Making Golden Designs

by Mackenzie Fey

Have you ever heard of the Golden Ratio? No?! No fret, me neither! Until quite recently, that is. The Golden Ratio, without getting into the severe math complexities of its origin, is basically a template to follow when designing any sort of visual graphic or image! It’s an easy way to organize information and images that is pleasing to the eye of viewers. Of course this doesn’t mean you have to follow this! It’s just a fun, clean, way of starting to thinking about your designs intentionally!

For those of us in the music business, sometimes you just don’t have the budget for outsourcing designs. This method can be used in tour poster design, website curation, promotional images, and much more all on your own computer.

Try it out and see what you can create with it! We even used it on our blog image template. How golden is that design?!

New Music for Your Weekend

New Music? Yes please.

Happy Friday, fellow music fanatics! Have you heard? Two great artists of ours have released some music today. Check it out!

Jill Andrews, “The Kids Are Growing Up”

This song discloses every feeling about life and the speed at which is passes that many have but don’t quite know how to put it into words. Jill has so eloquently done this for us. Take a listen!

Derek Webb, “TARGETS” full album

The long-awaited album is finally here. From songs like title track “Targets” and “Plain Sight” will open your mind to reflecting on old ideas and embracing the new. Prepare yourself for serious head bobbing.

New Spotify Feature: Songwriter Pages!

By Emma Martin

I have always been a huge fan and supporter of songwriters. They are able to put our thoughts, emotions, and experiences into a three-minute moments. If we didn’t have songwriters, where would we be? Think of your favorite song: Do you know who all wrote the song? Most people don’t know the creators behind their favorite melodies and lyrics. Well, it’s time for that to change!

After reading an article by Variety on February 12th, Variety talks about Spotify adding an expansion on their liner notes! Finally. The New Spotify feature allows users to view the songwriters on the song they are listening to. When the user looks up the credits on the song, it takes them a songwriter page (similar to an artist page) and they are able to see each song that writer as written or co-written. How exciting is that? I believe this is a great way for users to know who the creators are behind the songs they love. Songwriters are such a huge part of the music industry and they can sometimes get overlooked. This is also a great way to discover new music! 

Spotify’s efforts to recognize songwriters and creators have increased over the years and this new feature is a great way to showcase the talent that makes up the music industry. It’s important to be supportive of songwriters and give them credit where it’s due! Read the article linked below to get the whole scoop.

Recapping this Valentine's Day

In case you missed all the happening’s on this great day and holiday here at our artist management company, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got it written all out for ya. Take a look, take a gander, it’s all right here. From music videos to new singles to show announces to free Valentine’s, we’ve got it all.

Derek Webb’s New Singles

Today, Derek released not one, but TWO singles today. “Valentine’s Day” and “The Safest Place” are sure to make any day a great one.

Ruthie Collins’ New Single and Music Video

Ruthie released an enchanting new single, “Cold Comfort” in anticipation for her upcoming record. Along with this single, we got just lucky enough to receive a music video. Haunting and warm, check out the single and music video below. Be sure to look at The Boot’s premiere of the music video for “Cold Comfort” and take a look at American Songwriter’s article on the single.

Hush Kid’s Free Downloadable Valentines

Check out Hush Kid’s free downloadable valentines to gift any valentine in your life. It’s a good way to spread some love the way we know how: through song. Check it, give it, love it. We know we do!

Songs That I love by Olivia Management Artists

Listening to all of the great artists at Olivia Management has been a really exciting part of interning here. The artists create music that tells stories and have such rich aspects to their melodies and lyrics. They grab your attention and hold it to where I find myself turning on the rarely used repeat button. We live in a world today where access to great music has never been easier. Thanks to this interning for this little artist management company, I get first-hand access. And so do you! Here’s a condensed list of some of my favorite songs by the artists at Olivia Management! I even threw in a few music and lyric videos for fun because who doesn’t love a good visual aspect?

