However, sometimes finding interns who get that the music industry isn't all clownery at shows and festivals can be challenging. In addition, passion and musical knowledge is key. I had an intern once ask me who I was listening to when the answer was Radiohead. Not a good sign.
And thus, in the Spring of 2007, I was overloaded as usual and asked Miss Merch, who happened to be Madison House's office manager at the time, if we could find someone to help. Laura already had lined up an interview with a girl named Sydney Wayser, who was recommended by our previous and awesome intern, Lydia Berg-Hammond. A few days later, when I walked by Laura interviewing Sydney I said "Is she hired yet? We have work to do!" as I was confident of her abilities based on Lydia's recommendation.
Sydney started interning for me shortly after and the beautiful 19 year old French-American handed me her CD, as she was a musician. I listen to tons of new music every day and Sydney's album stood out from the get go. Her talent and spirit shined through and she began to ask my advice on how to start her new life and career in New York as she had just moved to the city from Boston.
We became fast friends and Sydney was a massive help on the management work I was doing with The Dresden Dolls, Fiery Furnaces, and Jonah Smith at the time. She dove in and really learned what it was like on the management side to put together plans, tours, online marketing strategies and the importance of connecting with fans.
Fast forward to two years later and I had started a management company with Keri Smith Esguia, yay! Sydney had by then released her second album on her own and was beginning to tour nationally. We officially started working together last summer and it's been bliss ever since.
Beyond Sydney's obvious talent and immense creativity, she is truly a pleasure to work with day in and day out. But not just due to her sparkling personality. Sydney is one of the hardest working people I have ever met in any field. The girl is constantly writing, recording, rehearsing, learning new instruments, collaborating with new people, excited to try new technologies and will play music to anyone in almost any situation. We have thrown her on the road and the work is paying off, with international touring, a growing fanbase, and musical chops that blow my mind every time I get to see her play.
Last month, Sydney accompanied me and her attorney, Heidy Vaquerano from LaPolt Law to MIDEM in the South of France. I think that such a prestigious music industry conference could be intimidating for many artists. There's A LOT of biz being discussed and no matter how involved with one's own career an artist is, it can be overwhelming. We also shared a house with other entrepreneurs and folks from music start-ups. Despite spending her free time warming up her voice and practicing ukulele as opposed to being glued to Apple Mail, she fit right in. ie
We dove into the conference and Sydney took no time to take hold of her career. Here is Syd discussing how PRS works in France with SESAM while Heidy looks on. Thank god my artist was there to translate for me! :)
After a very successful MIDEM for Sydney and in general, we took the train North to Paris for Sydney's debut show in Paris at La Maroquinerie with THAO and Basia Bulat as a preview for Le festival Les Femmes S'en Mêlent. Watching Sydney perform in Paris in front of her fans, large French family, industry, press, and bloggers was utter joy. It was amazing to see how far she'd come from shyly handing me her CD as an intern.
Sydney will return to France in April and be making her debut in Germany as well. She has been writing for her third album and I'm thrilled to be working with her from the beginning of the creative process on her new project. And although NYC, LA, France, and Germany are rad; if you can't make it to any of those places, catch her on her bi-monthly show via Justin.TV. But what's the best thing you can do to help Sydney in her growing career? Sign up for her E-mail list, and encourage others to do the same.
Love you,
Emily White
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