Lessons Olivia Management Taught Me

BY: LAUREN DEGEN 

All good things must come to an end; or so they say. This semester interning at Olivia Management has flown by, but the lessons I learned in this short time have been invaluable. This blog is all about the 5 greatest lessons I learned throughout this semester. 

  1. It's all about the people you are surrounded by. A team is only strong as its weakest link. There are many times that you will find yourself in this place, but use the people around you to uplift and encourage you. The women and man (thanks for putting up with us Josh) at Olivia Management were some of the most positive people I know. They constantly pushed me to be the best version of myself and to show up each day ready to work. Their passion and drive is contagious. Working around such uplifting people can make a job joyful, fun, and worth every bit of hard work. 
  2. Making mistakes is apart of life, own up to them. Throughout my internship, there were multiple times when I made mistakes. Some were bigger than others but if I learned one thing from this, it’s that everyone truly does make mistakes. However, it’s all about how it’s handled in the aftermath. Owning up to my mistakes didn’t show my weakness, but instead showed my willingness to grow and learn so that in the future I could do better. This lesson taught me humility, grace, and how to keep persevering even when I stumble. 
  3. Know your strengths and work every day to develop your weaknesses. Upon starting my internship with Olivia Management, my wonderful bosses asked me what my interests were and what type of tasks I would like to work on. After I mentioned having interest in graphic design, I had the opportunity to create a lot of tour posters, marketing visuals, etc. Making these graphics was such a fun experience for me because I got to express some personal creativity while also working within the vision of our artists. It stretched my strengths but also helped me to develop my weaknesses. It may have been challenging at times, but rewarding when I saw my visual designs posted on socials and websites.
  4. No matter how small an idea may seem, it has the ability to make a huge impact. Erin and Maggie have created a work environment that fosters creativity, freethinking, and the willingness to think outside the box to implement new ideas. When we sat in the office for our Monday staff meetings, we often had brainstorming sessions and thoughtful conversation. No idea was a bad idea, every opinion was welcome, and we used each other’s creative minds to come up with the best solutions to any problems we were facing. Sometimes 5 brains are better than 1. 
  5. Work doesn’t feel like work if you are doing what you love. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be around music. To work in an industry that revolves around my passions has been so rewarding. It simply doesn’t feel like work because I am doing what I love. I enjoyed going into the office a few times each week because I was in an environment where everyone loved music and was just as passionate about the industry as I was.

I am truly going to miss Olivia Management, but I am so thankful for all that I have learned. I will surely use this knowledge in various positions moving forward, and I couldn’t have asked for a better first internship experience. 

#TBT to "I've Been Over this Before"

By Madeline Heiskell

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In 2016, John Paul White released his album , “Beulah," Recently, NWF Daily News wrote a piece about the album. The Secret Sisters were featured on the track "I've Been Over this Before." The article says, "'I’ve Been Over this Before' is the only collaborative track. It features The Secret Sisters, who White said he grew up near. This will satiate the cravings of those who hunger for the Civil Wars’ harmonies." To check out the full article, click below!

My Semester at Olivia Management

By: Josh Snyder

This semester, I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to intern at Olivia Management. Time has flown by, as I can't believe that I am sitting here writing my final blog post about my time with this special company. I have learned so much about marketing specifically in the music industry and how the industry works as a whole. I have learned skills during this internship that I will be able to carry with me no matter what career path I find myself going down. It is impossible to share everything that I have learned, so I will share my biggest takeaways from this experience.

1. Find something that I'm passionate about and go after it!

This is a saying that I have heard countless times in my life, but after interning at Olivia Management, this statement could not be more true. It is so evident that Erin has found her passion and I have so enjoyed being a small part of the amazing company she has created. Going forward, I want to make sure that I find myself doing something that I am passionate about because it is much more fun to be a part of something that I truly believe in.

2. Affirmations go a long way

Each week at our staff meetings, our team shared affirmations with each other to encourage one another and to celebrate the accomplishments that we made in the previous week. I believe that this practice should be applied to everyday life. Celebrate accomplishments no matter how big or small they may be. We should always find a reason to pick each other up, plus it's a small step in making the world a happier place.

3. Push your co-workers and allow them to push you back

This internship has exposed me to a variety of new things, one of which being these blog writings. It has been neat for me to see how my blogs have improved over the semester. I have been pushed to do things outside of my original comfort zone and I have only benefitted from it. No matter what role we find ourselves in throughout life, I think it is important to find somebody that will push you because it ends up bringing out your best. Maggie, thank you for trusting me with tasks that I had to just figure out!

Words can't begin to express my gratitude to Erin and Maggie for believing in me and trusting me to be a part of this company. Olivia Management works with top notch artists and it has been a privilege to work alongside them to promote their unique and beautiful work! 

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John Prine New Album: 'Tree of Forgiveness'

By: Josh Snyder

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John Prine is easily one of the most respected songwriters/artists in the Americana genre, let alone all of music combined. Since 1971, Prine has written hit after hit about daily life, current events, and of course, love. For the first time in 10 years, Prine has released a new album containing all original tracks. According to Rolling Stone magazine, the album titled 'Tree of Forgiveness' is "very good, frequently brilliant, with all the qualities that define Prine's music". The album features background vocals from other Americana stars such as Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell. While Prine's age shows in his vocals, one thing that helps set this album apart is Prine's brilliance of songwriting that is just as strong as it was when he started out back in 1971.

