Artist Management

One thing that is crucial in the music business is the ability to manage the artist and or music. Although many bands and artist attempt to do it themselves, it is naive to think unless you are doing it well you are going to be successful in this business. Artisthouse Music provides a wealth of resources and information to the student of the music business. Here are some key points I took from my personal study.

Recently I viewed a video interview of David Purcell on the Artisthouse Music website. David Purcell teaches in the Music Business program at New York University.  Purcell shares a lot of wisdom and experience concerning the industry. He speaks of probably almost everything that pertains to the music business and management. Some of those topics include:

1.     Management Ethics

2.     Copyright Law

3.     Management Conduct

4.     Getting Started with Artist Management

Just to name a few. However I want to home in on a few key points that Purcell shares which is foundational in artist management success, and can help the artist know what to look for in a manager.

Passion

Most successful business professionals and entrepreneurs will suggest that the beginning of success starts with passion. Purcell confirms that as to also be true in the music business. He says that one of the most important things that an artist manager needs is passion. His advice is to pick a genre of music that you are passionate about and artist that you can be passionate about as well. Knowledge and skills make us more efficient. Passion gives us the drive needed to follow through. For all the artists out there, remember that the manager works for you. He or she should be at least as passionate about the style of music as you are and passionate about you. A manager with experience and connections can go a long way as well, but a manager who loves what you do and how you do it means that they will work for you harder.

Education

Although it’s not a requirement, it is suggested that business courses can go along way to helping the artist manager. Purcell mentions that a manager needs to have a wide knowledge about the music industry. He should be a sort of “jack of all trades.” I would narrow that down a little more and say that the manager should be a “music business jack of all trades.” In other words, be a “jack that specializes in the music business.

We all don’t have the luxury of going back to school to study business or music but that’s not an excuse. We have the Internet, books and the ability to network. The fact is that if we want knowledge, it’s out there; we just have to give it some effort. Learning is continual and key in any business. We must be willing to learn as much as we can about every aspect of the business as possible so that we can be a true asset to the artist we manage.

Check out all the videos for David Purcell on Artisthouse Music here.

Check out other topics on Artisthouse Music here.