Click here to stream and download "Joshua Tree": https://smarturl.it/RCJoshuaTree

Jill Andrews

• “River Swimming”

• “A way to you again”

• “Free”

Smooth Hound Smith

• “Backslide”

•  “Used to Be Your Man”

in as far as what you've been through has made you who you are today, it's worth every dime & tear. take hope, friends. -derek The third single from Derek We...

Ruthie Collins

•  “Getting Out There” 

• “Joshua Tree”

•  “Dang Dallas”

Derek Webb

• “Wedding Dress” 

• “Good Grief”

Lydia Luce

• “Linens”

• “Love You True”

Hush Kids

• “Make these Colors Real”

A Playlist of Music I'm Digging

by Emma Martin

If you ever see me walking around Nashville or on-campus, my headphones are most likely in and on. Sometimes I just drive around and listen to music because I love it so much. Listening to multiple genres which is fun because one minute I could be listening to a slow acoustic song by Jill Andrews and the next song up is “Like a Girl” by Lizzo. There is an infinite variety of music out there. Check out this playlist I made of some of the songs that I just can’t stop listening to. 

Great Songs from Artists at Olivia Management 

Jill Andrews - “River Swimming”

Smooth Hound Smith - “Second Hand News”

Ruthie Collins - “Dang Dallas”

Derek Webb - “Wedding Dress”

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How Do You Find New Music?

By Connor Kozlecar

If you’re anything like me, you listen to a song or album on repeat until you literally can’t stand to hear it again and are always craving something new to grace your ears. In the ever-changing vast world of consumable music, how do you sort through the MILLIONS of songs and albums to find something that appeals to your specific taste? As consumers, we are blessed with an overwhelming amount of music to choose from. Many of the major platforms used around the world are equipped with algorithms to help out with just that. I’m going to help walk you through a few of the platforms that I use and the processes that I have to find new music to listen to. Check it out!

1. Spotify

   Personally, my streaming service of choice is Spotify. One of the primary reasons that I love Spotify so much is the ease of being introduced to new music. First and foremost, they create a playlist every week literally called “New Music Friday.” This playlist introduces you to newly-released music from all different genres and allows you to explore that with the tap of a finger. Additionally, Spotify has a very effective algorithm that collects data from all of the tracks and albums that you listen to on a daily basis. It then uses that data in a few different ways to expose each listener to fresh music: every Monday, Spotify will take the data that it has collected from your listening tendencies, and it will create a playlist for you called “Discover Weekly.” Discover Weekly compiles a list of around 30 songs that are similar in style to what you have listened to in the last week and tries to nail down the next song that you could be looking for. Every Monday for me is a tradition. An opportunity to take advantage of this playlist and find new tracks and artists while having my morning coffee. On the same day, a similar algorithm will take that data and do a mass search through all of the artists that you have liked or saved in the past and compile a playlist of any new releases from artists that you enjoy or are similar.

   Spotify’s search engine is also incredibly helpful when wanting to find new music. Similar to other platforms, you can browse through genres by scrolling through the browse option in the app. What’s great about manually searching instead, is the ability to search for things such as what kind of mood you’re in or a specific (maybe less familiar) genre and having a plethora of company created playlists to choose from. An example being, if you searched for “rainy day” (your mood) or “Americana” (a genre), hundreds of songs, hand-picked by Spotify will conveniently be organized into sub-playlists for you to choose from however you please!

2. Youtube

   When it comes to visual stimulation alongside music, Youtube is the place to be. With literally millions of videos on YouTube being music forward, the opportunities here are endless. Similar to Spotify, YouTube uses an algorithm to track your views and suggest a video for you to watch next that you most likely will enjoy. One of my favorite tactics on the site to find new music is to subscribe to channels that ask artists to come in and perform acoustic or alternate versions of their own songs, and or covers of artists they look up to. A few of these channels that are my favorite include: Jam in the Van, AudioTree, NPR Music, Colors, and Triple J (in no particular order.) Youtube is endless music fun, for any style.

