Q&A: Relix Live Music Conference Panelists
On May 8 and 9, the second annual Relix Live Music Conference was held at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl. It acted as a meeting-of-the-music-minds, with industry professionals exchanging ideas and panels discussing topics ranging from livestreaming to activism to artist management. Below we asked a few panelists a little about themselves and their experience at the RLMC:
Brad Serling, nugs.net
Who is your music industry hero?
Bill Graham on the industry side. I always wanted nugs to be like the Fillmore East, a destination for music.
What concert are you seeing next?
I just came from Jazz Fest, but my next show is probably the first night of Dead tour.
What’s one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
The rate of subscriber growth of YouTube channels.
Ted Kartzman, YouTube & Google Play Music
Who is your music industry hero?
The easy answer would be Pete Shapiro, because he’s done so much for all of us in the industry. I’d also have to say Rick Rubin.
What concert are you seeing next?
The Women in Americana concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
What resonated is that about live, and it’s about immediacy. A show that’s two days old is old news, that’s crazy! It’s the reality of the immediacy of the world we live in.
Ginny Suss, Ginny Suss Productions, Okayplayer, Women’s March on Washington
Who is your music industry hero?
Meghan Stabile, who is the head of revive music, is a women in the industry championing a genre and reinventing the jazz scene in NYC.
What concert are you seeing next?
A group I manage, The Resistance Revival Chorus, is playing a benefit for the New York City Highline.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
There’s a whole industry of musicians touring fest style on cruise boats. Also there’s such a thing as goat yoga.
Kunj Shah, Live For Live Music & Plexus Entertainment Group
Who is your music industry hero?
Pete Shapiro
What concert are you seeing next?
Disco Biscuits, Spafford, and Organ Freeman at Red Rocks
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
How big the shift is toward curated and themed events.
Kelly Viau, Cloud 9 Adventures
Who is your music industry hero?
All of the artists who give us the opportunity to do what we do.
What concert are you seeing next?
Rolling Loud with my kids
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
It’s wonderful to look around the room and see so many women.
Anthony Makes, Live Nation
Who is your music industry hero?
Jim Glancy
What concert are you seeing next?
Gary Clark Jr.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
I was happy to see the unity of the five of us on stage all on the same page for our love for the Cap.
Ami Spishock, Fort William Artist Management
Who is your music industry hero?
Rosemary Carol and Sam Kirby
What concert are you seeing next?
The War on Drugs
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
How fond I am of Danny Clinch.
Liz Norris, ACTIVIST Artist Management
Who is your music industry hero?
The unexpected moments along my career where I would receive advice, or support, or encouragement. I don’t think I have once specific hero, but I have appreciation for people who don’t know what they did for me.
What concert are you seeing next?
The first Dead & Co. show in Mansfield, MA.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
Our whole panel was about business, but [talking about passionate fans], I’ve had that same experience. You see a fan in tears and you realize how special that is.
Who is your music industry hero?
Joe Russo.
What concert are you seeing next?
Dave Frey met Frank Sinatra.
Chris Burrows, The Bowery Presents
Who is your music industry hero?
Two of my mentors: One being Robbie Taylor [Grateful Dead/Phil Lesh’s stage manager], the other being Jake Berry–stalwarts who do what I do on the production side.
What concert are you seeing next?
Radiohead.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
The bureaucracy that is the New York City Parks Department; there’s a lot of different agencies. I knew it, but the depth you have to deal with is more than I ever envisioned.
Jay Curley, Ben & Jerry’s
Who is your music industry hero?
I have to say Beth Montuori
What concert are you seeing next?
Sturgill Simpson — Ben & Jerry’s Benefit show (he used the word benefit but I looked online and couldn’t find what cause it went to, so maybe omit?) in Shelburne, Vermont.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
I think what has been reinforced a lot here is the idea that what has started in a parking lot or garage, can really turn into something so meaningful and impactful.
Beth Montuori Rowles, Phish Inc.
Who is your music industry hero?
Before I started working for Phish, I worked for Tea Party Concerts and Don Law was my boss. I was his executive assistant. He was the first person I had ever worked for who was a philanthropist. He used his company as a tool for philanthropy.
What concert are you seeing next?
Unknown, but I’ll definitely be in Tahoe for Phish’s tour opener.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
I didn’t know I was gonna run into so many people I knew. To come to an event like this and to know 1/3 of the people was exciting.
Andy Bernstein, HeadCount
Who is your music industry hero?
Patrick Jordan
What concert are you seeing next?
Karina Rykman Experiment
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
How well Amy [Streim]’s speech was. She’s a conquering hero–most people didn’t know her, but I know.
Nadia Prescher, Madison House
Who is your music industry hero?
My co-founder, Mike Luba.
What concert are you seeing next?
JP Saxe tonight!
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
It was surprising how many people I love were in the same room this week. It’s an amazing community.
Jason Miller, Live Nation
Who is your music industry hero?
Bill Graham. He was the inspiration for what I wanted to become with live music. I was born and raised in Portland, Ore. and was keenly aware of his accomplishments.
What concert are you seeing next?
Bon Jovi
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
How Mike Luba and Nadia Prescher met and the evolution of Madison House.
Lynn Cingari, Paradigm Talent Agency
Who is your music industry hero?
Chip Hooper.
What concert are you seeing next?
California Roots Music Festival.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
From the activism panel – how green Celestial Seasonings is.
Hank Sacks, Partisan Arts
Who is your music industry hero?
Chip Hooper.
What concert are you seeing next?
David Byrne.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
What a great industry we work in.
Kerry Black, Superfly
Who is your music industry hero?
Chip Hooper.
What concert are you seeing next?
Power Trip at Elsewhere.
What’s the one thing you learned at the RLMC that was surprising or unexpected?
The most important part of collaboration is to get a really good partner.
Bradley Tucker, Dayglo Vntures
Who is your music industry hero?
What concert are you seeing next?
Margo Price Midnight show at Brooklyn Bowl after Gov Ball.
