After what seems like forever of reorganizing my life (changed apartment, changed city, changed jobs, graduated), things are settling down and I will soon have time to make my way to a decent show.
Until then, visit www.Do312.com, Chicago’s new concert & entertainment guide. It’s like Do512 for non-southern huge bug co-existing people.
If you don’t feel like typing in all of the bands you like for your profile, check out the Tastemakers, then follow The Windish Agency. If you like electro music, you’ll like almost everything they list.
Now would be a good time to mention I have recently begun interning at The Windish Agency. Now would also be the time to announce nothing I say or type represents the company, but is solely my opinion. My opinion is that most of their artists are wonderful – check them out too.
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: 4AD, Animal, Brookvale Records, Carousel, Crime In Stereo, Crystalised, Drugwolf, Mike Snow, Paper Route, Small Skeletal, The Big Pink, The Windish Agency, The xx, Universal Records, Velvet, Young Turks Records
In the midst of the everyone-loves-Gaga fad, I have found myself obsessed with a few bands of my own lately. That being said, none of them are Lady Gaga. While these are not exactly brand new to the scene, I thought I’d share:
The Big Pink
Specs: Electro-rock duo from London
Label: 4AD
Paper Route
Specs: 4-piece indie band from Nashville, TN
Label: Universal Records
The xx
Specs: Wandsworth (London-ish) indie-electro 4-piece
Label: Young Turks Records, The Windish Agency (booking)
Miike Snow
Specs: Dancy Swedish 3-piece
Label: The Windish Agency (booking)
Crime In Stereo
Specs: Long Island punk 5-piece
Label: Brookvale Records
*Keep an eye out for their new album drop on 2/23 featuring Drugwolf!
What has been your obsession lately?
Filed under: Feature, Reviews | Tags: Chromeo, Green Label Sound, Montreal, Nettwerk, Night By Night, The Windish Agency
I may be a little late hopping on this bandwagon, but I thought it was worth sharing for those of you who haven’t heard it yet. As I was shuffling through compilation tracks on iTunes, I came across a gem. The gem is named Chromeo, a Montreal duo managed by Nettwerk and booked by The Windish Agency. Their newest release, Night By Night, is a fine mixture of soul, 70s and electro. As we near the 14th I know of no other lyrics that say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ quite like: “You say I’m not romantic, I say you’re too dramatic.”
To download the track for free, visit Green Label Sound.
Filed under: Notes From the Industry | Tags: Animal Collective, Billboard, Billions Corporation, Booking Agency Directory, Boutique Booking Agency, Chicago, Girl Talk, Matt & Kim, New York City, Social Mention, The Windish Agency, Tom Windish, Twendz
Currently listening to: Crystal Castles – Vanished
In the ever-revising music industry, it is becoming increasingly difficult for musicians to find a promotion powerhouse with artist-focused motives. The Windish Agency, a Chicago-based booking company, is the exception. With a roster of over 200 artists over a span of seven countries, this inventive team makes professional relationships and clients’ success their priority. Tom Windish, the owner of the agency, started his endeavor with the intentions of signing only indie bands, and only those that had music that caught his ear for talent in addition to having personable managers and publicists. It is this innovative thinking that earned The Windish Agency the number one place on Billboard’s The Indie Issue: The Visionaries and nominated for the Boutique Booking Agency of the Year in 2008.
With artists like Girl Talk, Animal Collective and Matt & Kim gaining popularity, as well as a laundry list of over-seas acts dying to play shows in the Big Apple, it only makes sense that The Windish Agency make a home for themselves there. That is why in January, Tom Windish announced the early February opening of their second branch, located in New York City.
So, how is the media reacting? Industry friends such as Billboard, No Door Agency, The Rock Garden and IOU Music are eager to spread the word. To what extent? Take a look at this:
In just a week’s time, the agency has achieved a 6% reach throughout the social media world. One can assume this is because Windish, who started with a lawn mowing company in high school, graduated to an agent at Billions Corporation, then began The Windish Agency in his apartment in 2004, is a man with endless experience, connections and drive. And while his goal is not to take over record labels’ territory, he does sense room for growth in the agency’s role:
“These days I think agencies are fulfilling a lot of roles that used to be handled by record labels or managers” said Windish in his 2010 interview with the Booking Agency Directory.
Bold. And it is this type of break from tradition that provides propellant to my ongoing inquisition: what will be the future model of the music industry?
