Interview: Allen Stone's Manager Dishes About the Business of Artist Management

In 2011 when I first began working on music showcases for SXSW in Austin, Texas, one of my clients that I worked closely with was Allen Stone and his manager BJ Olin. Stone is a soul and R&B singer from Seattle, Washington who released his first album, Last to Speak, in 2010, followed by his self-titled label released album in 2011/2012. It was after the release of his sophomore album that his career really began to take steam, landing him top spots on iTunes and Billboard. He performed as the headliner on an unattached showcase at SXSW 2012 then as the headliner on his management company's showcase in 2013, Red Light Management. 

Red Light Management is an artist management company with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, London and more. The represent acts such as Alicia Keys, Alabama Shakes, Rayland Baxter, Alberta Cross, and Natasha Bedingfield. 

BJ Olin has been with Red Light for a few years now, but has been artist managing in one way or another for approximately eight years. I jumped on the phone with him last week to pick his brain about his exciting career and to get advice from him for those out there who are pursuing artist management.

Olin graduated with a Bachelor's degree in marketing and public relations from Texas Tech followed by some communications classes in grad school but ultimately dropped out to pursue artist management full time. He first began by tour managing a friend's band as well as Missouri to Nashville based singer, Matt Wertz. Ultimately these relationships fizzled and Olin went on to work with Def Jam Recordings, followed by a brief stint working with Seattle indie rock band, Barcelona. After some hardships post-Barcelona, Olin landed his now job working for Red Light Management. 

He is now currently living and working in LA, but travels very frequently with his clients. Outside of Allen Stone, Olin manages a budding rapper whose name I cannot disclose at this time, American Idol season eight contestant Jackie Tohn, Swedish singer-songwriter Tingsek, and singer-songwriter/actress Stacie Orrico. 

When I asked Olin what some of his most important responsibilities are in managing his artists' careers, he explained that it is his job to "coach" his clients. Starting from the ground up, Olin goes through the growing pains with his acts and assists in developing their craft. The other large aspect of his career, he said, was to cultivate relationships with other entertainment entities and professionals on behalf of his artists in order to create opportunities for them. 

I asked Olin what, in his mind, are the most important characteristics an individual must embody to build a career as an artist manager. Without hesitation, he said "resourcefulness and tenacity." These qualities combined with a lot of hard work and a little bit of elbow grease, he said, will without a doubt multiply your victories in your artists' careers. 

As far as advice for aspiring artist managers go, Olin said to never put all of your eggs in one basket. He explained that oftentimes people want to pigeonhole themselves to only work with one act or one type of act. Broadening your horizons, even if it's out of your comfort zone, will ultimately make you a more successful and more versatile artist manager in the longrun.  

I closed the interview by asking Olin what he most loved about being an artist manager. He said, "No day and no artist is ever the same. Seeing each individual artist as a new project keeps me on my toes and keeps me guessing. It creates new and exciting situations. Life is always interesting as an artist manager."

Show Recap: ACL Taping of Grizzly Bear at The Moody Theater, 04/10/13

Austin, Texas is the proud home of the American public television music program Austin City Limits, or ACL, which airs on PBS around the country. It first began in the mid-1970s and was recorded in one of the communications buildings at the University of Texas until 2011. The show was then moved to its new location, The Moody Theater, located properly on Willie Nelson Boulevard in downtown Austin. ACL assisted Austin in gaining the title “Live Music Capital of the World” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Some of the amazing performers to have hit the stage in the past include Joe Cocker, The Allman Brothers Band, The Flaming Lips, Joan Baez, Mos Def, Beck, Johnny Cash, Alabama Shakes, B.B. King, Foo Fighters, Brooks & Dunn, Neko Case, Fats Domino, Coldplay, Loretta Lynn, Mumford & Sons, and Van Morrison just to name a few. See a full list of past performers here.

To attend a taping the public is asked to enter a drawing online. If you are one of the lucky winners then you are notified via email as to what time to show up to the venue to get settled for the taping. I have previously only entered my name once before for the chance to see Jack White, unfortunately to no avail. I have seen shows at The Moody Theater before, however, and it is quite the live music venue. With nearly a 3,000-person capacity, the sleek space boasts a large standing room floor and two levels of balcony seating. The sound is simply amazing.

Recently my friend won passes to see the taping of Brooklyn based indie rockers, Grizzly Bear, and I was lucky enough to get the invite to be her +1. They performed this past Wednesday evening and I was absolutely thrilled to get the chance to see them since I was unable to snag tickets to their concert at Stubb’s before it sold out.

The venue looked gorgeous; removable seating was placed around the stage but a small standing area was left between the two jibs located on either side of the stage. Behind the stage was a mock Austin skyline lit up with twinkling lights. The special taping stage is low to the ground to create a very intimate and personal feel to the show. We sat three rows up on the right hand side, so close we could see every strum of the guitar, every tap of the snare.

Grizzly Bear put on an astonishing performance. The caliber of sound in the space really gave their music that extra something. Watching the two vocalists, Edward Droste and Daniel Rossen, perform together was almost like watching a modern day Simon and Garfunkel.  They played songs from their 2004 studio album debut, Horn of Plenty, all the way up to their most recent record, 2012’s Shields.

The show wrapped up a little after an hour. As we began to proceed to the exit I turned to my friend and asked her if they ever do encores at tapings. She has seen three tapings prior and explained to me that encores are very few and far between. As soon as the words left her mouth the band surprised everyone with a four-song encore. Since we were already out of our seats we were able to sneak onto the first row footboard, even closer than we’d already been! It was truly a breathtaking show. I was able to snap a front row photo that can be seen below. I can only hope that my next taping will be just as memorable!