Manager Spotlight offers a small insight into the heads of incredible managers. This week in the spotlight is Cori Chinnici!

How long have you worked in Management? 
I’ve been an independent artist manager for 3 years.

Who do you manage now?
Electronic pop songstress GEISTE and electronic artist producer and multi-instrumentalist LOELASH.

Where did you find your first client and what inspired you to take them on?
I met Geiste at Westminster University four years ago, we were studying the same MA in Music Business Management. I felt a strong human connection with her since day one. After a few months, I saw her playing and her performance, her voice, her stories made me feel something quite unique. From that moment on, I felt the need to help her develop as an artist, she showed me a new beautiful world that needed to be discovered and shared with other people. It’s hard to explain in words, I guess it’s that “gut feeling” we all hear a lot about. When I saw her, I just knew.

What’s a good/bad day at work look like for you? 
Sometimes I feel that a good day and a bad day can happen within one hour! Generally, it’s a good day when the artists I work with are serene and can focus on making music and looking after themselves, when most things look planned and under control and they don’t feel overwhelmed. A bad day is when anxiety hits, and everything seems to fall apart and we lose sight of where we’re at and what we need to do next.

What has been the highlight of your management career to date?
It’s quite hard to choose, so I’ll give one highlight each. Shortly before lockdown, Geiste performed in front of a sold out Omeara supporting Isaac Delusion. I was in the middle of the unknown crowd. She was fiercely owning the stage, people were dancing and truly connecting with her, and I felt immensely proud witnessing her conquering them. Another big moment is the first time I heard Loelash on BBC1xtra – I’ll never forget when I started to hear his beats alongside Jamz Supernova introducing him, knowing that his music was broadcasted on national radio.

What do you think are the big challenges for a manager in 2020?
When the crisis hit, I felt we were taken away from the momentum we finally got to build in 2020 – like many others, we had strong plans for this year and felt that we couldn’t keep up with them. However, we then realised that I was given back time to think and strategize, have more conversation, take it a bit slower as all the industry was moving at a different pace. The biggest challenge is maintaining a good work-life balance, especially having a full-time job besides management. Sometimes it’s hard to switch off the computer and unplug the brain, as well as looking after the wellbeing of the artists while also checking in with your own mental health and energy.

What music are you currently listening to?
Here are a few exciting new artists I am into and that I highly recommend: DijahSB, Sans Soucis, Clear Mortifee, Lynks, Godblesscomputers.