Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.

Music is something that I have always been drawn to – I think I can speak for everyone in the industry that they would not be working their tails off if they did not feel passionate about paving a successful path for bands to follow. It was at a very early age that I found myself connecting with metal/hardcore music, and of course, the dream manifested over the years that I would one day be able to work directly with bands I admire. My journey to becoming an integral part of some of my favorite artist’s campaigns has been a long, difficult one, filled with lessons that have not only thickened my skin to a depth I thought previously impossible, but has created the determined, hard-working person I am today.

It started with excessive concert-attending, led me to DePaul University to complete my Public Relations and Advertising degree, began with an internship at Victory Records in marketing, to a full time position as Head of Publicity shortly after graduation, where I worked diligently for about 4 years with bands such as Comeback Kid, Terror, Reverend Horton Heat and more. I’ve recently made a big move – I now live in Brooklyn, NY and am acting Publicity Manager at Eleven Seven Music Group working with bands including Papa Roach, Escape The Fate, Nothing More, Motley Crue, and more. I couldn’t be happier with the transition and am so lucky to be here, surrounded by amazing peers.

What drove you to choose your career path?

Post graduation, I had a lot of interviews in the PR field. Many in Chicago were for B2B marketing businesses, promoting and working on campaigns that were based around new medical supplies and various other opportunities. The fact of the matter was that these positions would require a brand new wardrobe (think J Crew, Black & White), and for me to put countless hours into products that I had no passion for. At the end of the day, I feel an immeasurable amount of appreciation that I get to come to work and help talented, deserving artists to get where they want to be. It felt, and still feels, like the only home for me, where I can be myself and do what I love.

How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?

As shared before, I attended Chicago’s DePaul University. There, I majored in PR and Advertising with a minor in Art History. Need any Michelangelo information? I’m your girl.

If this is an industry you truly want to be in, you need to start on the ground floor. Make your passions known and show everyone what you’re made of. Hustling hard will bring you to where you need to be. There is no time to rest in an industry that is constantly evolving and adapting to the times.

Generally, for a non-entry level position, a label will want at about 4 years of industry experience as you’ll have had time to make a name for yourself and create some meaningful relationships in the press.
 

 What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?

Making calls, calls, and more calls. Maintaining relationships with members of the press, continuing to stay on top of what magazines are up to and covering, and taking major advantage of the right side of my brain. It’s creativity. Creating opportunities, thinking up new angles for your artists to be presented on different platforms, and bouncing ideas off of the wonderful team you work with. Collaboration, seeing what has not been done yet, and doing the most to make sure fans and press alike are aware of everything we have happening at any given moment. Awareness in a world that seems to be oversaturated is top priority.

What misconceptions do people often have about your job?

The biggest misconception about the music industry in general, and I believe bands and label staffers could agree on this, is that this is one big party. While we have rock ‘n roll in our hearts, we know what it takes to stay relevant – constant adaptation and a work ethic beyond compare. We are never “off the clock”.  The music industry does not sleep, leaving no room (or time) for laziness.

What are your average work hours?

I have had hours across the board. This is not a 9am-5pm job by any means necessary. When connecting with press in the UK, one must take into account time differences -- their afternoon is our early morning which means you’ve got to be by your phone/computer to handle European requests of any kind. I have been expected to work anywhere from 10-12 hour days (in the office). To echo Confucius, “find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”

What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?

There are no shortcuts. Publicity is about putting in your time, creating relationships, and maintaining them. Personal tips, though? I have a few. Work with conviction and confidence – if you don’t believe in your product or artist, there is a slim chance anybody else will. Another? Be mindful about who you are speaking to at all times. Know what you are pitching and who you are pitching to as to not appear like an amateur. Will Decibel Magazine cover your indie-pop band? Know that they will not and pitch smarter. Self-awareness and awareness of others.

What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?

I don’t know that I do anything drastically different than my peers, all of whom I have a ton of respect for. Whether you are working in New Media, Publicity, Marketing, Sales, you are, most likely, working your ass off. It is, however, important to let your personality shine through and become the person that people feel comfortable talking to and want to talk to. Some of the greatest friendships I have currently are members of the press that I speak to daily. That is a blessing.

Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?

Come prepared! If you are approaching a publicist with a request, be as professional as you can be. Provide links to your outlet, previous interviews/album reviews, your contact information, exactly what you are hoping to accomplish, etc. A request for an interview that comes in without proper punctuation, any sort of signature, or specifics will most likely be overlooked and passed on. Be mindful of asking for guest list passes with enough time for the band’s/manager’s alike to plan ahead for you. Professionalism, when enlisting anybody’s services, is essential.

What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?

It is never easy to turn down a request, regardless of whether it’s an interview, shooting a performance, or planning larger editorials. This is not something that people in the industry take pleasure in doing. If a request needs to be turned down, I always try to present another opportunity in it’s place. It’s press, regardless the size of the outlet, that keep music alive. I deeply appreciate every single person whom I have ever worked with.

What's the most enjoyable part of the job?

Watching artists who are truly talented and deserving succeed. This is what we’re here for. Every single seat filled at this office is occupied by a person whose primary goal is to present the biggest and best opportunities for our bands. When interviews, photo shoots, charity campaigns, etc., go according to plan, there is no better feeling.

What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?

Anybody in the music industry will tell you that they are not in it for the money. We are all here because we have fallen deeply, passionately in love with music, and want to do our part to spread our artists’ messages to the masses. The feeling when a band hits it big, the feeling when a band gets an encore, that is an additional currency.

That being said, remaining PC, you can absolutely live comfortably when you do your job well with the salary provided.

How do you move up in your field?

The only way is to prove your worth – another reason why confidence is essential (in any field). Are you taking on more responsibilities that warrant a raise? Are you working your ass off and hitting the targets that need to be reached? Have you put in the time? Maybe it’s time you ask for a raise/job title change. If not, do some self reflection. Are you doing everything and more expected of you? If not, what would warrant a move up in your company?

What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?

Do your research. If you are heading to a label, know who you will be representing, what the company’s goals are, and determine what special skills of yours that you can bring to the environment. A person is hired when they can prove they will be a valuable asset to a company, Make yourself that valuable asset. Understand what you want to do and master it – “Whatever you are, be a great one.”