Irons in the Fire
There are things I take stabs at that aren’t necessarily successful, but hopefully one day will be. We sell merch and not any quantities to impact my business, but we’re trying. You never know when something’s going to pan out. I never thought the DJ was going to pan out and, boom, it hit. I want to have options out there so when one comes through I’ll be in the place for it.
Employee Turnover
People’s understanding of what an agency does, versus what it actually is, are completely different. People sign up then six to 15 months in, they decide it’s not for them and we have to start over. We have 13 employees, but every time they turn over, the DJ has to start over with somebody new.
The Secret is Luck
At the end of the day, it’s 50% luck, 50% right place, right time if an act hits. Not necessarily because you’re a great agent. It could just be because you were there and available. Your ability to duplicate it is what makes you a good agent.
A Day in the Life
I wake up between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. I look at my Blackberries and phone. I look at my phone first to see who’s texting me. Depending where I’m at in the world, I’m getting updates from what’s going on in the clubs. I check Instagram if anything exciting happened. I’ll glance at the clock and if it’s too early I might go back to sleep. I might get up and try my computer, because we do a lot of international business, and those emails are already flowing. I also work for Epic Records and there’s a service called Mediabase that updates around 6:15; it tells you where your records are playing. After responding to emails, 7:00 will roll around, I’ll shower and go to work. I try to leave the office by 10:00 p.m., but it depends. Sometimes it’s later. I come home and watch TV until I fall asleep. I don’t force myself to sleep or stay awake. When I’m tired, I go to bed. That could be 9:00, 10:30, sometimes 2:30 a.m.
A Time for Every Genre, A Place for Every Style
EDM had a great run. It’s leveling out, but will continue to be successful, especially top tier. The rest of dance music is going back underground. Like I said, music is cyclical, so who knows what will be next? For now, it looks like hip-hop is back.
As population and technology grow, you can do whatever you like. In New York, you can do what you want on any night. Technology brings everyone closer. As time goes on, there are going to be more options.
Ideal Situations
Everyone wants to be successful in a space that they’re not. More than anything, people want to work and once they’re working, they want to work in an ideal situation where they can express themselves musically. So if you’re a cool DJ, even though Vegas might be the better paycheck, play a festival for way less money because you can express yourself musically.
Do What You Love
Find a balance between what you’re good at and what you enjoy. If it’s your time, then it’s your time. I wouldn’t chase something you’re not interested in. I wake up every day excited to go to work. People say you have no life, but actually, I have a great life.
Years with Company: 10
Web: skamartist.com
Clients: Blac Chyna, Amber Rose, Cassie, Jermaine Dupri, Nick Cannon, Justin Credible, Lil Jon, Havana Brown, Swizz Beats, Taryn Manning, Samantha Ronson.
By Andy Kaufmann
