René Symonds is a NYC based manager who manages Norwegian artists/producers Lido and Trippy Turtle, international acts Cassius and The Knocks, and producers Mike Crossey, Alex Newport and more. We caught up with him prior to his upcoming trip to by:Larm.
Which challenges do you see growing in the music industry and how should they be handled?
The lack of transparency in relation to the reporting of streaming income. I don’t really know how we’re going to handle this, but in an ideal world the contracts between all the labels and streaming service provides should be opened up to members of the industry.
What are your biggest focus areas in 2015?
To work with people I like on whatever I like. There are so many great and incredibly weird artists/producers out there, that it proves that there is room for almost anything to be successful provided the team you’re working with are positive, honest and talented people.
How does a festival like by:Larm contribute to the music industry?
From my perspective it’s been a really great catalyst to the exportation of Nordic artists and development of international relationships. The internet has opened up the world, but there’s still nothing like grabbing a drink with someone living around the world and hearing about what’s musically exciting them in Norway.
Who/what are you most excited about, at this years by:Larm?
Getting to see so many of my Scandinavian friends who work in the industry… also, I hear Norway has some of the best coffee and sushi in the world.