Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
We’ll my name is Shan Dan Horan, and I’m the Vice President at Artery Recordings. Past experience goes from working at Century Media Records handling marketing/new media, to Working for Barack Obama (Marketing/Media)
What drove you to choose your career path?
I’ve always loved music but decided I would rather work in the shadows helping someones career out then being a rockstar. I was good at marketing and went to college for it, so I combined the two.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
I got my current job because I had a solid reputation, and had allot of success working with other Labels. I don’t think they cared that I actually had an education (a degree in Marketing) as much as a solid track record.
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Most of the time I make sure everything is running on all cylinders. Getting premieres scheduled out, making sure albums are being advertised properly. Combating stolen content, and making sure our youtube is optimized. You definitely need to wear allot of hats.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
People often assume that the music industry is Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll. Its actually like any other job. You spend vast amounts of time behind a computer in an office, schedule meetings, yell at people, drink lots of coffee. Definitely not as wild as outsiders would assume.
What are your average work hours?
I work 7 days a week, 80 hours on average.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
It’s easy to take on more jobs then you need to, especially if you are like me and want tasks done perfectly. The best tip that I can offer is, delegate responsibility to other people and trust they know what they are doing. Micromanagement will destroy you
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I have this weird impulse where I have to learn how to do everything on my own so I have an understanding. So at this point I’m certified in After Effects, Photoshop, Html and a ton of other programs. If a circumstance happens where a graphic designer, or videographer flakes last minute I just do it myself.
What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
The worst part is dealing with a band that is unwilling to listen to you. This happens mostly when a band is very young or new. Most think they understand exactly how the industry works, and refuse to listen to someone who has worked in the heart of it for over a decade. Not much you can do in a situation like that but hope they listen to your sound advice.
What's the most enjoyable part of the job?
I enjoy discovering new bands. Every now and then you discover something you truly believe in, and that charges me up.
How do you move up in your field?
By having a solid track record and accomplishing big feats. The bigger a deal you work out the better.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Work hard and always learn. If you think you are to good to do a job, or you know everything, you will fail. Constantly adapt and learn where this industry is heading, it’s a roller coaster.