Headliner Mindset

REALMUSIC EVENTS - How To Get Booked By Your Local Promoter

August 19, 2024 • Nik Cherwink

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RealMusic Events is a dance music promotion company that has been throwing parties in Austin, TX for over 15 years. They run the city's largest dance music venue, The Concourse Project, and also throw one of the biggest house and techno music festivals in the country, Seismic Dance Event.

In this episode we talk about what promoters are looking for, how to get booked, best practices for networking, the electronic music scene in Austin and more.

Follow them here:
https://www.instagram.com/realmusicevents
https://www.instagram.com/theconcourseproject
https://www.instagram.com/seismicdanceevent
https://www.instagram.com/thekellygray_
https://www.instagram.com/djandrewparsons

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

Final Andrew Cam:

especially if you're trying to make a name for yourself locally, like getting out there saying what's up just making yourself known in a way and then like, that repetition definitely helps and just showing your support for promoter, wherever you are, showing that you care about what's going on and that you're there supporting and that, Hey, I want to DJ too, you know, it's just, it's like a reciprocal kind of a thing,

Nik:

What's up everybody. Welcome to the headliner mindset podcast. Today's guests have been throwing dance music parties in Austin, Texas for more than 15 years. They run a venue called the concourse project, which I've had many, many incredible nights at, and they also throw one of the largest techno and house music festivals in the country seismic dance event. This is Kelly and Andrew from real music events.

Final Nik Cam:

Andrew and Kelly. Welcome to the show. Yeah. Stoked to have you guys here. Uh, stoked to have you guys here in person. I'm so excited to be able to do more of these interviews like in person. It's so different and so fun. So appreciate y'all driving down. I also appreciate you guys for throwing really, really incredible shows here in Austin. I moved to Austin two years ago, two and a half years ago, spent a lot of time in LA, which is obviously, you know, big, crazy, wild scene out there coming out here. I was so pleasantly surprised with how alive and vibrant the dance music scene and culture is. And that's like, yeah.

Final Kelly Cam:

a huge

Final Nik Cam:

because of what you guys are doing with the concourse project with your promotion company. So first off, just thank you for all the fucking awesome nights out. Like I've had so much fun on the dance floor getting down. So appreciate you both.

Final Andrew Cam:

So what's all about?

Final Nik Cam:

Hell yeah. Hell

Final Kelly Cam:

actually fundamental when people decide where they're moving to, like when that's important to you, you need to check out the scene. So it's actually always cool to hear that from people like they choose to move here because of the scene and the types of shows that are here. And otherwise they probably wouldn't come to a place

Final Andrew Cam:

and

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah. And I, I was kind of getting out of the music industry for a while. And I actually came here for the coaching scene, like the personal development transformational space. Like the coaching industry is huge in Austin. Um, and then obviously, you know, live music is big here, but I was really pleasantly just surprised to be like, Oh, the, the scenes kind of pop in here too.

Final Andrew Cam:

of popping here. Got my brain thinking, but no, that's the coaching thing and stuff. And I think that is a big thing, but music obviously is a big thing that we've worked on for a long time. But now I'm like, those actually would be really good together. There should be more people like talking to more musicians because being a musician and all stuff is very hard. Yeah. And coaching and stuff like that for people. But anyway,

Final Nik Cam:

yeah, no, a hundred percent. I know we haven't all really connected yet, so you guys are like deeply. So you guys are probably like, who the fuck is this dude that like is asking me to be on their podcast, but

Final Kelly Cam:

It's

Final Nik Cam:

kind of, it's kind of really what, what I'm doing is like, I worked in the industry for a long time, but I also had a, just a passion for personal development and was always, you know, like,

Final Andrew Cam:

uh,

Final Kelly Cam:

just

Final Nik Cam:

Helping people naturally and realizing along the way is like, navigating this artist journey is hard. It's emotional. It's stressful. The business, there's no game plan. There's no like rules. There's no, there's no strategy book. And I'm just sort of naturally found myself. Kind of carving out that lane of like, all right, let's, let's, let's bring those worlds together. Really my two passions together. So it's been a, it's been a fun thing to be a part of.

Final Kelly Cam:

right timing for that, too.

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah. We need it. You know, whether it's someone that's starting off or also I'm, I'm really starting to work more with like the bigger artists that are, they're touring nationally or internationally and just the, the stress that comes with that lifestyle.