3. Just listening!

   Living in Nashville has gifted me the most accessibility to live music that I’ve ever had in my life. In my opinion, there is no better way to find new music than going to local events or just noticing the music that is always playing around us. These days, in nearly every restaurant or store, you’ll hear music playing in the background. I’ve found that taking a moment to stop and listen has introduced me to some of the best songs and genres using tools like Shazam. When I first moved to Nashville a few years ago, I found the first Americana artist that I truly enjoyed using Shazam on my phone after just hearing a short snippet in a restaurant I was eating in. With tools like Bandsintown we also have access to lists of new artists and concerts coming to our very own cities that otherwise may have slipped by without knowing. Take advantage of your city and enjoy the music that’s around you!

HOWEVER you do it, we all know the joy of finding our new favorite song, and I hope some of these suggestions and tips on how I typically do it help you find your new favorites!!

How I Balance School and an Internship

by Emma Martin

The new year motto is always “New year, New Me!” but we all know that’s easier said than done. Going into the year of everything new: a new decade, new classes, a new internship, I had to find the balance between being a full-time student and having an internship for the first time. It has been such a rewarding experience but that does not go without struggling a little. Here are a few practices that have helped me navigate my new normal and some that I need to work on!

Time Management 

I am learning more about myself each day as I juggle my classes and interning at an artist management company. This is the first time I am having to focus my energy on two completely different settings that are equally important to me. I manage my time by being 100% present while I am interning and only thinking about what I can do to help Olivia Management. While I am in my classes, I try my best to focus and learn as much as I can. When I am not in class or at the office, I am studying and putting my energy towards school and extra-curricular activities. 

Organization 

Staying organized really helps me when I have a lot on my plate. I write everything down in my calendar and I list my tasks that I need to get done in order of priority. This is something that I have always done as a student and now I am doing it for my internship. It helps me organize my thoughts, so I don’t feel so overwhelmed. For me, it’s the best feeling in the world to be able to cross things off of a list. I also take some time every weekend to sit down and plan out my week. I usually look at what assignments are due that week and schedule time for when I am going to get assignments done. 

Struggles

Of course, I try my best to be on top of everything and accomplish my goals, but it hasn’t been easy. Something that has been difficult for me is knowing when to transition from being in the college environment to being in the workplace and vice versa. I am only interning at the office two days a week, but I find it hard to switch my mind back to student mode when I walk out the door to go back to campus. I am still figuring out how to dedicate myself 100% to school and Olivia Management and still be able to succeed at both.

The Support 

Everyone at Olivia Management has been extremely supportive and kind. They’ve helped me feel like I am more than capable of succeeding at being a good intern and student. My friends have also been a huge help in reminding me that I can still have fun and make mistakes as both a college student and an intern. 

Top 5 Indie Venues in Nashville

By Jackie Minton

As a new Nashville native, many of my friends ask me where they can hear good live music. Now if you’re looking for a night of classic country covers, Broadway is your best bet. But off Music Row, where do the locals go to get their music fill? Now that you are here, search no further. I have compiled a list of the best independent music venues in the Nashville and I am ready to get you listening like a local. 

1. The Basement East

Located at 917 Woodland St., The Basement East has been home to a number of budding and established acts. Noted for hosting quirky shows such as singer-songwriter Charlie Worsham’s annual John Mayerathon and world-renowned acts such as Avi Kapplan, former member of the Pentatonix, a bad night at Basement East is slim to none. Last time I went to a show here, I turned around to see Leon Bridges listening in the midst of the crowd behind me. If that isn’t enough of a seal of approval— I don’t know what is. 

