How long have you worked in Management?

20+ years.

Who do you manage now?

Demi Riquísimo, Demuja, Remi Kabaka Jr, Waves Rush In.

Where did you find your first client and what inspired you to take them on?

I guess this would be the terrible covers band that I was the front person (lead singer + rhythm guitar) of at school. To say I sucked in comparison to the rest of the band would be an understatement, but I still gave it a good go. Eventually I realised I should probably let the talented kids crack on with the music making but wanted to still be involved somehow. Enter my first attempts at managing through trying to put on events in our school hall and find gig opportunities in the local town fair.

What does a good/bad day at work look like for you?

Fortunately I’m writing this at a time of feeling well in myself having been through some tough years in the business. Today, most days look good. Even the challenges that can test your patience are lessons and opportunities for growth that I welcome. With that as a precursor, a bad day is one where I’m having to deal with difficult, and often emotionally charged disagreements. The industry and line of work has a default to leave things to the imagination which can reside in a grey area. This makes being on the same page with clients, team members, partners incredibly important and conflict can really show up when you’re not. Fortunately, I feel like many years of experience has given me the necessary tools to navigate those disputes with due care to myself as well as the person or team that might also be involved.

What has been the highlight of your management career to date?

I wouldn’t say it was the most glamorous or the most obvious career highlight but being on the road, touring in a bus across N. America for at least some of the dates on a long run felt like a real moment. A rite of passage and an experience I’ll always remember fondly even with the hardships and challenges that come with it. A more obvious highlight was when I was nominated for a seat on the MMF board. I wasn’t expecting it at all and it felt like a real recognition of the specific values I bring to my work. It was a proud moment for sure and I’ve loved being a part of it ever since.

What do you think are the big challenges for a manager in 2024?

The constant and ever evolving landscape of the music industry post-COVID and amongst tech advancements and developments make our job hard and more challenging than ever. But we are the problem solvers! The creative business people who will always find ways to make it work. And in some great cases, leverage these changes to the advantage of our clients and our business. Stay informed and observant. Be humble and agile!

Why would you recommend the MMF?

It’s an incredible organisation with wonderful people at its core. No better community to be part of offering so much support and encouragement to the hardest workers out there!

What music are you currently listening to?

Anything on my ‘liked’ playlist on shuffle which can be literally anything but I love it all. Classical to Jungle to Techno to Folk!