Focused Noise

August 9, 2021August 9, 2021

A3C Music Business Discussion: Getting on Tours, Festivals, and Shows

This is a special episode from the A3C Festival and Conference in Atlanta, where I was invited to speak on a panel about touring, festivals, and shows. We also gave some helpful tips on how to grow a fanbase organically and how to build an artist’s overall brand.

Our moderator was MICxSIC (@MICXSIC). He can also be found at savagefam.com or youtube.com/savagefamproductions.

Our panelists were Clarissa Reformina from Paradigm Talent Agency (@clrisaxplnsitall), Juels Pierrot from Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival (@juelspierrot), and Brent Tactic from Rogue Agency (@Brent_tactic).

Check out this episode!

March 27, 2018March 27, 2018

Media Mastermind Justin Hunte- Create Your Own Path

Justin Hunte is the Head of Video Production & Development for Ambrosia For Heads, and Director of Content and Strategic Marketing at Empire Distribution. Formerly Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX, Hunte is the architect behind DX’s video platform and creator of popular series, #DXBreakdown. Hunte’s also a weekly contributor to Shade45’s All Out Show on SiriusXM.

In 2017, he participated in a debate at the prestigious Oxford Union on whether Kanye West is more relevant than William Shakespeare. A graduate of Wofford College, Hunte spent 5 years working at Bank Of America/Merrill Lynch. He sacrificed a profitable investment banking career in order to follow his passion, with the goal of becoming the greatest Hip-Hop writer on the planet. Hunte has since covered music, politics, and culture for numerous publications, and is a great example for anyone who has a dream and a vision, but is hesitant to take the necessary leap of faith. Hopefully this episode inspires you to take the next step.

Follow @TheCompanyMan on all socials.

Show Notes:

3:16 Justin was inspired to give up a profitable career in investment banking

8:54 The goal of being the greatest Hip-Hop writer of all time

11:21 Justin talks about the start of his on air experience

16:05 How Justin manifested his career as a writer

28:18 Living at the edge of your capabilities and growing

29:58 Why Master P is the most successful person Justin knows

33:49 The importance of failure

39:11 The impact of Martin Shkreli’s interview with Justin Hunte

47:51 Creating deeper long form content

54:27 People gravitate towards extremes

58:21 Justin took a job with Empire to learn more about the Industry inner workings

1:07:28 Do artists need to live in a metropolitan music hub?

1:12:09 How Justin responded to being fired from his volunteer job at Brooklyn Bodega

1:20:15 The importance of maintaining your faith during the hard times

1:22:48 Everything is achievable

1:36:54 How Justin would spend a $10,000 album release budget

1:45:43 Justin doesn’t allow money to dictate his decisions

1:46:36 The perfection of Kendrick Lamar’s Damn album

Check out this episode!

January 24, 2018January 24, 2018

KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)- Winning Through Hard Work and Creativity

KXNG Crooked (AKA Crooked I) is one of Hip-Hop’s all-time most respected lyricists. Suge Knight once hailed him as the next Tupac Shakur, and years later Eminem signed his group Slaughterhouse (with Joe Budden, Royce da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz) to Shady Records. But that doesn’t even begin to explain Crooked’s foresight and brilliance. Crooked built one of Hip-Hop’s first online followings with the release of his Hip-Hop Weekly Series in 2007, releasing a new track every week for a year, and creating a trend that was later implemented by a number of successful artists. He has also continued to stay relevant by remaining innovative and taking frequent chances.

This is definitely one of the best episodes yet, as Crooked shares invaluable knowledge, and he even provides a blueprint for up and coming artists to follow when releasing an album. In addition to being an incredible MC, Crooked is a born leader, social activist, TV producer, and an overall great person. I guarantee you will get some real value from this interview or I’ll give you a full refund. Check it out!