Derek Webb plays to an attentive crowd at The Basement East. Photo by Maggie Adams

2. Mercy Lounge

This cozy venue features acts from across the board of the independent music. This upstairs brick hall is surprisingly cozy when filled with strangers. The packed atmosphere is balanced by sweeping, silent fans hung above the crowd— making for a notably pleasing (and less sweaty) listening experience. May be TMI, but you’ll thank me later! Performers range from pop-rock to folk-americana, but the air is always filled with an excitement from the crowd. Pictured below, Nashville-based artist Jill Andrews performs as a part of the city’s annual Americana Fest. Jill is set to return to Mercy Lounge on April 2nd (4/2/20) to celebrate the release of her upcoming album Thirties. This is an anticipated night you won’t want to miss! (Get your tickets here!)

Jill Andrews performs for Nashville’s annual Americana Fest on Mercy’s Stage. Photo by Erin Anderson.

3. 3rd & Lindsley

The slogan of this warehouse is “Good music. Good food. Good friends.” Fittingly, 3rd & Lindsley hosts both artists and songwriters, featuring a breadth of the music local and traveling through music city. Ranging from a table-and-chairs listening room experience to a standing-room-only concert hall, this indie venue is versatile and compatible with all kinds of audiences. Shown below the folk-rock duo Smooth Hound Smith steals the stage of this prominent Nashville venue. 

Americana-Rock Band Smooth Hound Smith takes the stage at 3rd & Lindsley. Photo by Maggie Adams.

4. The 5 Spot

On the East side of Nashville, The 5 Spot occupies the cozy and cool corner of the city. They feature everything from throwback dance parties reminiscent of the 70s and rising country acts, such as Ruthie Collins. Their unexpected mix of shows blend well into the host of bars and restaurants popping all over East Nashville. This 21 & up club is noted for their relaxed vibes and spunky entertainment!

Ruthie Collins pulls her audience close during this intimate show at The 5 Spot. Photo by Madeline Heiskell.

5. The Bluebird Cafe

Known best for spotlighting artists like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift early in their careers, the Bluebird Cafe is often filled with listeners from all over the world. Even still, this landmark is a resting place for some of Nashville’s local jewels. It may be last in this list, but it is certainly not least! The venue’s popularity has only garnered with their common feature on the previous hit show Nashville and the late release of the documentary film, Bluebird. Nestled between Whole Foods and a Tuesday Morning, this whole in the wall is not one you want to miss. Pictured below the Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith performs at this neighborhood icon.

Indie Americana duo, Smooth Hound Smith performs below the neon bluebird. Photo by Madeline Heiskell.

New(ish) Songs on the Block: A Playlist

by Mackenzie Fey

If you’re like me, you tend to listen to the same three playlists with the same songs curated for any possible mood. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with this—it’s encouraged, actually. But sometimes it’s fun to get a little crazy and listen to songs we haven’t heard before. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of will power to go and seek music that you may find somewhat enjoyable (I know I can’t be alone in this). Lucky for you I’ve done the work necessary. All you have to do is press play!

Some newer Olivia Management playlist highlights:

• “Good Grief” by Derek Webb

• “Dang Dallas” by Ruthie Collins

• “Dog in a Manger” by Smooth Hound Smith

• “Back Together” by Jill Andrews

Some of my favorite new (for the most part) songs! Check it out!

Big News for Olivia Management!

We’re starting the new year off on many highs: New interns, Smooth Hound Smith kicking off their tour in Europe, Jill Andrews announcing her Thirities album and tour, Derek Webb's new Patreon opportunity, and so much more! But wait! There’s one we haven’t mentioned yet! As of recent, Olivia Management is proud, and oh so excited, to announce that we’ve started to represent musician and producer, Lucas Morton!

A little about Lucas:

Lucas is based right here in Nashville, TN. He’s an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist. As a man of many gifts, he also spends his time supporting artists on the road. If you’ve been listening to any recent songs our very own Jill Andrews has released, then you’ve heard him! Lucas co-produced her upcoming album Thirties, as well as played acoustic and electric guitar, piano, percussion, etc. Along with Jill, he’s spent his time producing great music for Jordy Searcy, Jillian Edwards, and more. Not only as a producer, Lucas supports artists on the road as a touring bassist, keyboardist, or auxiliary musician. The list is simply never-ending!

