2017 Conference Speakers | Between The Waves Madison Music Festival & Conference

Back to top
Paul Broucek
President, Music, Warner Bros. Pictures, responsible for the overall creative direction of Warner Bros. Pictures' music operations

Paul Broucek serves as President, Music, Warner Bros. Pictures, responsible for the overall creative direction of Warner Bros. Pictures' music operations. He is charged with overseeing the department's administrative and creative production and day-to-day business functions as well as the strategic development and deployment of music-related initiatives to meet the needs of Warner Bros. Pictures' producers and directors. In addition, he has oversight of WaterTower Music, Warner Bros. Studios' in-house soundtrack label.

Prior to taking his current role at Warner Bros. Pictures in 2009, Broucek launched Common Market, a music consulting, production and publishing company specializing in productions for film, television, records, online, commercials, games and new media. Previously, he served as President, Music at New Line Cinema from 2004 to 2008, culminating 12 years at the company during which he also served as Executive Music Producer (along with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh) for the Academy Award-winning The "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy among a number of other notable titles, such as: "the Austin Powers films", "the Rush Hour film series", "Wedding Crashers", "Hairspray", "Sex and the City", "Elf", "American History X", "Wag The Dog", "Blow", "I Am Sam", "About Schmidt", "The Notebook", "Blade: Trinity, A History of Violence", "The New World", "The Golden Compass" and "Frequency".

Broucek formerly headed up Fairlight Instruments of Australia's U.S. operations before moving into the music supervision field to oversee a mix of television and feature films. Prior to that, he was on the recording staff at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, where he was a key member of the team that began the company's film scoring division and implemented the modernization and re-opening of Paramount Studios' famed Stage M. He also served as President/General Manager of The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California.

Back to top
Butch Vig
"Artist" is the single word which best describes producer, mixer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist

Born in Viroqua,Wisconsin, his parents Doc and Betty exposed Butch to a variety of music and fine arts culture during his youth. While attending the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he received a degree in filmmaking, Vig focused on experimental music composition – an area that would serve him well into the future. While at the UW, Butch jumped into the local music scene and joined the band Spooner as its drummer. Unlike most drummers, content to bang out the rhythms, Vig pursued music composition with the band and stepped behind the studio glass to shape the recorded sound as a producer.

After graduating from the UW, Butch co-founded Smart Studios and began producing and mixing albums. His perseverance as an independent producer in Madison carried far beyond Wisconsin's borders, as artists from around the country began to hear the clear, edgy, hard rock sound shaped by Butch's productions. His work with Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins and Soul Asylum in the 90s has been hailed by music critics and authors who have placed his work at the top of the decades best recordings.

Additionally, Vig has created many exciting remixes for such prominent artists as U2, Beck, Korn, Alanis Morrissette, Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. In 1995 Vig returned to performing and writing with a band he formed that goes by the name of Garbage. The multi-platinum, Grammy Nominated band has achieved worldwide critical and commercial success as it ushered in yet another new direction for rock music. Recently, Vig has produced critically acclaimed albums for Against Me, Green Day, and The Foo Fighters, winning a Grammy for their album "Wasting Light." He was recently ranked #9 on NME's Top 50 Greatest Producers Ever. In 2014, Butch produced The Foo Fighters acclaimed HBO documentary "Sonic Highways." Last year Garbage released their acclaimed 6th album "Strange Little Birds", and they are currenly recording a new album.

Back to top
Kip Winger

C F Kip Winger, the multi-platinum recording artist, may be known best for his success with Winger and his early days as a bass player with Alice Cooper. However the range and scope of his musical journey can be more fully experienced in his solo albums, This Conversation seems like a Dream, Songs from the Ocean Floor ,From the Moon to the Sun and his most recent composition Ghosts, for string orchestra. piano and harp.

In 1995, after his hugely successful run with Winger, Kip built a studio in the hills of Santa Fe, New Mexico and started writing and producing music without limits. "It was incredibly freeing to connect to music without any preconceived ideas about what it needed to be or what niche it needed to fill." It is in Kip's solo work that he has been able to exercise the breadth of his talents as a composer. London's Classic Rock Magazine called him "one of the most gifted composers and arrangers in the rock genre" and praised his "compulsion to experiment."

