A Touch of California and France in Austin

Sydney Wayser recently moved to L.A. This is where she grew up but she has developed the vast majority of her professional career in New York and France, so the laid back vibe and warm weather of Southern California has definitely brought about change.

This change has led to new friends, new experiences, new writing partners like Luke Prichard of The Kooks, new tours like the one she is currently on with The Hush Sound and Last Royals, new team partners, and some incredible new music that we are mixing as we speak.

Because Sydney has been writing, recording and re-adjusting to life in her initial homeland, we weren't going to bring her down to the chaos of SXSW this year. But the chaos pulled her in on tour and here we are.  Perfect timing as I caught recent shows in San Francisco at the Great American Music Hall as well as in Pomona, CA and Sydney has developed from my intern to a powerhouse on stage. It's so exciting and truly warms my heart to watch.

In case you missed her recent video premiere for "Come Aboard" directed by Abraham Vilchez-Moran, you can view it HERE thanks to our friends at MTV. Additionally they premiered the clip as the track was featured on the season finale of said network's Catfish. Thanks Allison, Kristin and SONGS! :).

Don't miss Sydney in Austin as she helps us close out SXSW 2013 after two epic performances yesterday.  She'll be performing at The Deli's Hangover Hideout @ J. Blacks today at 5:30 PM (710-B W.6th St.)  Yay!

B2B Preview @SXSW 2013

I have the absolute honor of both moderating and speaking on a SXSW panel this year.

I rarely seek out speaking engagements (believe it or not...) but took the initiative this year to put a panel together because of a fascinating topic I was witnessing in my every day work. Legends like Ringo Starr (a real live Beatle!) were on Twitter because of forward thinking team members such as the incredibly inspiring Elizabeth Fruend from Beautiful Day Media. Artists like Urge Overkill, who had toured with Nirvana at the height of Nevermind in the 90's were now self-releasing, maintaining ownership of their masters for the first time in their careers. Labels like ABKCO are strategizing the releases of not only active artists on their roster such as Eric Burdon, but are figuring out how to market The Rolling Stones' material to an entirely new generation. Meanwhile artists like Greta Morgan of The Hush Sound and Gold Motel have grown up with their fans online over the past decade watching them evolve from Myspace to Facebook to Twitter to Tumblr and turn into real deal adults from awkward teenagers before her very eyes.

Thus, we will be highlighting what is working for artists in their 20's to artists in their 70's in the modern music industry on Legends and Digital Natives on Music Industry 2.0

Come by and join us in Room 10C at the Austin Convention Center (500 E. Caesar Chavez) at 3:30 on Friday.  Can't wait!

Shortly after, I'll be joining friends from Rhapsody on A River of Cash or Up The Creek?  a.k.a. this panel is about streaming, which in short, I am pro because our industry has FINALLY legalized music in a way that makes sense for the public and I'm happy to remind everyone that our content is competing with free.

I am bummed I had to miss our Comedy panels, but I'm sure W. Kamau Bell and Janine Brito were genius on Why Comedians Don't Give a Fuck if You're Offended and I'm equally bummed I had to miss the always amazing Kevin Avery on Make Your Brains Twerk, Blacks in Tech. Maybe next year I'll get to Austin in time for Interactive!

See you at the Austin Convention Center this Friday.

Much Love,
Emily xo

Readymade Austin

Last year we launched a label, publishing company and film division for and around all things Brendan Benson called Readymade.

Brendan is a critically beloved and fan adored solo artist, co-frontman of The Raconteurs, world-class producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, father, husband and more.

This year marks the debut of Readymade's first ever SXSW showcase. I think even Brendan was impressed when I reminded him today of who was on the lineup: the Godfather of his son: Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Nashville's finest: The Howlin' Brothers, our first signee: Young Hines, all the way from Ireland: The Lost Brothers, in addition to a special appearance by the legendary Eric Burdon (courtesy of ABKCO). Did I mention Brendan Benson is also playing?  Obviously we are really looking forward to Friday night :). Our inaugural show kicks off at 8 PM on Friday at The Stage on 6th (508 E. 6th St.).

If for some reason you are in Austin and can't make our super awesome showcase for some reason, the Readymade artists are ALL OVER Austin.  The entire schedule can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/events/516230685095879/

Additionally, Brendan is playing special sets at the Paste Magazine party tomorrow at 2:30 PM also at The Stage on 6th (508 E. 6th St.) as well as a private party for D'addario at a mansion a bit outside of the city. Hit me via any form of communication other than Facebook message for the mansion show if you'd like to come as we have a handful of select guest spots.

Brendan will be previewing his 2013 material that we have been trickling out a song a month leading into a vinyl release for Black Friday.  Can't wait to hear these songs live and see who decides to sit-in with each other (a girl can dream) at the Readymade showcase....