Welcome to the team, Lucas!

Spring Intern Introduction

Just last week, we had the honor and privilege of welcoming three new interns to the team here at Olivia Management! We can’t wait to watch them grow in all things artist management and music business. World, please meet Jackie Minton, Emma Martin, and Connor Kozelcar. We know you’ll love them just as much as we do!

Jackie Minton

Why did you choose to intern at Olivia Management? 

I met Olivia Management at an artist panel I went to over a year ago and was so stuck by their community focused approach to artist management, I applied to intern here as soon as I could! I am so thankful for this opportunity to learn how they do their work from the inside out.

What do you want to get out of this internship?

I hope to learn how to work on a variety of tasks, while also learning how to dream about the future. I want to improve my skills in seeing things to their end, while also working with a team.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

Oh, definitely the community. I also love all the variety of restaurants and coffee shops, but they are all a fruit of this city’s focus on encountering each other. When I moved here, I was amazed by the willingness of others to listen and share authentically about their experiences.

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.

As a songwriter, I enjoy most anything with a poetic lyric and melodic sensibility.  Some of my favorite artists include James Taylor, Ingrid Michaelson, Taylor Swift, Leif Vollebekk and Josh Garrels. If there is a guitar picking part or a cello, I’m sold.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would probably be almonds. I’m pretty sure I’m already halfway there.

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities? 

I enjoy eating dark chocolate, drinking hot tea, and reading philosophy. I would minor in all three, but sadly I only study the latter. I also do calligraphy on the side for fun!

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Emma Martin

Why did you choose to intern at Olivia Management?

I chose to intern at Olivia Management because I saw how passionate the company was in helping artists grow as much as possible both artistically and as people.

What do you want to get out of this internship?

During this internship I hope to gain more knowledge about touring and what kind of planning goes into sending artists on tour. I also am really interested in learning about the prep work right before album releases. In the future, I hope to work in the creative part of publishing or management.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

My favorite part about Nashville is how you can walk into almost any restaurant or coffee shop and hear live music. I also love the sense of community that Nashville has even though it’s such a big city.

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music!

Some artists and songwriters that I have been into lately are Emily Weisband, Madison Kozak, The Band CAMINO, Lizzo, Kelsea Ballerini and Dan + Shay. I love all different genres of music but my top genres are singer/songwriter and country.  

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would probably be pasta!

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities? 

I love to go hiking and camping! I also love listening to music and playing card/board games with my family and friends.

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Connor Kozelcar

Why did you choose to intern here?

Any internship opportunity is an opportunity worth taking in my opinion. When you are unable to find anything negative about past internship experiences and the reputation of a company you’re interested in, is in my opinion when you’ve hit the gold mine.

I chose to intern at Olivia Management because of the strong community that they promote and the clear message that when you’re devoting your time to their efforts, they’re devoting the same time right back to your experience. Since starting school at Belmont, I’ve had big hopes to find an internship that cares for their interns and cultivates the right atmosphere for growth. To me it just felt like Olivia management is doing exactly that.

What do you want to get out of this internship?

In a general statement, as humans we are all students, all the time. The whole goal of an internship is to learn right? With this being my first internship, I am excited to have the opportunity to work in an atmosphere with such hard-working individuals and a team aspect that promotes a strong sense of community. I am eager to learn, become proficient in this facet of our industry, and create the relationships that will help me succeed and confidently move forward with my career.

What is your favorite part about Nashville?

Aside from the music, The food options….. Wow. So much good food, so many cool little nooks and crannies in the city, and so many great genuine people that come out of the area. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to live and attend school here.

Favorite musicians, artists, genres, equipment, shows you’ve been to...tell us anything you love about music.

