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10 Questions with ... Brent Battles & Christopher Brown
September 21, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. After working with a major label and major distribution companies, we realized artists really needed to be super served and special attention needed to be given to the details that go into developing artists. By owning our own company, we have the freedom to be as creative as necessary to promote and develop artists while always keeping artists first and getting them further. -Brent Battles
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
(Brent) I began my professional music career with a stint in Radio at WWCK, WCSX, KQRS, WPLY…From there I was hired by Reprise Records in 1999 to be the Detroit Local. I was promoted to Sr. Director Of Rock and Alternative for Reprise and then moved to Los Angeles. After working in Los Angeles for several years, I took a hiatus to be a parent and raise my niece. When my niece finished high school, I got back into the Music Industry in 2013 with Sony RED/Orchard. After working with Sony RED/Orchard until December 2019, we started our own Artist Development/Promotion Company further. in January 2020 with business partner Chris Brown as a joint venture deal with Mom + Pop.
(Chris) I started my career in Finance, worked in retail, Auto Show Hosting, Education, Hotels/Hospitality, Broadcasting, and then landed on my forever job in Music. The previous career paths led me to where I am now, and laid the foundational skill set into what I am doing now. I’ve had so many different careers that have prepared me for this.
1. How did you become interested in the record business?
(Brent) Listening to music as a kid, I used to tape DJs doing breaks and then tried to emulate them. It was the enjoyment of music that got me through my high school years. Eventually, I graduated from Specs Howard School of Broadcasting in Detroit, and that Education segued into my first internship at hometown station WWCK in Flint, Michigan.
(Chris) I’ve always been interested in Music but Brent intro’d me to the real passion of the music industry…I saw his passion and relationships and realized I wanted to pursue a career in the record industry.
2. What was your big takeaway from working at RED/The Orchard?
(Brent) It really honed my skills on Artist Development by utilizing a different skill set than working at a major label. We really had to create the story and make it happen internally and organically.
(Chris) Don’t fall in love with the puppies…Sometimes the artists’ (puppies) move on to different projects and it’s hard not to get too attached. Also, try to enjoy each day and build in a little extra time in each city to enjoy while out on the road.
3. What led to starting up your Artist Development & Promotion Services company, further.? It was right before Covid. What have the latest two years been like?
(Brent) After working with a major label and major distribution companies, we realized artists really needed to be super served and special attention needed to be given to the details that go into developing artists. By owning our own company, we have the freedom to be as creative as necessary to promote and develop artists while always keeping artists first and getting them further.
(Chris) The last two years have been rewarding, fun, and an overall learning experience. Most of all it’s an opportunity to be a direct reflection of your work. Whatever work we put in comes back to us…there’s no one else but us with our hands on our steering wheel.
4. Tell us about your joint venture partnership with Mom + Pop?
(Brent) I’ll let Chris answer this one.
(Chris) We worked very closely with them when we were in the Sony RED system. With artists like Flume, Alice Merton, Lucius, and Courtney Barnett, from the very beginning we found great synergy with them, and a great professional and personal relationship built from that. further. is the brainchild of that professional relationship that has blossomed.
5. How would you describe your promotion style and how do you cover he Alternative format?
(Brent) Always kind and aggressive, but hopefully not annoying. But at the end of the day, it’s our job to get our artists up the chart. Sometimes that requires being a little bit annoying.
(Chris) My style is very personal. I get to know people and get into their space and get to know them on a personal level. I don’t work records, I work myself…
6. How does it feel to be working in the Alternative format and what does everyone need to know Milky Chance “Colorado” which is really starting to take off after two months on the Alternative chart?
(Brent) Alternative is where I started my career at Reprise. I worked with core artists like Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Disturbed, and The Used. It gave me the foundations for relationships in the Alternative space.
I’ve always been a fan of Milky Chance since “Stolen Dance” …the band has an amazing sense of humor, they are extremely kind, and fucking amazing live. I knew it was a hit from the first time I heard it. It often takes patience to work a record, and especially in this evolving world of music, it often takes time for music to connect with fans. We are very patient and when we work a song like “Colorado” to maximize its impact, sometimes that takes time and passion. You can see for yourself when they start their North American Tour, kicking off November 18th!!
(Chris) It’s a very fun format to work and doesn’t discriminate…we’ve been able to work with a variety of genres and artists from other countries just like Milky Chance. It’s a very accepting format. That’s what makes it ALT.
And as far as what you need to know? Meeting Milky Chance at BottleRock was amazing because they were so humble and have such a cool vibe. They also put on an incredible show, and rocked it from beginning to end…it was definitely one of the most talked about performances at BottleRock. Seeing that live performance put them in a league of their own, and I was blessed to get to attend and now promote Milky Chance.
7. Give us a rundown of a typical workday for you.
(Brent) Because we are a two-person team, we pull reports, get adds, call radio, set up promotions, and represent the artists at Tours/Concerts/Festivals; essentially wash, rinse, repeat…We often work 12-, 14-, or 16-hour days, especially if we are covering Tours, Festivals, or Concerts.
(Chris) Every day is different. Somedays you jump into a blender, and you get spit out. Somedays you knock it out of the park, and it comes easily. It’s hard to have a typical day…that’s part of why I love it…Covid has made our day-to-day a bit more typical since we work from home, but the overall job isn’t so typical at all.
8. What is your favorite part of the job?
(Brent) Hearing a song early and knowing it has hit potential and then promoting the hell out of it until I know my ears were right. I also love the philanthropic aspect of owning our own company and we can find the best organizations to plug in the right artists for these opportunities. We always love giving back!
(Chris) Being able to do what I love with one of my best friends…I’m passionate about people and I get to work in a field that I’m passionate about. I feel like all the boxes are checked and it doesn’t feel like work (*most of the time)
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
(Brent) Coffee and the support of my loving husband David.
(Chris) Using my Dyson Vacuum Cleaner and using my leaf blower.
10. What would surprise people the most about you?
(Brent) I love building homes for Habitat For Humanity. We are also Grandpas of 2 amazing and beautiful granddaughters.
(Chris) I pole vaulted in college. I’ve lived in 6 different states as an adult and I’m a damn good dirt bike rider.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
(Brent) I try to unplug as much as possible when I don’t have shows. Time to enjoy friends and family and cocktails. Camping on the weekends during Covid has become a new favorite pastime.
(Chris) Working on my family life and my house…. gardening, fixing things, training my dog, and remodeling the house.
What are your favorite restaurants?
(Brent) Katsuya, Sugar Fish, Bond Street…really any amazing Sushi restaurant!
(Chris) Korean BBQ
Favorite food?
(Brent) Seafood; and of course, the hand baked crab roll with avocado.
(Chris) Prosciutto
Favorite drink?
(Brent) Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives or spicy margarita (depends on the day)
(Chris) Tequila
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
(Brent) Yay sports teams!!
(Chris) L.A. Lakers because I live here, Patriots because of Tom Brady, and the Detroit Red Wings
First record ever purchased?
(Brent) Lips Inc. - Funky Town
(Chris) Hootie and the Blowfish & Tag Team - Whoop There It Is
First concert?
(Brent) Ratt and Poison
(Chris) Beach Boys at Pine Knob
Favorite band of all-time?
(Brent) Radiohead
(Chris) Jackson 5/Michael Jackson
Favorite new band over the past year that you’re not working?
(Brent) Not a band, but a new artist…Gus Dapperton
(Chris) Black Bear
Anything else you would like to add?
(Brent) Be kind to one another!
(Chris) Wear your mask and get vaccinated!
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