2024 Reflections

As the year draws to a close, it’s time for some annual reflection.

2024 was brought to me by the letter C - conferences, community, collaboration, (and coffee). It marked the first full year for Equalizer Consulting, which has been exhilarating, but not without challenges faced by any small business owner.

Possibly the most noticeable thing this year was my change in perspective. For as many years as I’ve been working in music, every few years, my role changed and I was granted the opportunity to expand my view of the industry. This happened when I transitioned from catalog to frontline, from physical to digital, from product to data, and again from data to tech. This time the transition was from working within a major to taking a bet on myself as an independent. It’s a very different view over here.

Conferences

I think I attended more conferences this year than in any single year previously. Each one had a different flavor and I enjoyed them all for different reasons.

• Measure of Music - This is the first fully virtual conference that I have attended. I listened in to panels, dropped in on “roundtables”, and did some virtual speed networking (which was as delightfully awkward as it sounds). I wish I’d been able to spend more time checking out the hackathon, but that will have to be a goal for 2025.
  

• Music Biz - This is the big one. It’s busy, it’s loud, everybody is there. Listening to the panels, I realized how much work there is to do to make the information discussed available, accessible, and easily understandable to independent musicians. I’m excited to see how the vibe changes with the move to Atlanta for 2025. I already booked my hotel, so I’m mentally prepping already!
  

• Music Tectonics - As my first time checking it out, I was pleasantly surprised by what this conference had to offer. There was so much music tech innovation on display, it was hard not to be excited about new possibility and ideas. I should also mention that it was also FUN! I got to reconnect with some friendly faces and meet some really inspiring new friends.

• Production Music Conference - This was also a first time for me. I wasn’t particularly surprised that many of the commonly discussed pain points for commercially released music were also on display here. What was surprising though was the visible lack of female representation, which I hope will shift as we pay more attention to female composers and producers in this space. I really do have a soft spot for this part of the business and I plan to stay involved.

• jump.global - A conference like none of the others. Perhaps conference isn’t the right word to describe this event, but it was incredible to be in a safe and vulnerable space with my peers. I hope to see this one continue for many years to come. In times when stress and burnout is high, a moment to refresh and recharge is invaluable.

Any suggestions for something I really have to check out in the next year or two? I’m all ears.

Community

I went from a job where I’d spend 8 hours a day jumping from meeting to meeting, constantly having co-workers to talk to. Being an solopreneur, or somebody looking for a job, can be incredibly isolating without community.

What I discovered this year is that the music people, who have stuck with the industry despite its complications and flaws, are still here.

We may be in different places - some building new things, some searching for a job, some figuring out what it means to go solo. No matter what we’re doing, we’re out here supporting each other, championing each others new endeavors, giving advice, referring each other for job openings, and simply having conversations with people that need an ear.

Pictured: Speakers and experts at Music Forward “All Access Fest”

I’ve always said that music is a big little industry, where we all seem to know each other, or perhaps are only one connection away. As the industry continues to be plagued by layoffs, relying on the communities at our fingertips has allowed us to come together, collaborate in different ways, and gives me so much hope for the music industry community that we’re creating together.

I must give so much thanks to the BAK Playground, Mamas in Music, and the Lone Wolves Community (to name just a few) for being a place where independent industry folks can find and support each other.

Collaboration

At my kid’s elementary school, there is a mural on one of the hand ball courts.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve said that to this year. I firmly believe that by collaborating with each other, we will do better and bigger things. I’ve got various partnerships and collaborations in the works, which I’ll be sharing more about as they fall into place.

Just as an artist might find the perfect collaboration to make creative magic, the same can be true on the business side of things. Ultimately, it’s all about a shared mission and vision. When we bring together different outlooks, strengths, and expertise, we create opportunities to innovate and solve problems in ways that wouldn’t be possible on our own.

In addition, these collaborations continue to grow as “I’ve got somebody I’d like to introduce you to” or “you should really meet this person” are often dropped into conversation. When egos are dropped, true partnership begins.

Looking forward

The last 6 weeks of the year turned out to be so much busier than expected, sneaking up on us so quickly! I do plan to spend well deserved time with family and take a couple of weeks to continue goal setting, tying up loose ends, and getting ready to move into 2025 putting plans into action. I have no shortage of ideas, but certainly could use some extra hours in the day sometimes.

Whatever the next year holds for you, try to remember that the music community is still strong and vibrant. Find your people - they are out there and they will have your back.

For those of you that have become part of my community this year, please know that I appreciate you and I’m grateful for the role you have played in our journey.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season and this newsletter will see you next year.