GFM: What do you look for in an artist?
OT: Since Music is first passion I am now very picky about who I work with. The main thing you must have is Drive! Talent is great but you have to want it for yourself. I also look at Image and how you can fit into the market of you genre. I also look and see how you handle your personal life for this will reflect how you will handle business long term, if you can’t control your personal life then it will be difficult to handle a business life. I look for their following, as well as the target market they are looking to penetrate, these are all things that need to be ironed out before you step into a manager/artist relationship. Also I want to know how serious an artist is by how much they have invested into themselves. I have wasted so much time and money on part artist who were not fully focused on progression of the craft.
GFM: Managing artist can be extremely difficult. What have been some challenges you have faced?
OT: Being an artist manager is a very challenging task. I have managed artist in various genres so are the challenges I have faced. Artist with no self-drive will make a rocky road, I have dealt with artist who I put so much into getting locked up, I have had the challenge managing artist who have bad reputations so it is more difficult to promote them in some areas. Personal lives are always a challenge, some artist don’t know how to set aside personal to handle business.
GFM: How do you feel about the current indie music scene?
OT: I am loving the current Indie Music scene! So many artist are reaching levels of success without major labels. The support level for the indie/underground scene is growing, Genres are merging, more indie artist are networking, DJ’s are showing indie artist more love and more opportunities are available. I still think we can get so much more done together but that is an ever going battle for artist unity. With more Indie artist reaching “Main Stream” Success it is showing that it is possible for any of us to reach that level.
GFM: What is the best advice you have ever received?
OT: I was once told that I will never please everyone, no matter how hard you work some people will never appreciate you, Rumors, gossip, and hate come with the territory. Hearing the word “No” isn’t always a bad thing. Pretty much learn to expect and accept the negatives and the obstacles that come with the game and you will be able to handle and adjust when it comes.