Final Kelly Cam:

events people don't realize I mean you can gauge an artist that's traveling all the time That's really hard. Um,

Final Andrew Cam:

I wouldn't be able to do

Final Nik Cam:

You can see it on their face. Yeah.

Final Andrew Cam:

their face. I mean, there's a, like we, we had, um, was it Don Diablo recently or whatever? And like, I mean, last time we had him was so long ago. But One of the things that stuck with me is the last time he came. He was like, he was like, yeah, I just, I want some oranges and like some nuts and like if you get some juice and stuff and he's like, I don't, I don't, yeah. Wellness. Like I don't drink or, you know, do drugs or any of that kind of stuff. He's like, and I, he's like, I want to keep myself healthy for like the tour so that I can perform all these shows that people want, people need me to be there and be at my top tip form, you know, and you don't hear that from many artists, I will say. Um, but I just, that's something that stuck with me and I talked to him about it again when I saw him recently and he's like, yeah, he's like, I, you know, it's like, I, it's a. Important to me. Like you guys are paying me and people wanna see me. Like, I wanna make sure I can perform to my the best, which I think is, it's pretty cool,

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah. And, and that's what I call the headliner mindset. It's that level of professionalism of saying, Hey, this is my career. This is my craft. This is something I take seriously. I'm here to show up and be my best. I'm not just here to like, you know, show up and get paid and party and, and again, I don't wanna demonize party. I just got to party. I just got fucking tore up on threads the other day.'cause I said some shit about, it was totally, I was telling people, I was like, you guys like.

Final Andrew Cam:

like

Final Nik Cam:

I was like for up and coming artists, like stop getting hammered and popping pills and spending all your money on going out and going to festivals and hanging out with party people. Yeah. And like people thought I meant like, don't party and have fun and be on the dance floor. Like, no, fuck you. I do that. But especially at that level where you're getting on a plane Eight times, you know, in a, in a

Final Kelly Cam:

Wake up early, be there at 5 a. m.

Final Nik Cam:

the way I break it down is you're like a F1 car. Right. If you want to be like really operating at that global touring level, you are the machine. If that machine starts breaking down, whether that's mentally, physically, like you're kind of fucked and we see it all the time. So it's like, as I'm working with these bigger artists, I'm really like, yo, yeah, exactly. Eat the oranges, like do the meditation, get some sleep. Cause, cause this is going to be a long month for you as you're, you're not home that whole time. So

Final Andrew Cam:

And not to get off base too, but I guess there's a thin line there too with that kind of thing also. Cause I think about that and I think about, Let's say smaller artists that are coming up and stuff. I actually do think it's beneficial for them to go out and meet the promoters and you don't have to party per se, but be out and like be doing the thing. Right. But then there's the flip side of like, when you're starting to really come up and starting to pop, you're getting a bunch of gigs and you've got a manager or something, or maybe you don't, you're handling it yourself for a little bit. But when you're really starting to travel and stuff more, yeah, it's something going to behoove you to, to not get drunk every show, you know? Yeah, I mean, you're getting

Final Nik Cam:

going to behoove you to get drunk every show. all the time. I'm also encouraging artists get out of the fucking studio and get on the dance

Final Andrew Cam:

floor.

Final Nik Cam:

like go out and network and meet people. You can't just hibernate in the cave. It's definitely that balance, you know? So, so anyways, let's get back to real music events. The concourse project. I'd love to hear about what the roles are that you guys both play and tell me about the, the, the, the company and the venue.

Final Andrew Cam:

Real Music Events,

Final Kelly Cam:

We've been doing shows in Austin, building up to like what the scene is now and what allowed us to do the concourse projects that's been going on for 15 years. And it started with Andrew booking the shows because he's a talent buyer, but started as a DJ, which turns into like, Knowing the artists, always being ahead of the curve with music, because he's really tapped in. Um, and having taste for that. So, he's been booking the artists. Still does. The majority of the shows at Concourse are booked by him. We have some external promoters throw in some shows here and there. But the majority is, um, under him. And then like after that, my side of things is more like operational and creative. So I'm the creative director, but I also lead our teams and like work with all of our different managers and all the departments and give everyone direction, guidance, career growth, um, making sure we're implementing and like processes and all of that and really fine tuning everything we do and getting more and more like just fine tuned and how we operate from beforehand to during the show,

Final Andrew Cam:

to afterwards.