You can check out the rest of Rolling Stone's review here!

The 2018 Americana Honors & Awards!

By Madeline Heiskell

The 2018 Americana Honors & Awards are quickly approaching and we are so excited! Our Americana artists have created a lot of amazing music and have achieved some fantastic goals this past year! Our favorite duo, The Secret Sisters, just hit 1,000,000 streams of their hit single, "He's Fine" from their Grammy-nominated record, You Don't Own Me Anymore, released in June of last year. You can watch the video here:

Caitlin Canty, Olivia Management's emerging artist, just released her new record, Motel Bouquet on March 30th! You can get the album, which Rolling Stone calls "dreamy and daring" by clicking the button below, or you can listen below to my favorite track off the album, "Motel." 

 We are so proud of all our artists' accomplishments since last year's Awards, and look forward to this year's releases from Matthew Perryman Jones, Hush Kids and maybe more! 

Tomorrow, April 6th, is the last day to vote to nominate your favorite Americana artist for the 2018 Americana Honors & Awards. If you are an Americana Music Association Voting Member, don't forget to vote for your favorites!

#TBT I'm so in Love with You

This video never gets old. "I'm so in Love with You" was even on my Spotify list of Top 5 Most Played Songs of 2017. Rewatching today and getting excited for this summer when Jill opens for The Avett Brothers at Red Rocks on July 1st and Steel Stacks in Pennsylvania on August 17th!

"Save You"

BY: MADELINE HEISKELL

Before interning at Olivia Management, I had already been a fan of Matthew Perryman Jones. In high school, I would pick a station on Pandora and listen to the songs. Some of the music stuck out to me more than others. One song that I loved and played over and over was "Save You" by Matthew Perryman Jones. It had been a long time since I had heard it, but once I learned Matthew was one of Olivia Management's clients, I found a renewed love for the song. Today was the first time I watched the video, and also found the scene in "One Tree Hill" (A show I have watched many times growing up) that featured the song. I hope you all enjoy this amazing song as much as I do; a song that reminds me of where I've been, and how I got to where I am.

 

 

 

The Magic of Red Rocks Amphitheatre

By: Josh Snyder

There is no doubt that Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the most iconic music venues in the world, let alone in the United States. Red Rocks is a performance space constructed in a rock structure in Morrison, CO just outside of Denver. There truly isn't any other venue like it when it comes to the unique character that is Red Rocks and the breathtaking views that it has to offer. Other than the scenery, what makes Red Rocks so special? Former Director of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and author G. Brown had this to say, "God is a pretty good architect: A naturally formed amphitheatre for performers to look up at the crowd instead of out over the crowd. The pitch of the seating allows [a musician] to see everyone's faces, instead of just seeing a sea of heads. And that's a pretty spectacular thing for a performer". For artists that have played Red Rocks, one thing they can agree on is how great the acoustics are and how special it is to see 10,000 people singing back to them.

Our very own, Jill Andrews will be making her Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut this coming summer. On Sunday, July 1st, Jill will be opening up for The Avett Brothers at the famed venue. Jill is ecstatic and we at Olivia Management couldn't be more excited for her. We surely will look forward to hearing the countless stories of her sacred experience. Tickets for the show can be found here! Bring on summer!

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SXSW Week

By: Josh Snyder

The annual SXSW conference is being held this week in Austin, TX with the festivities wrapping up Sunday, March 18th. This multi-faceted event features conferences in the film, music and media industries, as well as festivals celebrating music, film, comedy, gaming, and interactive media. SXSW brings people together from all parts of the world and offers opportunities for networking, as well as the appreciation and support of all forms of art.

Last year, The Secret Sisters made their debut appearance at SXSW. During the event, the sisters participated in radio interviews as well as performed in various showcases. It was a very busy week (you can check out last year's blog recap here) for them as it led up to their record release that summer. One of the radio appearances the sisters made was with mvyradio, where they performed 'Mississippi' from their latest album You Don't Own Me Anymore. You can check out their performance below! 

Wishing we could be in Austin this week as spectators to witness the amazing Nashville talent being represented. Locals with Acme Radio Live are at SXSW this week curating the "Nashville House" event featuring local acts we love such as Forest Fire Gospel Choir, Marc Scibilia, Sun Seeker, Liza Anne, Megan Davies and Waker. Willie Nelsons' Luck Reunion is taking place this week just outside of Austin and the star studded show features Devon Gilfillian, Blank Range, Lilly Hiatt, Josh Ritter and of course Willie to name a few. From everybody at Olivia Management, we salute all the artists performing at both SXSW and Luck Reunion by wishing them the best of luck!

