Josh Sundquist – Middle West Management

08/18/22 • 64 min

Tough Love: Adventures In Artist Management

For today’s episode, I get the chance to chat with a friend of mine, Josh Sundquist at Middle West Management, who just so happens to manage one of the biggest indie artists of the last several years, Justin Vernon, and his project Bon Iver.

We chat about his origins at the start of Middle West Management, and how his critical role in developing Bon Iver into an area/amphitheater act. Everything Josh and his team do with Bon Iver has so much thoughtfulness and intention behind it. They’ve carved out their own path together, and one that is to be admired and from which we all can learn as well.

Josh Sundquist – Middle West Management

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Ali Hedrick and Erik Selz – Arrival Artists

For today’s episode, we have a first in Tough Love history: Not just one, but two distinguished guests: Ail Hedrick and Erik Selz, from Arrival Artists.

Co-founded with a coalition of booking agents in the wake of the pandemic, Arrival Artists heralds the return of the boutique booking agency, after years of consolidation within that area of the industry. With a rich and diverse musical roster, ranging from Andrew Bird to Sufjan Stevens, we chat about Arrival’s beginnings, Ali and Erik’s approach to working with artists, and the challenges and opportunities born out of the pandemic.

I hope you enjoy and get as much out of this conversation as I did.

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Paul Crockford – MMF UK 30th Anniversary Edition

For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the Music Managers Forum – UK, in celebration of their 30th anniversary as an organization, creating community and acting as advocates for managers on a large number of important policies.

One of their early champions was Paul Crockford, who we speak with today.

Paul has had a rather illustrious career, first as a promoter, then begrudgingly, at first, as a manager. One of his first clients was Tears For Fears. He now looks after Mark Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame. He was also a key player in organizing the series of benefit concerts for The Prince’s Trust, including many of Britain’s legendary artists, such as Paul McCartney, Phi Collins, David Bowie, and countless others.