Over the years Kip has continued to pursue his interest in composition. He patterned his course of study after the intensive one-on-one relationships favored by many composers He sought out such masters as Edgar Grana, who holds a Masters from Juilliard, and currently teaches composition at the School of Visual Arts in New York City; University of New Mexico Professor of Theory and Composition, Richard Hermann; and Professor Michael Kurek from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. Professor Kurek has praised him for his "great ear and innate musical sensitivity" resulting in "beautifully crafted phrases and nuance."

Aside from his powerful solo acoustic shows and touring with Winger, Kip was the lead singer for the Alan parsons live project. He has performed or recorded with the likes of Alice Cooper, Mark Farner, Roger Daltrey, and Neal Schon, and Bob Dylan.

One of the most misunderstood Hard Rock bands to emerge from the 1980's returned in 2014 with their highly anticipated sixth studio album 'Better Days Comin'. Comprised of original members Kip Winger on vocals/bass, Reb Beach on guitar, Rod Morgenstein on drums, plus long-term guitarist John Roth, Winger followed up on the success of previous album 'Karma' and showcased an album that features some of their best work to date.

Winger formed in 1987 and soared to immediate success with their 1988 self-titled release. The album spawned the hit singles 'Seventeen' and 'Headed For A Heartbreak' and achieved platinum sales status. Winger also stayed on the Billboard Top 200 chart for over 60 weeks where it peaked at #21. Their next album, 'In The Heart Of The Young', also achieved platinum status and contained the singles 'Can't Get Enuff' and 'Miles Away'. The change in musical climate of the mid-90's led the band to go on hiatus in 1994. In 2001, the band reunited and have not looked back since. Winger has made a name for themselves with relentless touring, while winning back fans and critics alike because of their exceptional musicianship, Kip Winger's powerful vocals and the band's incredible songwriting.

Back to top
David Spero
CFO and Business Manager

David Spero was destined to be part of Rock and roll's history! Starting at age 13, he worked on his father Herman's Upbeat TV show holding cue cards and later serving as 'Talent Coordinator'. Upbeat was seen in over 100 cities between 1964 and 1971. He has since produced four Upbeat Live shows on Cleveland television garnering three Emmy nominations.

A radio career started in 1968 at WXEN-FM in Cleveland. Stints at WNCR, WMMS, M105 and WNCX helped establish him as a top disc jockey in the then new and emerging field of FM radio.

Hanging around with recording stars evolved into a career in artist management. David Spero Management was formed in 1973 steering the career of local icon Michael Stanley and producer Bill Szymczyk (Eagles, Who, Bob Seger etc).

David took a thirteen year break from rock and roll when he accepted a job as Managing Director/Midwest for Columbia/Tri Star Pictures. He coordinated the regional releases of such pictures as 'Ghostbusters', 'The Natural', 'Tootsie', and 'Gandhi' during his tenure.

But rock and roll came calling again in 1990 when Eagle Joe Walsh asked Spero to manage his career. He added other artists such as Harry Nilsson, Vanilla Ice, Eric Carmen and Ian Hunter. Spero produced 'The Joe Walsh/Glenn Frey Tour' which was the precursor to 'The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over Tour'.

The rigors of touring took their toll and in 2000, Spero 'retired' and accepted the position of Vice President of Programming and Education at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In this position, Spero produced the successful MTV show “Live At The Rock Hall” which aired for two seasons and featured such artists as Linkin Park, John Meyer, Godsmack, Avril Lavigne, and Alicia Keyes.

But again, antsy for that rock and roll lifestyle, David Spero Management was back in business in 2003 representing the careers of Billy Bob Thornton, hall of famer Dickey Betts, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Survivor, Nelson, Don Felder, JD Souther and The Funk Brothers. After adding Richie Furay as a client, Spero helped put together the Buffalo Springfield reunion tour. A young, up and coming band The Empty Pockets fill out the current roster along with Kenny Loggins, Marc Cohn and Simon Kirke (Bad Co).

David, 65, is a former member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Directors and was recently inducted into the Ohio Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He lives in South Euclid Ohio with his wife, Ellen, of 40 years. They have a son Adam who is a graduate of John Carroll University.