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Caitlin Canty: Record Release Tour

BY: LAUREN DEGEN

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This week, Caitlin Canty heads out to the West Coast on her first leg of the Motel Bouquet release tour. This leg of the tour includes four stops, beginning in Santa Monica, CA, and finishing in Seattle, WA, as she heads up the coast. Noam Pikelny will join her on all four dates, and Jeffrey Martin will join Caitlin in both Portland and Seattle. 

Caitlin Canty's new, highly-anticipated record, Motel Bouquet, will be available later this month, set to release on March 30th. Described by Rolling Stone as "Thoughtfully constructed alt-folk with just the right amount of twang", we are so excited here at Olivia Management for everyone to hear the new music. 

You can still preorder the record and purchase other exclusive merchandise items today. Visit the link below to access Caitlin Canty's PledgeMusic page so you can experience first hand the record which The Bluegrass Situation compares to "being taken for a cinematic ride."

Matthew Perryman Jones #TBT

By: Josh Snyder

If you are a Matthew Perryman Jones fan, then you are likely aware that Matthew is finishing up his fifth studio album, slated to be released this year. The album is bound to feature new hits that fans will surely fall in love with! You can pre-order the new album here.

In anticipating the excitement of this upcoming project, I came across a video of Matthew performing "Waking Up the Dead" at Smoakstack Studios in Nashville. This performance showcases the vocal ability that Matthew possesses and that is sure to carry over to this new album! Check out the performance below:

Consulting Client Spotlight

As some of you may know, we have an increasing list of awesome and dedicated consulting clients that are constantly seeking out the best ways to grow themselves and share their music. We're going to highlight a few that have been kicking it into high gear lately - check them out!
 

Kate Kelly

With a flair for jazz styles and a voice that's smooth like honey, Kate Kelly's album is one that we can hardly wait for. We'll have to, though, as her Indiegogo campaign is now underway; she's offering special packages for fans to support her first full-length album. Kind as can be, Kate Kelly spends most of her time at the hospital where she works as a music therapist when she's not writing or recording. Read up on her journey here and check out her Indiegogo page below! 

Danielle Cormier

Danielle has been hard at work on her first full-length album Fire and Ice, and finally the anticipation is over! Her record was released this past Friday! We're proud of Danielle's determination and work ethic, and really dig her strong vocals - we think you will too. If you like pop, folk and singer songwriters, check out Danielle's new music here. Fun fact: She also got Peter Frampton involved in the record - he performs on the single "Can't Quit You." Watch Danielle's music video for the title track of her new album below. 

Michelle LeBlanc

Whenever Michelle walks into our office, I am instantly happier. She has an infectiously bright personality, and is a lady Jack of all trades (Jackie of all trades?), even encompassing her love for Tarot Card reading into her recently completed Kickstarter campaign. She released her new EP, A Man Like You, on March 2nd, and we're loving it. Read more about her lovely gypsy soul here and check out the album below. 

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Merritt Gibson

With two singles already out, and a release date set for March 30th, Merritt's debut album, Eyes On Us, is just around the corner. Just a freshman in college, Merritt is already killing the game when it comes to learning what it takes to have a career in music. Not only does Merritt have drive, but she also has a realistic sense of the work ethic necessary to accomplish her dreams, but don't take my word for it, check out what East of 8th has to say in their article about Merritt's single "Eyes On Us" here. 

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The Secret Sisters: Sold Out Shows

BY: LAUREN DEGEN

From now until the end of summer, The Secret Sisters will be touring both domestically and internationally to promote their Grammy-nominated record, headlining their own shows and opening for acts such as Brandi Carlile. Between their beautiful harmonies and intriguing sound, the duo continues to impress music lovers everywhere and sell out venues. In the past couple weeks, The Secret Sisters have sold out 9 shows (both at home and abroad), and as a result they have even added a second show in some cities. We are so proud of their accomplishments and continue to celebrate the amazing music The Secret Sisters create and the artistry that they exude. Click the link below to purchase tickets for a show in your area before it sells out!

The Secret Sisters will be touring throughout 2018 in support of their Grammy-nominated record, You Don't Own Me Anymore. 

The Secret Sisters will be touring throughout 2018 in support of their Grammy-nominated record, You Don't Own Me Anymore. 

Brandi Carlile New Album: 'By The Way, I Forgive You'

By: Josh Snyder

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It is no secret that Brandi Carlile is one of the best American story tellers of our generation, as she has written hit after hit and has continuously touched the hearts of her sprawling fan base. Brandi has been an inspiration to many artists, including our own group, The Secret Sisters. Brandi produced The Secret Sisters' latest Grammy Nominated Album, You Don't Own Me Anymore, and this coming summer the Sisters are headed out for a string of tour dates with Brandi.

On February 16, 2018, Brandi released her sixth studio album, By The Way, I Forgive You. This new album is a call to action, featuring tracks of empowerment and motivation. The Secret Sisters added background vocals to "Sugartooth", a song that tackles the concept of addiction. There are a lot of songs of hardships and struggles, but underneath all of the pain, hope shines through helping all of us acknowledge the optimism that life has to offer. The album is sure to remain impactful for many years to come. Check out NPR's review of the album here. Watch Brandi's performance of "Sugartooth" at historic Studio A in Nashville below and be sure to keep an eye out for two talented ladies in the background!