Among the most passionate people about music are those who work in the music industry: at labels, as press relation people, as concert promoters, as booking agents, as managers, as music critics, and so on. RREVERB proposes to its readers a series of interviews with passionate music artisans. Today, we meet… EVAN NEWMAN What’s your role in the company you are presently working at, and since when are you working there? Where are you from and where do you live now? I am the managing director of Outside Music, a multi-faceted music company comprised of 3 divisions; management, label, distribution. I have been here since 2007 and I was born and raised north of Toronto and now live in Toronto. When have you started to work in the music business? I was 28 years old and had a couple of careers prior to being in music At what age have you started to love music? When I was born When you were 20, what was your dream (in the music world)? My dream was to be able to travel the world and see live music Have you ever been a musician? Tell us about your career. Never, I have no musical talent. ABOUT THE MUSIC BUSINESS Do you live from it? Yes, it is my main and only source of revenue Is it still possible to make a living with music today? What do you need to do to make ends meet? Yes, it is still possible, and you need talent, patience, dedication and a tireless work ethic to make ends meet Who did you meet in your musical path that was key to your development / success? I worked with the White Stripes on their first few albums and I learned a lot from Jack White, mainly to always listen to those around you but stick to your vision. What do you like about your current position? That I oversee the development of the careers of many artists I am a fan of and care deeply for What would you change about the music business today I would love for people to not take good music for granted, to value the art form as an integral part of our culture and identity Which great personal goal have you not achieved yet? For all of my artists to live comfortably off of their art Vinyl, cassette, CD or digital? Digital, I have a 2 year old son and we don’t have room for vinyl or CD ON ARTISTS AND MUSIC What are your preferred music genres? Was it always the case through your life? I have always liked the singer songwriter, traditional country music, and punk. On a desert island you bring those 5 albums (no more!) Gene Clark – No Other, Sigur Ros – Ágætis byrjun, Otis Redding – Dock of the Bay, Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations, At the Drive In – Relationship of Command Playlist! Who is the friendliest artist/music celebrity you’ve met? The band Elbow, genuinely good people who have endured quite a bit and come out on top Which brilliant artist should have made it big, but didn’t (yet)? Matthew Barber – his songs have more hooks than a fisherman’s tackle box Who would you like to meet? What would you tell/ask them? David Foster Wallace and I would ask him Why? Thank you, Evan! To know more about the artists on Outside Music, check out their website (click on the logo, below). Réagissez à cet article / Comment this article commentaires / comments