I’m a listener of almost all genres. A few of my favorite current artists include Allen Stone, Tom Misch, Theo Katzman, Joey Landreth, Chris Stapleton, Lawrence, Jordan Rakei, Marcus King Band, Stephen Day, The Dip, etc (I could go on forever). My all time favorite artists/musicians/bands include The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, The Beatles, Jack Johnson, and The Allman Brothers

I love everything about music, but what sticks out to me the most is the raw expression that the medium represents. Any single piece of music can tell you more stories about the person who wrote it than you can think up. I think that in the vast creative world that the music industry embodies, its infinity is the most fun part. Whether you’re listening or creating, the passion behind every piece of music tells a story that no other medium could. 

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Logical answer: Chicken - there are a million ways to prepare chicken and it never gets old. That's smart, right? The ~Just what i'm craving in this moment~ answer: Five Guys Fries

What do you love to do? Hobbies? Activities?

I love to sing! I am currently the Vice-President of a collegiate A Cappella group at Belmont University called The Beltones. When I’m not knee-deep in school work, singing my heart out with my friends, or working my other jobs, you can find me:

1. Stopping traffic to pull over and pet a dog

2. Playing far-too-competitive games of racquetball on Tuesdays

3. Browsing the internet for things that I would buy if I had the money to blow

My Favorite Jill Andrews Covers

by Mackenzie Fey

If you know me, you know that I am an absolute sucker when it comes to hearing my favorite songs covered by some of the many talented people in the world. I love knowing that other people love and appreciate the same music I do. Here I’ve found three amazing covers of some of my favorite Jill Andrews songs! Check them out!

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2019 All Wrapped Up

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on a few of the great things that have happened this year for Olivia Management and all of our great artists. From new songs to hitting the road near and far, they’ve done it all! Take a look for yourself below!

Jill Andrews

• 3 new singles: “Sorry Now”, “Forces”, and “The Party”

Derek Webb

• 2 new singles for upcoming album, TARGETS: “All of Me Is Here” and “Targets”

• Toured US for 10 year anniversary of Stockholm Syndrome

Hush Kids

• Recorded a OurVinyl Sessions - EP

• New single: “Make These Colors Real”

Ruthie Collins

• Two new singles: “Dang Dallas” and “Joshua Tree”

Smooth Hound Smith

• Toured across US in support of new album, “Dog in a Manger”

• New music video for title track, “Dog in a Manger”

Lydia Luce

• Toured all through Europe with Sam Outlaw and Sarah Walk

• Released “Azalea Strings - EP”

…and the list doesn’t end there! There’s so much that’s happened and there’s WAY MORE where that came from! Just wait until 2020, y’all.

I had to leave? Who said?

by Kailey Prall

I blinked and it became my last day at Olivia Management. It feels like just yesterday that I walked into my first Monday morning meeting, with people who now I consider some of my favorite people. I thought I would write a little blog about all the things that I have learned and picked up along the way of my favorite experience in college so far (hopefully this doesn’t turn into a novel…)

1. TIME MANAGEMENT

I decided it would be a fun idea to take 19 credits this semester. “Why would you do that Kailey?” Not sure, thought I would “get ahead”, but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. Throw a super amazing internship into the mix and boom you have yourself a pretty intense few months. That being said, I learned how to time manage like a BOSS. Something I have never been the strongest at, I like to go with the flow. But after the first month I found myself having to grow up, and grow up fast. I remember one day calling my brother and he said, “You need to learn what it feels like to be overwhelmed, and then you’ll grow”, and I did just that. I had THREE different forms of organization: computer calendars, notebooks and wall calendars. My grades were never better and I found myself soaking up every bit of knowledge in the office. I made myself a priority and really took the time to learn and become a better person! How cheesy is that? Also, set a million alarms on your phone and you’ll do great.

2. LISTEN

In this office, we all sit super close together and if you take the time to really listen and observe, you could learn some pretty cool things. Sync licensing? Heck yes! Reviewing contracts? Totally! Tour meeting? Of course! All the things that are super important and interesting. I learned so much from just listening to conversations had at shows or around the office.