Back to top
DJ Pain 1

Known for his breakout production on Young Jeezy's platinum-selling album "The Recession," producer DJ Pain 1 stays busy. Since his debut, he has worked with artists ranging from G Herbo to Public Enemy, Mavis Staples to Ludacris. His resume includes several top ten albums, work as an educator in his community, two worldwide tours and a dedication to hip-hop growth and advocacy.

Back to top
ShaH Evans
Social Media Marketeer, Artist Manager, Blog Owner, Founder and V.P. Non For Profit, Social Entrepreneur

ShaH Evans, aka Mr Get Your Buzz Up, is an artist manager and social media influencer who manages I-20 and DJ Pain 1. He has worked with Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flocka, Curren$y, and many more. ShaH is also a community activist and has co-founded a non-profit organization that utilizes hip hop to educate within schools.

Back to top
Fett
Independent Producer / Engineer

Fett is an independent music producer and engineer, author, music career coach, co-founder of the Azalea Music Group in Nashville, and recording/mixing engineer for the 2015 Australian #1 Country Album: Jason Owen's Friday Night. He helps artists and songwriters reach their fullest sonic and emotional impact with the recordings he produces, and also teaches them how to do it themselves. Fett is the author of the popular book Fett's Mixing Roadmap: A Step-by-step Guide To Mixing Music In The Studio and host of the popular MixingMastery.com online video course. He is the former Technology Editor for Performing Songwriter magazine, and occasional journalist for CMA Close Up, Drum! and Keyboard magazines. His diverse list of clients includes Davy Jones of the Monkees, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry, and international guitar virtuosos Tommy Emmanuel and Muriel Anderson.

Back to top
Nancy Moran
Artist Development Coach

Nancy Moran is an experienced recording artist, touring singer/songwriter, and artist development coach. The co-founder of Azalea Music Group in Nashville, she teaches artists, writers, composers, and aspiring music moguls how to design, develop, and pursue their own authentic (and profitable) music careers. As an independent artist she released four solo CDs. She also released two CDs and toured nationally as a member of the musical comedy troupe The Four Bitchin' Babes. After playing everything from bars to performing arts centers for over two decades, she created UltimateBookingAndTouring.com where she teaches online to touring musicians worldwide.

Back to top
Marla Frank
CFO and Business Manager

Marla Meyer Frank is a Certified Public Accountant who has spent the past 25 years serving as the head financial and administrative guru at Madison-based Frank Productions, Inc., the largest independent concert promoter in the US. Her knowledge of concert touring, love of music, and passion for financial mentoring prompted her to start a side project in artist business management. In her role as founder and principal at Yellow Silo Business Management, she provides professional business management services to three national/international touring acts.

Back to top
Chris "Godxilla" Taylor
Recording Engineer

Born in Milwaukee in the 1970's, Chris "Godxilla" Taylor learned early on that he had an aptitude to create music. The first instrument that he learned how to play was the Trumpet at the age of 12 years old. By the age of 22, Chris was playing the Piano, Trumpet and Drums for Choirs at Jordan Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI as an accomplished musician. In that time span, Chris also began programming drum machines and learning how to use multi-track recorders. His first recording session was at Firebird Recording Studios (Milwaukee, WI) in the mid 1980's at the age of 14. This path, in tandem with his musical development lead him to launch his own imprint "Ton Of Soul Records" along with his own studio, "Alcatraz Recording Studio". Godxilla has released over 10 albums on his independent label with various artists under his music production guidance. His first solo release titled "Music is Medicine", became a Milwaukee classic with a well received single on it titled "Last Call". 2015 Godxilla walked away from his positions in education and the Arts Commission in Madison, Wisconsin. He took his family to Los Angeles, California in search of new challenges and paths in life. He currently is recording and mixing in the greater Los Angeles area and has taken on field production as a new endeavor.

Back to top
Dexter Patterson
Social and Digital Media Specialist

As an artist, Dexter "Tefman" Patterson has been featured in major publications such as XXL Magazine, Hip-Hop Weekly, All Hip-Hop.com, The Source.com, Yo Raps!, and Shade 45. Tef has shared stages with a stellar list of major artists including T.I., Wiz Khalifa, Ludacris, Wale, Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs, Super Bob, Gorilla Zoe, Three 6 Mafia, Nelly, Twista, Mac Lethal, Chris Webby, Zion I, and Devin, the Dude. He's also had the privilege of recording records with industry heavyweights such as Academy Award winner Juicy J, Bizzy Bone and I-20 of DTP.

