After six years of touring Australasia as the National Touring Coordinator & Head of Artist Relations for FMG, Emily moved to the US, transitioning from logistics and tour management to site development and production design. She recently held the role of Festival Director for Something in the Water Festival, and since the shutdown has stayed active working on virtual events and has expanded her already impressive repertoire of skills to include COVID compliance.
-
Chris Gratton is a roadies' roadie. A live event production mogul, Gratton has been a tour director, tour producer, designer, production manager, and every job in between. A student of the school of hard knocks, Gratton's passion for music and theater came at an early age, fueled by a similarly inclined family, and has built that passion into a career spanning more than three decades. He's worked with Justin Bieber, Kanye, Janet Jackson, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Ariana Grande, and countless others. What sets Chris Gratton apart from many in the industry, are his efforts to build new institutions to support the concert techs he relies on. A member of the board of directors for The Roadie Clinic, an organizer behind #RedAlertRESTART, and a driving force behind upcoming fundraisers for the music industry, Gratton has made it clear that he wants the industry to do better and will put in the work to make sure it does. In our discussion with Chris we talk about how he has personally defined a healthy work-life balance, tour standards implemented on the newest Bieber dates that may permanently raise the bar for crew care, and the need to blow up the status quo in the resurgence of the music industry.
-
Co-Founded by Lance “K.C.” Jackson and William “Bill” Reeves in 2009, Roadies Of Color United was started as a social network to represent, introduce, and unite those in concert touring and entertainment services that were not being represented in the major industry publications and associations. Like those before them, K.C. and Bill made it a priority to create new opportunities for PoC in the music industry, providing resources and education to develop technical skills and business acumen for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since its founding, Roadies of Color United has grown to nearly 1100 members, and will soon release a database of verified professional touring staff and a list of black owned music production service providers. In our discussion with K.C. and Bill we talk about the impediments that still exist in the industry, the road that led to where we are now, and the pathway forward.
-
Teri Lynn started her career at Loud Records, overseeing day-to-day operations for the budding careers of the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and more. By 1999, the transition to digital music was well under way, and Teri Lynn was working for Quincy Jones Music Publishing. Realizing that the label life was not where she wanted to be, Teri Lynn pivoted and struck out on the road. Since then, she has worked with Usher, The B-52s, Solange Knowles, Big Sean, Nicole Scherzinger, and many more. In our discussion with Teri, we talk about the transition from label to road, the nuts and bolts about the work a TM does, and the importance of mentoring the next generation.
-
Rickey Minor is an Emmy Award winning Music Director, Composer, and Producer. Throughout his storied career, Rickey has worked with some of the biggest talent in the world, including Beyonce, Usher, Adele, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Khalid, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, and countless more. Complementing his profound musical resume, is an equally impressive list of television credits that includes The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, American Idol, The Kennedy Center Honors, The American Music Awards, The Super Bowl, The Grammys, The Emmys, and The Oscars. In our discussion with Rickey, we talk about the lessons he's learned about the business, the importance of building a strong team around you, ways to get out of your own way, and we include some of our first fan questions.
- Show more