3. ASK QUESTIONS

Something that can be scary is the fear of looking stupid. But I promise that is not a thing. Ask the questions you want to ask! Be curious! Asking questions shows that you care and that you are paying attention. Through this internship I grew to love the art of asking questions and learning absolutely everything about a person, topic or situation. And I also gained some serious knowledge that I will use for the rest of my career. 

4. “BE A GOOD HANG”

This is advice I got years ago, that to survive the music industry, “just be a good hang”. Go the extra mile, hang out with your co-workers, go to the artists shows and make the effort. This does not go unnoticed and it’s incredibly fun! Not everyone gets to say, “one of the artists I intern for is having a show at Americanafest and I’m going to go hang out and listen to amazing music”. Like, that’s really cool.

Well friends, those are just a few of the many things I learned at Olivia Management this fall. I will always be grateful to the friends I made and the confidence I gained during my time here. I owe a lot to the strong females who run this business, I can say without a doubt, they helped me become who I am today! Peace out! 

On the Road Again?

by Kennady Newsome

November is coming to an end and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While I’m excited to spend time with family, eat way too much food, and drain my bank account while shopping on Black Friday… I am even more excited for CHRISTMAS! I love the decorations, the movies, the weather, the holiday Starbucks drinks - and most importantly, the music! I’m known for spinning Loretta Lynn’s 1966 release of “Country Christmas” album on vinyl the entire month of December. However, with a five hour car ride through to Appalachian mountains to get to my hometown in eastern Kentucky before I can participate in all the holiday festivities, I have had to resort to Spotify playlists to keep me in the spirit during my road trips. I just can’t get on board with listening to old albums without the pops and clicks of a pressed record. So here you see, I have created a playlist full of modern-day versions of some Christmas classics and some Christmas originals by our artists at Olivia Management to share with you for your holiday travels.

I hope you enjoy and have a Happy Thanksgiving to you from all of us at OM!

Finding New Music

by Steven Metrejean

Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like the amount of music that’s being released, on an almost daily basis, is making it harder and harder to keep track of your favorite artists. On the opposite side of that coin, it makes discovering and falling in love with new music easier than ever before. Nothing can quite compare to the exhilaration of finding a new song or artist that just speaks to your soul in a new way or that gets you up and dancing or crying like you haven’t in a long time. Interning at an artist management company like Olivia Management, new music comes through our doors consistently—it’s incredible. I recognize that not everyone has this opportunity. This begs the question - what are the most effective and easiest ways to find new music today?

Social Media

Social media: the thing we love to hate and hate to love. But as far as using it as a platform for discovering new music, I find that it is often a great way to explore new music. Whether it’s through searching hashtags or even going through follow lists of artists that you already follow, it’s a good way to expose yourself to all different kinds of artists. Not only seeing what my friends post on their stories, I find that my social media advertisements are really good at targeting me with artists that I might like. We could talk about how the internet uses all of our data to tailor ads for each of us individually, but to be honest, I am not all that upset when I see an ad for a new album or music video from an artist that is spot on with my tastes. The most recent example of this was when I discovered a British artist named Mabel after seeing an Instagram ad for one of her music videos. That song was catchy, and I downloaded it immediately when I heard it for the first time!

Concerts

Some people like to gripe about opening acts at shows. They’ll complain about how they didn’t pay to see this brand-new artist with only one EP out, and that they’re just grinning and bearing it until the headliner hits the stage. But I like to see openers. Oftentimes their music is similar to the artist’s music that I paid to see. Having an opening spot on a big headlining tour is an amazing opportunity for exposure to a huge audience that a new artist would not normally have a chance to perform for. Who doesn’t want to give back to an opener who spends half their set talking about how grateful they are just to be there?

