The Industry Connection

Today’s Call Log:

• Coachella is off to its slowest on sale in 10+ years.

  • From 2014 to 2022, tickets sold out in as fast as 40 minutes (2015) to as “long” as 4 hours (2022). 2023 saw sales dip, taking the festival a handful of days to sell out Weekend 1.

  • As of Thursday morning (6 days into the on-sale), 2 of the 3 tiers for Weekend 1 remain available, with all 3 tiers of Weekend 2 still up for grabs.

• Coachella isn’t the only festival that saw slow sales over the weekend.

  • “It’s taking longer and longer for the buzziest Sundance movies to find distributors” according to Variety as part of their 2024 Sundance Film Festival takeaways.

• Apple Music to pay Artists up to 10% higher in royalties for music available in spatial audio.

• The EU is calling for new rules to bring more transparency to music-streaming, including recommendation algorithms and making it clear if a song was created by AI.

• India is on track to become the world’s biggest music streaming market this year, overtaking the US.

Interview with Deron Delgado, Label Manager at Dirtybird Records

Since 2015, Delgado has managed the label’s day-to-day operations, and helped label head Claude VonStroke shape and execute the label’s vision across their releases, events, festivals, merch, and more. Under Delgado’s direction as Label Manager, Dirtybird has released hundreds of records from established and rising house and techno stars, including John Summit, FISHER, Nikki Nair, Walker & Royce, Catz N Dogz, and more. Delgado also acts as the Talent Buyer for Dirtybird’s iconic in-house events and festivals. Now a part of EMPIRE Records since the label’s acquisition in 2022, Delgado has taken on an even larger leadership role.

AvA: How did you get involved in the business side of music? 

Delgado: I wanted to be a DJ in the late 90s, and went to school and got my Bachelors in Audio Engineering in 2000 thinking that I would learn more about being a professional DJ, but once I got in the program I realized the two have very little in common. So I had no desire to record bands or sweep floors in recording studios for a living, so I started a vinyl label while I was still in school, Good Family Recordings. Our claim to fame was that we put out Joey Youngman’s first two records ever when he was a teenager still – you might know him as his current alias, Wolfgang Gartner.

In 2004, digital files were starting to bubble up, so my partner and I started a digital download site called Stompy.com (we threw a party in SF for many years under that name). Beatport came out in January 2004 and we came out in March of 2004. They were techno and we were underground house. My partner dealt with the engineers & accounting, and my job was to do all the deals with labels and distributors. I had no legal degree, and “DSP” wasn’t even a word at that time - it was just a lot of trial by fire, since a lot of the challenge was just to convince labels to even put their catalog online, since everyone was making money from vinyl & CDs.

In 2013, I started the sister company to Berlin’s Paradiese Distribution, so as the Managing Director I dealt with all aspects of the business, in addition to signing labels for distribution.

In parallel I became the label manager of Dirtybird in 2015 as well, so my job was to reformat the label from the organization, business, A&R and publishing side of things from the ground up. I also became the talent buyer for all of our events - Dirtybird Campout, BBQs, CampINN etc.

AvA: How has the role of a label evolved over the course of your career? 

Delgado: It used to be that artists couldn’t even put out music unless they were on a label, and the label had a lot more responsibility in actually breaking the act - with PR, promo, distribution network, etc. Artists couldn’t even get a distribution deal to put their music out, so they had to get their music signed.

It also helped being on a label that does events like Dirtybird, Defected, etc, because then you can perform at the shows, go on the label tours etc.

Then it became much easier to start a label (pretty much all you need nowadays is a square jpg for a logo and you can have yourself a label). So now artists are all starting their own brands, throwing their own parties. and putting out music themselves. 

AvA: Can you talk about the ways you are seeing Artists stand out in a landscape that is more competitive than ever? 

Delgado: As cliche as it sounds, authenticity is still key. If you try to sound like someone else, then it’s not going to make as big of an impact. 

Also being able to tell your ‘story’ in a way that will get people to connect with you, since getting people to relate to you will have a lasting impression. 