Show Notes:
6:25 Traveling expands your mind
10:50 Being inspired by the success of Snoop Dogg and Warren G in his younger years
13:01 Crooked took advantage of his first big opportunity
16:29 Being too smart for his own good
19:50 Why Crooked chose Death Row over Aftermath
21:44 Crooked ponders whether his friend who sells incense or Dr. Dre is the most successful person he knows
24:05 Suge Knight always led by example and was accessible at any time
27:16 Crooked has always tried to match 2Pac’s work ethic
28:49 Being an early adopter of technology and building an online fan base
32:05 Why so many artists stole Crooked’s formula
36:37 On aging well
39:06 The making of Slaughterhouse
43:10 The positioning used to get Slaughterhouse on Shady Records
50:00 Eminem’s work ethic is infectious
52:38 Why being creative will always have value
54:27 How a rock bottom moment solidified Crooked’s sobriety
58:51 Surround yourself with positive people
1:04:21 Never let ideas escape
1:05:13 Crooked details a great plan on how to spend $10K on your album release
1:14:17 Learn from your mistakes

Check out this episode!

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017

Film Producer Gary Ousdahl- The Making of Warren G’s “G-Funk” Documentary

Gary Ousdahl is the Owner and Manager of Advanced Management. He recently produced the upcoming Warren G documentary “G-Funk”, which premiered at SXSW this past March and will be released in early 2018. Gary is a master networker and dot connector, and he shares some of the methods that have helped him succeed as a film producer, manager, and business owner. He also walks us through the process of meeting Warren G and making the “G-Funk” documentary in just a matter of months.

About Gary:

Gary Ousdahl has spent the past 17 years working as an agent, manager, executive and producer. With over nine years experience working at some of the most prestigious talent agencies in Hollywood (William Morris Agency, CAA), Gary has an extensive list of close relationships with many top agents, managers and executives. He also spent three years working in physical production and development with actor/writer/director/producer, Tyler Perry. Gary is currently owner and manager at Advanced Management, repping actors, writers and directors. He has also produced the indie features Austin Found, Street Level and G-Funk and as well as serving as an Executive Producer on The Ninth Passenger, Pimp, Fury of the Fist, Bachelor Lions, Prey No More and his latest feature which recently wrapped in Australia, In Like Flynn. Gary is also a Executive Producer on In The Company Of Lies, which is currently set up at Rat Pac Entertainment/Voltage Films as well as serving as an Executive Producer on the Lionsgate/TNT series 40 Elephants. He is repped by CAA and attorney Eric Feig.

Show Notes:

7:50 How Warren G brought Snoop Dogg to Dr. Dre
11:07 Finding the right investors for the “G-Funk” documentary
21:46 How to involve the right people who will be excited about your project
27:24 How to become a person of value and connect good people with each other
28:34 How to raise money from investors
30:20 A few lessons Gary learned while working with Tyler Perry
32:45 Why Craig Robinson is Gary’s favorite person to work with
35:45 The importance of surrounding yourself with friends who inspire you
39:00 Always be in the outgoing call business
40:10 Struggling makes you stronger
42:53 Setting and accomplishing goals
46:38 Life is pointless if you’re not following your passion

Check out this episode!

December 14, 2017December 14, 2017

A&R Michael Chehadé- Realizing the Value in Yourself

Michael Chehadé is currently the Director of A&R and Creative Director with the Adler Music Group. Previously, he managed radio/ TV personality DJ Skee as well as Dash Radio. Chehadé was also a producer at Skee TV, which aired on Mark Cuban’s AXS.TV and Fuse.

Additionally, Michael is a known tastemaker, championing and promoting many of your favorite artists before the general public becomes aware of their music. Life has brought him a number of ups and downs, but his faith has been his driving force is navigating the bumpy roads. Mike’s an extremely passionate person, and it shines through in every conversation, including this interview.

Check out this episode!

December 7, 2017

Creed Bratton Heading Back on the Road

Don’t miss Creed in your city next month! He’s bringing his amazing music/ comedy hybrid show, and he probably won’t steal anything this time.

January 2018 Tour Dates:

January 17 Chicago, IL (Beat Kitchen)
January 18 Lafayette, IN (Lafayette Theater)
January 19 Cincinnati, OH (Mad Frog)
January 20 Indianapolis, IN (SkyBar)
January 21 St. Louis, MO (Fubar)
January 22 Lexington, KY (Cosmic Charlie’s)
January 24 Pittsburgh, PA (Rex Theater)
January 25 Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Soundstage)
January 26 Morgantown, WV (Mainstage)
January 28 Lancaster, PA (The Chameleon)