Friends & Family

Some of my favorite conversations with friends and family have turned into hours-long rants and arguments about who’s favorite artist is more under-appreciated and underrated than who’s. We talk about how one genre of music is deeper and more emotional than another, or we just have fun talking about the latest bops that we’ve been dancing in our cars at stoplights to. Never underestimate the power of a friend suggesting you listen to an artist or song they think that you’ll like. If they know you well enough, they only have the best experience for your ears at heart. And I find it’s one of the best ways to show someone that you truly care about them!

My Favorite Covers By Our Artists

by Helena Cook

Every now and again I love looking up covers of random songs I love. Covers are a great way to hear old favorites re-imagined by other artists and help you re-discover the messages of these songs in a new way. They give us both comfort and familiarity, but also excitement from hearing something new. This week I looked up my favorite covers by our artists at Olivia Management, so check them out below.

SHS - “All I Have To Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers

Even though Caitlin and Zack are usually known for their uptempo Americana and Rock sound, the harmonies on this cover are heavenly!

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Lydia Luce (ft. Casey Breves) - “Rain and Snow” by Pentangle

I love this folk side of Lydia and love love love her sound and voice on this cover.

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Ruthie Collins - “Jolene” by Dolly Parton

Her. Voice. Gives. Me. Chills.

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Derek Webb - “Every Grain of Sand” by Bob Dylan

I have to admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of Dylan but I do love his songwriting, and this song was perfect for Derek to cover.

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Jill Andrews - “Bermuda Highway” by My Morning Jacket

Jill’s voice is so soothing and everything I needed to hear this afternoon.

What are some of your favorite covers by our artists?

Need a new phone background? Look no further!

By Kailey Prall

Below are some hand-picked lyrics partnered with some designs to spruce up that phone of yours! We’ve got a background for everyone. See which one’s your favorite, screenshot, and set. it. up. We’ve got one for each of our artists here at Olivia Management.

Lydia Luce lyrics on my home screen? Um, yes please.

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A little Ruthie Collins inspo for ya. Always a win.

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Who wouldn’t want a funky Smooth Hound Smith background?

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Not only does this background make me want to meditate, but it’s just so pretty. Please and thank you.

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Oh, hi new Jill Andrews lyrics!

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These lyrics get me every single time…

Juggling an Internship, Work and School

By Debbie Undercoffer

At times it seems like your college classes can be too much, but how do you handle going to school, working and taking on an internship? The best piece of advice I can give someone, is to work on your time management skills. If you’re not able to manage your time wisely, you can quickly get overwhelmed, over-worked and begin to miss important deadlines. There are a few things that I do to keep things in order and hopefully they will help you do the same:

First, I always start out by writing down my priorities and putting them in order. Say you have a class starting at 8am, then your internship from 10am-4pm and your shift at work starts at 5pm. Map out every single day and write it down so you have a visual aid. Once you have that mapped out, then break down each responsibility for each activity. For example, you have 2 assignments due on Monday for that 8am class. Then your internship is asking that you have a blog post written so you can post it as soon as you get in. Lastly, your shift manager needs you to have the budget report completed by the end of the week. If you write down everything that is needed for each activity and start to prioritize, then you’ll be able to manage your time correctly and make sure you hit all your deadlines.

Separating things out and prioritizing them like this will help you plan out your week and will give you a little more free time than if you did it on the fly and realize at 10:30pm on a Sunday that you haven’t started a single one of the assignments for the next day. It’s important to include giving yourself a little time to just relax. Don’t over-book or over-commit to things and burn yourself out. Your mental health should always come first. If you start feeling over-worked and you notice that things are starting to slip through the cracks, start asking for help. Maybe one of your classmates can help you study for that exam, or one of your co-workers can step in and assist with a project. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Sometimes even having someone pick up dinner for you can make a all the difference.

Of course everyone is different and the way I do things may not work for you, and that’s ok! Go and shuffle that playlist of your favorite Olivia Management artists to listen to while you set calendar reminders for yourself, leave sticky notes on your mirror, or make a calendar and hang it on your wall. Just be sure to find a process that works best for you and stick to it!