Currently, Tefman plays in the award-winning Rap/Rock band Dogs of War. Outside of music, Tefman loves working with people, digital technology, and social media. His hands-on experience working as an entrepreneur in the music industry and as the Social and Digital Media Specialist for a 3 billion dollar company in the corporate world will offer insights that will help take your music career to the next level.

Back to top
Ben Sidran

Ben Sidran has been a major force in the modern day history of jazz and rock and roll, having played keyboards with or produced such artists as Van Morrison, Diana Ross, Michael Franks, Rickie Lee Jones, Mose Allison and Steve Miller.

It's been a long and varied journey for Sidran—from playing boogie-woogie piano as a six year old in Racine, Wisconsin, leaning into his jazz records, "literally like an Eskimo huddled around a fire," to growing up to play boogie-woogie piano around the world. Despite the reality that he is better known in Europe and Japan than in America—a fact of life for most jazz musicians—Ben Sidran is an American success story.

A jazz pianist of international renown, lyricist of a rock classic, award-winning national broadcaster, record and video producer, scholar, author, journalist, and father to a second generation musical prodigy, Sidran makes your average Renaissance man look like a slacker.

Back to top
Craig Anderton

Craig Anderton is an internationally-recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered over 20 major label recordings, did pop music session work in New York in the 1970s on guitar and keyboards, played Carnegie Hall, and more recently, has mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists.

As an author, he has written 26 books on musical electronics and over a thousand articles for magazines like Electronic Musician, Keyboard, Sound on Sound (UK), Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, and several European publications. He co-founded "Electronic Musician" magazine in the mid-80s and continues to write for several magazines and websites.

Craig has also been a pioneer in the online community—his "Sound, Studio, and Stage" forum has been going continuously since 1995, amassing over a million posts during that time. It's now being hosted on www.harmonycentral.com, where Craig holds the position of Editorial Director.

Known for his ability to de-mystify complex technical topics, Craig has lectured on technology and the arts in 38 states, 10 countries, and three languages. He maintains an active career doing mastering, writing, video production, mixing, and performing; he is currently an Executive Vice President at Gibson Brands.

Back to top
Martin Atkins

Martin Atkins is the definition of entrepreneurial activity in cultural arts endeavors.

His three decades in the music business spans across genres, borders and industries. Having experience in nearly every aspect of record production and promotion has given Martin a unique perspective not only on where the music industry is currently, but where it is going in the future.

After playing drums in a variety of English bands, Martin auditioned for and subsequently joined Johnny Rotten’s Public Image Limited in 1979. His first contribution to the band was cowriting and performing on the song “Bad Baby” for the revered Metal Box LP. After touring the world with P.i.L and contributing to several more studio albums Martin left the group in 1985. Over the next five years, he played with and managed Killing Joke and toured with Ministry. In 1990, while on tour with Ministry, he formed his own band, Pigface. He also worked with Nine Inch Nails, performing on the Grammy award winning “Wish” and appearing in the “Head like a Hole” video.

Martin began working on the business side of music in 1988 when he formed Invisible Records and then Mattress Factory Studios in 1996. Over two decades Invisible has released over 350 albums and has had placements spanning from the original Miami Vice to Showtime’s Queer as Folk to Robert Altman’s The Company.

Atkins wrote his book Tour:Smart in 2007 and has since spoken around the world at major industry conferences, recognized universities, and nonprofit organizations. His distinguished speaking resume includes: SXSW, Warped Tour, CMJ, New Music Seminar, Unconvention, NAMM, By:Larm, Dfest, USC, Drexel, Virginia Commonwealth University, Full Sail, Weiden + Kennedy, Chicago Cultural Center and many more.

Atkins currently teaches at SAE Chicago leading courses on Touring, Advanced Entrepreneurship, Artist and Event Management, and Online Marketing. When he’s not teaching,you can find him on the road, consulting with artists and organizations, or working on his next book, Band:Smart.

He is a father of four boys and lives with his wife, Katrina, in Chicago.