Hooray!

Much Love,
Em Wizzle xo

A Mid-20's Reunion

[Then]

Don't call it a comeback, but The Hush Sound are about to release their first new material in over 5 years, much to their fans' delight.

I am so excited and honored to be working with Bob, Greta, Chris and Darren as they re-enter the music industry completely on their own terms.

I met The Hush Sound in 2006 when they were touring with The Dresden Dolls. Greta would come and knock on our bus door as our we tried to keep healthy on the road and she was welcome to join our "work parties" to catch up on her blog posts and songwriting. It didn't take long to fall in love with the band's live performances and Greta and I quickly bonded over a mutual love of Imogen Heap who I had recently tour managed and ultimately is how I met my best friend and now Readymade Records product manager, Laura Keating.

We'll be rolling out lots of exciting things in The Hush Sound's world over the next few weeks, months and hopefully beyond and although I can't spill all of the beans I can tell you to get excited about their new music. It is always fun to watch an artist or artists collectively evolve musically, which in The Hush Sound's case is extra awesome as what was not to love about the indie pop they crafted as teenagers into their college-age years?

Wise beyond their years now in their mid-twenties yet celebrating a 10th anniversary of their band, I can't wait for you all to see The Hush Sound this weekend @SXSW. I was spent some time with the band on the road in California last weekend as they make their way to Austin and they are ON FIRE! And the new songs are sick. The band's full schedule can be found HERE as they roll into Austin on Friday and Saturday smack in the middle of a tour with Sydney Wayser. Special thanks to Bearded Wonder Drew Potenza for holding it down on the road! What would we do without our beloved tour managers?

[Now]

Photo via http://instagram.com/talkingincircles

Much Love,
Em Wizzle xo

What I'm Excited about 10 years after my 1st SXSW

I'm headed to my 9th SXSW in 10 years.  In 2004, the festival was gravy for asking The Dresden Dolls if I could tour manage them, despite not really knowing what I was doing other than selling Tshirts. I learned quickly and ended up tour managing the band for years.

That first SX was an exciting and eye-opening experience of fashion, music, friends, and laid out a clear vision of what I wanted to do moving forward.

I remember running into my Artist Management professor from Northeastern who had given me a B for missing class too often for swim meets. Now I run a management company and manage a swimmer.  As I say on tour, it always works out.

This year we have 33 music events, 6 comedy shows and 5 panels. I couldn't be more proud of not only the caliber of talent that we work with, but also the quality of people that embody our rosters and teams. Everyone is working hard for the greater good of their careers and making wonderful art for what is hopefully a long time to come.

I'm on a direct flight to Austin from NYC right now and in the past, mingling with industry folks on the flight was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Now I smile as I see Dave Kaplan from The Agency Group on this flight as well as Greg Johnson from SONGS who signed Sydney Wayser a few years ago at this point. Last year it was Angus Baskerville next to me on my connection and Rick Krim behind me, whom I'd only ever emailed until that flight and it was great to meet someone who I knew was a longtime Urge Overkill supporter.

Every day of SXSW 2013 I'm going to try and spotlight something I'm looking forward to this year. We'll see how it goes, but the flight to Austin is such a great reminder of how SXSW is the epicenter for our industry to both hang with and meet new people to forge new relationships for our artists and beyond.

Just a glance of my color-coded schedule for tomorrow is a taste of a variety of experiences to be had at SXSW Music. (In my ideal world, I'd come down for Interactive as well, but we're always so busy preparing for the music portion, I don't see it happening unless they are the same week.) Thus, I'll be delving into indie label meetings at 9 AM tomorrow and will attempt to do a yoga class before hand (!). Various tech demos follow before afternoon party sets by Readymade artists The Howlin Brothers (2 PM @ Dogwood: 715 W. 6th St for Conqueroo/Guitartown) and Cory Chisel (1:15 PM @ Cedar Street Courtyard: 208 W. 4th St).  I'm looking forward to Spotify and Aquarium Drunkard's shows tomorrow before The Howlin Brothers play again at 10 PM @ Saxon Pub (1320 S. Lamar Blvd.) for Hill Country Live.

So what have I learned since my first SXSW 10 years ago? I've learned to put Emergen-C in my water on the plane as opposed to the jack and coke the guy next to me is drinking. I've learned how to get a decent hotel room. I've finally remembered to bring sunscreen, which Steve Ferguson is also welcome to. I've learned to rent a bike from Barton Springs Bicycles for $20 a day (they pick up and drop off with a helmet and lock at your lodging!) to get to shows on time and get some exercise. I've learned how to write and post a live blog from a plane. And I've learned to live in the moment. I've made my plan, and now I will enjoy my plan; not getting stressed if things don't go perfectly and taking a moment to delight in the unexpected.

Looking forward to what SXSW 2013 will bring :) xo