TSC Behind The Corona | Agents

TSC Behind The Corona | Agents

With the global coronavirus pandemic, the music industry, as we know it, is being challenged. The life-threatening disease and the enacted social distancing is resulting in the cancellation of live shows, depriving the whole music industry of one of their main sources of income, and music lovers of an escapism ritual that was deeply engraved in their routines.

Amongst others that cannot physically do their job, the Clubs, Promoters, DJs, Agents and Bookers are particularly fragile and we hope with these series of interviews and articles, to raise more awareness on why and how you can support your local music community.

You can in-directly support artists agents and agencies by supporting djs, clubs and  promoters:

• Not asking for refunds on tickets bought
• Donating to their crowdfunding campaigns
• If you cannot afford to donate, share their crowdfunding campaigns with your network

The music industry needs our help! On the other side of this crisis, a lot of great quarantine music awaits us, to be blasted on your local club’s speakers.

In part three of our TSC Behind The Corona interview series, we spoke with agents and agencies owners:

• Zac Bidwell – Eureka Artists (Artist & Label PR)
• Patricia Altisent – Owner of Transmat Agency
• Antonio Boldrini – Uncage, Tenax
• Daniel Jimenez Catala – Dskonnect booking agency sl
• Patricia Klein – BCB Family GmbH, Munic (GE)

read part one 'tsc behind the corona - clubs & promoters'

read part two 'tsc behind the corona - djs'

 

How has the coronavirus pandemic affected you and your work? Are all of your plans for rest of 2020 cancelled?

Zac Bidwell 
The virus has had a knock on effect across the whole industry, in various different ways. Many readjustments have been made, and new methods brought in to place, however, a big positive of all of this is platforms, artists etc all joining forces for these new methods. We are working with many artists who had hectic tour schedules in the build up to summer, and throughout the year, so this has affected the types of press we are pushing for. We have to bring our focus heavily on pushing releases during this time, this has not proved to be an issue because so much amazing music is being made right now!

Patricia Altisent
Most of the events until Summer have been cancelled or postponed for later this year but it doesn’t look very realistic to think we will be able to hold mass events anytime soon. I think it’s realistic to think that our industry will be on of the last to pick up . I expect this to be a very difficult time for at least 12-18 months.

Daniel Jimenez Catala
Yes, all bookings from mid march 2020 are cancelled and it has affected hugely our company as all the work done during months and for the next months is now void and we have no income forecast for the rest of the year.

Patricia Klein
Visions and strategic plans for the next year(s) worked out with Management Agency’s and Artist’s are cancelled.

Antonio Boldrini
Q4 is still on the table, so let’s see!

 

What measures have you taken in the aftermath of the pandemic? How do you plan for the future?

Zac Bidwell 
For us we always remained positive, keeping the wheels in motion, exploring new ideas and a maintaining satisfaction for our artists, and labels. We will continue to steer our way through this small chapter of our lives, and just pray this is all over sooner rather than later. We are looking to build new relationships and partnerships, so we can all come out of this situation on top.

Patricia Altisent
I acted immediately , securing financing for the next 12-18 months. We really can’t change the situation but we can change how we react to it. We are now checking with each artist individually which is the best way to stay in touch with fans and try to give something back to our scene.

Daniel Jimenez Catala
ERTE which means suspension of all of our employees contracts, plus zero salary for me and my company partner, plus stand by all the external services we usually contract every month.

Patricia Klein
I love my job and I am burning for every individual, every artist and every vision I am working with. That’s the passion which impacts my life. That’s the passion which impacts the life of all artists. We are responsible to keep it safe, now! Otherwise the pandemic will impact us and our passion will die.

Antonio Boldrini
Moving our focus on masterclass, webinar, online classes and virtual parties online.

 

Are you looking into any kind of support from, from the local municipality, government or private sponsors? 

Zac Bidwell 
No, we are continuing as we were before the pandemic.

Patricia Altisent
As a Swiss company we have some basic support from our government. Some other local support for Culture seems to be forthcoming, but very limited so far. Best not to count on it.

Daniel Jimenez Catala
We applied for an ICO credit in Spain but we’re still awaiting the approval. Yes we’re looking for support and financial help, but there haven’t been yet any plans or orders confirmed so we keep looking into it.

Patricia Klein
No.

 

Most importantly – how can music fans or artists support you in these hard times?

Zac Bidwell 
I think from our PR perspective it is more important to ask how we can support artists during this time, aiming to offer our services where possible, the best way we know how.

Patricia Altisent
Artist need to adapt and they can help us by producing music and not giving up. Fans can help joining in experiments that will be launched around entertainment . They can also help by following and discovering my artists under our webpage : www.transmatagency.com

Daniel Jimenez Catala
Difficult question as big players/headline artists are more visible and have an easier position to monetize their streamings and digital work, but for a booking agency all we can do is to expect plans for support and reactivity of the economy from the government and we cross fingers for the clubs to be able to work asap. Our role is less visible and less protected than festival owners and big headline acts and I hope it will get the support of the industry as soon as we can come back to normal business activity.

Patricia Klein
Our Artist have no income at the Moment, the government is not looking for a long-term concept regarding a financial support. Maybe we could all spend money (only that what you are able to give or you spend a part of your money you normally pay for a festival ticket(s)). Furthermore and the importing thing: our artists needs mental support, check their streaming’s on social media. Let them know that they are still alive and loved by their fans. All artists played their intense sets for us, we were catchend by a special feeling. Now it’s our turn to give them and share something special back.

Antonio Boldrini
Staying alive!

 

Anything you’d like to say to the clubbers and the electronic music community?

Zac Bidwell 
Keep on doing an amazing job of staying at home, making new music, playing records, planning your label or whatever it is you may be doing, and lets all come back from this stronger than ever :)

Patricia Altisent
Together with fans we need to figure out what the future of entertainment is. How do we make it safe ? How do we make it interactive. What is the role of physical spaces vs online? How can we make it affordable? The human kind will always have a need for culture and entertainment. What is changing is the context. We have to work together to fit our needs with what is possible from a safety and economic viewpoint in the next months and years.

I would also like to mention that we have some extra time these days to listen to new music, exchange ideas and words with people, who are not feeling well or can’t find any motivation. You can write to us : consultancy@transmatrecords.com

A little gift for your readers :

• Molecule : New DJ set made during this quarantine

 

• IVA : set recorded on NYE in NYC at Cityfox Experience

 

• Soel : and his latest track “Fiorire d’Inverno” on the Afterlife Compilation: UNITY 

• Derrick MAY : Live recording of his set last year in Corse

 

Daniel Jimenez Catala
Keep calm and stay united. And in a personal way, claim to expand solidarity and to fight for more protection and visibility in our community.

Patricia Klein
Safe your passion and what you are burning for!

Antonio Boldrini
Keep strong and positive!

 

Thank you for the interview Zac Bidwell, Patricia Altisent, Daniel Jimenez Catala, Patricia Klein and Antonio Boldrini!

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Cover Photo Mantas Hesthaven