Back to top
Beth Kille

Beth Kille is a 22-time Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) award winning artist from Madison, WI who has been cranking out Americana-Rock tunes since 2000. From solo house concerts to full-band festival shows, her love for the stage and genuine passion for performance shine through in all settings. Kille's stage prowess was recognized in 2011 when she received Artist of the Year honors at the Madison Area Music Awards. She has also been honored twice with the MAMA for Female Vocalist of the Year ('06, '10) and was nominated for Singer- Songwriter of the Year in 2014 and for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2017 by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI).

Staunchly committed to the advancement of young musicians and songwriters of all ages, Kille works as the Music Director for Girls and Ladies Rock Camp Madison, hosts Madison’s Chick Singer Night and is an engineer/producer at Studio Gusto, where she specializes in recording/producing records for new artists. She is sought out for her songwriting and music industry knowledge from both private students and in the workshop setting.

She's thrilled to be a part of the Between the Wave Madison Music Festival + Conference - both as a performer in Chick Singer Night Madison at 7pm on Friday, June 16th at the Brink Lounge and as a workshop instructor for "Music Theory for Songwriters."

Back to top
Sue Baker

Sue Baker became a close friend of Les Paul the last ten years of his life. In addition to hearing hours of stories from the master inventor and performer, Sue visited his home on several occasions, attended his performances and helped with several projects for Les. In 2011, she was one of the first people on staff at the Les Paul Foundation. In her current role, she works closely with schools, museums and other organizations that receive funding from the Foundation and helps them share the legacy of Les Paul. The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation and medical research related to hearing.

Back to top
Jonathan Suttin

Jonathan Suttin has been waking up Madison for 18 years on 1055 Triple M as the less talented half of Jonathan & Kitty in the morning. He has hung around long enough to become the Music Director and Assistant Program Director. Jonathan is the primary host of Live from Studio M sessions and has interviewed hundreds of musicians including Sting, Ed Sheeran, KT Tunstall, The Head and The Heart, Vance Joy as well as many others he can't remember while he's typing this bio. Jonathan is also a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism.

Back to top
Jim Reith

Jim will be talking about "Composing Original/Custom Music for Ads". Ever seen an ad on TV and said “I could write a better music track than that?” Original music for ads can be a very lucrative and fulfilling career. The challenges of breaking into the business, pricing to succeed, keeping musical integrity, and managing production issues will all be discussed.

Back to top
Michael Brandmeier

Michael Brandmeier is an authentic, acoustic folk/pop artist whose music is being heard around the globe. His songs and tracks have been featured in many Film/TV shows, he’s garnered many independent awards from IAMA named Michael "BEST MALE ARTIST" to winning a Los Angeles Music Award for the "MALE SINGER/SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR".

2015 alone brought Michael over 100 song track placements in of Film/TV projects from NBC's hit series THE VOICE, THE NATE BERKUS SHOW on ABC, Private Lives Of Nashville Wives” on TNT, MTV's shows, even off beat shows like, TOSH.2.0, AMERICAN PICKERS, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, The Lucas Grabeel of old, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL fame, Indie Film "THE ADVENTURES OF FOODBOY" on DISNEY EUROPE or as it plays HIGH SCHOOL HERO as it plays ON DEMAND here in the US, to the past hits like the SHOWTIME series SOUL FOOD, VH1's series TOUGH LOVE, to NBC'S hit soap opera, PASSION'S, QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY to the hit TV series DAWSON'S CREEK, PARTY OF FIVE, JOAN OF ARCADIA, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE and more. His song "RETURNING HOME" was also featured in a Jerry Bruckheimer TV drama on CBS called MIAMI MEDICAL.

Back to top
Ken Vandevrie

Ken is a recognized leader in complete media production and specifically Music Composition for Film, Television Broadcast and Corporate clientele. Trained as a classical pianist in Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 and Grade 2 Practical Theory, he has over 25 years of digital composition and programming experience. He composes and produces music for TV, Libraries and film projects used around the world.