For example, Barclay Crenshaw is doing his 80 days to make an album, where he recorded himself every single day, posted that on his stories & YouTube and talks about the process. Some days were really hard to get motivated to work, and people can identify with that, just like a day where everything was clicking, people can identify with that as well.

AvA: The Dirtybird brand has cultivated one of the most passionate and close-knit communities in music. Can you talk about the impact that Dirtybird events have had?

Delgado: We always want to do more than just have speakers in a room and call it a party. Even when we started the free parties in Golden Gate Park, Grill$on (RIP) would bring free tacos to anyone that wanted them. For Dirtybird Campout, we had camp games where fans can play with artists that were playing the festival. Our BBQ parties had talent shows and other activations so fans can get involved. In Los Angeles on Feb 1st, we’re doing a Farmers Market theme, with vendors, free tattoos, etc.

All of these events had DJs and performers, but opposed to everyone just standing and staring at them on a stage, we create an environment where the community can interact with artists, staff, and most importantly, each other.. which creates a space where genuine connections get made.

AvA: 3 artists we should be listening to: 

Walker & Royce - If you haven’t been listening to these guys, then you’re missing out on one of the most talented artists in electronic music. We’re in the rollout mode for their sophomore album, “No Big Deal”, and the production level these guys have is outstanding. 

Justin Jay - Justin is one of the most innovative and inspiring artists I have the pleasure to work with. He will make a 100bpm singer/songwriter track with a full band, do a 150bpm remix of some crazy pop song, remix a tech house track from Patrick Topping, and then get artists like Skrillex and John Summit to show up to a 50 person afterparty to play b2b with him. 

Cour T. We’ve been putting out his music since he was only 17, and it’s amazing to see how his talent progresses. His album, “Brain Deals,” came out last year and is a great album to both listen and dance to.

AvA: What is one piece of advice you have for someone just getting started in the music industry? 

Delgado: If you want to make this a career, you have to REALLY love it. It takes time and patience to weave your way through this crazy culture, and be prepared to cultivate many different types of skills and revenue streams. Relationships are key - so don’t be an asshole.

But there’s a reason people want to be in the music business…..because if you are able to make it a career, it’s the absolute fucking best.

Open Jobs and Internships

💼 = Job | 🎒 = Internship

💼 Coordinator, Music Production - Paramount Pictures - LA - Apply here

💼 Tour Marketing Manager - Wasserman - London - Apply here

💼 Acquisition Marketing Lead - Bandsintown - Remote (Candidate must be in CA, FL or NY - Apply here

💼 Assistant, Business Affairs - Kobalt - NYC - Apply here

💼 Digital Marketing Director - EMPIRE - SF - Apply here

💼 Content Creator - Warner Music U - D.C. - Apply here

💼 Talent Buyer, Concerts - Insomniac - LA - Apply here

💼 Community Engagement Coordinator (Marketing) - Insomniac - LA - Apply here

💼 A&R Assistant - Prescription Songs - LA - Apply here

💼 Agent Assistant - Arcade Talent Agency - London - Apply here

💼 Assistant to Talent Agent - Reliant Talent Agency - Nashville - Apply here

🎒 Social Media Intern - Helix Records/Ultra Publishing - NY or LA - Email [email protected] to apply

🎒 Social Media Intern - OnlyFamily - LA - Apply here

🎒 Venue Nation Apprenticeship Program - Live Nation - Various locations - Designed to provide hands-on learning experiences for those who are interested in careers in the live entertainment industry - Apply here 

🎒 Summer Intern, Music Programming Operations - SiriusXM - Apply here for NY or LA or Nashville

🎒 Contemporary Music Intern - Endeavor - LA - Apply here for LA or NYC

🎒 PR & Promo Intern - Insomniac - LA - Apply here

🎒 Marketing Intern - Insomniac - LA - Apply here

🎒 HR Intern - Insomniac - LA - Apply here

My favorite away message this week:

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This newsletter is written by Warner Bailey (connect with me here). Edited by Malik Figaro. 

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