Back to top
Matt Smith

Matt Smith is a composer and engineer who has written or co-written nearly 1500 pieces of production music. His work has been licensed for TV and film on every major network, as well as the majority of cable networks, both domestically and internationally. His songs have been used in shows such as Saturday Night Live, the 2016 Rio Olympics, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, The X Games, Inside Amy Schumer, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Key and Peele, The New Girl, and The Office. He currently teaches audio production and library music composition at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Back to top
Ty Christian

Ty Christian (better known as his on-stage persona Fang VonWrathenstein of the band Lords of the Trident) has been playing in, touring with, and managing bands for 18 years. In addition to his active musical projects, he volunteers as the creative media director for the Madison Area Music Association, writes a popular monthly DIY music column called "Words of Fang", and teaches Tae Kwon Do in the Madison area. Ty has recorded, mixed, and published multiple records of his own material as well as performed as a guest vocalist on numerous heavy metal recordings from all over the world. He is excited to share his innovative DIY approach to the music business at the Between the Waves conference!

Back to top
Sybil Augustine

I have broad experience in many areas of the music industry, as well as arts and nonprofit organizations. I have substantial direct experience with community radio, nonprofit and collective management and artist/venue promotion, booking and management.

I work with an emphasis on diversity, access and education for all interested members of the listening community. My interests focus on media reform, nonprofit broadcast management and hands-on radio experience. I'm interested in the development of alternative media coalitions in under-served areas, especially involving women and people of color. I'm also continually working with artists and performance spaces to create innovative, spontaneous and unique underground events and installations.

Specialties: Hiring and training of paid staff and volunteers; collective management; broad, sweeping knowledge of music genres, artists and labels; technical, computer and broadcast engineering skills; consensus-based decision making; meeting facilitation; long-range planning and implementation; broadcast industry consultant, panelist and session facilitator.

Back to top
Ben Hans

Ben Hans is a musician and music instructor who keeps a busy performance schedule performing many genres of music. Ben performs as a freelance artist, who cut his teeth performing under the tutelage of Jazz Guitarist Jack Grassel and the late Swing Clarinetist Chuck Hedges.

Ben has shared the stage with a diverse list of artists such as singer/songwriter/composer and Grammy nominated C. F. Kip Winger. Legendary Rudimentalists John S. Pratt, Mitch Markovich, the great Jazz Pianist Barry Harris, celebrated Saxophonists Eric Morones, Johnny Padilla and Jesse Lee Montijo, Jazz Guitarists Scott DuBois, Jeff Schroedl and Steve Peplin. Guitar virtuosos Reb Beach, John Roth, Jorge Salan and Donnie Wayne Smith as well as rock vocalist Fiona Flanagan. Ben has also performed alongside many great regional jazz artists such as Rick Embach, Berkeley Fudge, Tom McGirr, Pete Billman, Aaron Gardner, John Babbitt, Michael Arnold, Kirk Tatnall, Mark Solveson, Jeannine Rivers, Swing Nouveau, and many more.

As an educator, Ben is currently teaching Music Business at SAE Institue in Nashville, TN. Past teaching positions include Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Back to top
Matt Scherer

Born in Las Vegas, a city known for its entertainment, it seems only right he found his way into this business of music. Matthew graduated from McNally Smith College of Music, located in Saint Paul, MN, with a B.A. in Music Business but his journey didn't begin there. His entrance into the music industry began with work in live entertainment through nationally renowned venue chain The Knitting Factory (Reno) and continued in relocating to MN and working for the one and only First Avenue & 7th St Entry. His experience with live entertainment extends far beyond that into festival work and stage management with Stone Arch Bridge Music and Arts Festival, Summer Set Music Festival, and volunteer work for Solstice Sound, Reno Moon Lighting and Sound, The Bounce Festival, Infrasound Music Festival, The Current’s Rock the Cradle and Rock the Garden, Soundset Music Festival, and Pitchfork Music Festival.

Matthew moved beyond live entertainment to do more work behind the scenes when he began working promotions for Tinderbox Music in Minneapolis, MN, a company with expertise in the fields of college radio, press, TV licensing and distribution. Matthew’s work focuses on college radio promotion and TV licensing. At Tinderbox Music, Matthew has worked with hundreds of artists in helping to get their music heard both on the airwaves and on TV. Licensing work includes placements with notable television networks such as MTV, E!, A&E, TLC, Discovery, NASCAR, FOX Sports and VICE.

But wait… there’s more. Matthew also performs under the moniker TRNSTYL, a group based out Minneapolis, MN. The group has performed all across the Midwest and has made their way onto many notable bills and festivals for their unique electronic heavy bass, hip hop sound.

2017 Speakers