Final Kelly Cam:

And it's just a constant grind. And that's what I do.

Final Nik Cam:

So what does that team look like? I'm really curious of running a promotion company, running a team. What are the different positions that you have, um, that you're working with?

Final Andrew Cam:

we also have a partner as well with the Concourse Project. His name is David Brinkley. Um, so he, we kind of built the place together. Um, really like him and Kelly are the more creative vision for sure than like I am. I mean, I'm creative, but like, they're just more tapped in with like lighting and sound and all that kind of stuff, you know, and that kind of vibe.

Final Nik Cam:

guys own the venue, like the actual physical real estate of it as well?

Final Andrew Cam:

um,

Final Kelly Cam:

that's like a long term

Final Nik Cam:

a, yeah, okay,

Final Kelly Cam:

property lease,

Final Andrew Cam:

yeah, It's hard to find land land that somebody will let you have

Final Nik Cam:

know.

Final Andrew Cam:

So

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah, yeah, that's what I was wondering. Okay.

Final Andrew Cam:

working on it. But yeah, there's the three, you know, main owners essentially. And then there's the team, which she helps with a lot of, she can dive

Final Kelly Cam:

Yeah, so we've got like our office team and there's our venue team Once you bring in like talk about part time and contractors, I mean, it's like closer to like a hundred people involved. But when we talk about like this, the core team, like the core managers and the people on salary, that's like less than 10. Um, and then there's like each of their departments kind of sprawls with like the part time assistants and.

Final Andrew Cam:

on site

Final Kelly Cam:

teams and all that. So it kind of, uh, starts with, if you think about the whole life cycle of a booking, uh, we have a team member named Emily. She's does all sorts of like business support stuff, but helps with artists advancing. So when he books it, then they have to do like artists advancing and logistics. Then there's the marketing side of things. So we have a marketing coordinator, Dana. Um, we're both heavily involved in the marketing and she like helps, You know, support that and drive that. And we've got a media team. We do a lot of, like, multiple people working on video types of assets. We've got multiple sets of graphic designers, not all, uh, in house. You know, there's, like, different arrangements there. There's our production manager, Alan. And that's a huge thing, obviously. But what we do at the concourse and seismic and all that production is a fundamental part to like, what makes our shows pop in

Final Nik Cam:

putting all the sets together and just the lighting and the

Final Kelly Cam:

just, it's not necessarily the sets, but it's like, yeah, the lighting, the, like the designs and the teams that operating it and all of that and keeping it fresh. So we always work on that together. Um, Alan facilitates that and manages that. that department. Then there's our general manager, Greg, who has risen the ranks from bartender since we opened to bar manager to general manager. And so it's a lot of people growing within the organization. We have a bar manager under him. There's the bartenders, the bar backs, the cleaning crew, security. Yeah. And then our media team grows to, to like think of like the photographers, the videographers, the recorded sets. We do our social media side of things. There's my dance group, G three or the gadgets.

Final Andrew Cam:

DJs already?

Final Kelly Cam:

DJs, obviously there's the

Final Andrew Cam:

the DJs.

Final Kelly Cam:

That's not really part of the team

Final Andrew Cam:

No, I know, I'm just saying, but there's them too,

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah, yeah. Part of the team for the night at

Final Kelly Cam:

Right, right. And um. We're all part of the team, but, uh, in terms of making it happen, like that's that side of things, there's customer support. Yeah, there's a lot.

Final Andrew Cam:

Yeah, it's crazy too because we still, I mean we still have Road Music Events which is like the main promotion company that we ran for a very long time.

Final Kelly Cam:

It was just us

Final Andrew Cam:

just us two. So most of that we used to just do ourselves. So I actually don't know how we used to get all that done because now I'm like, I mean we definitely have grown, I mean don't get me wrong, we're not in the same place as we were, but there's sometimes where I'm just like, how did

Final Kelly Cam:

I mean, even to this day, there's, it's still insane how much we still like have on

Final Andrew Cam:

feet. For sure.

Final Kelly Cam:

as

Final Nik Cam:

just as promoters, it's like the venue is handling all that. They're handling, you know,

Final Kelly Cam:

the venue opens the doors and they have bartenders, but actually like, I mean, there was also a period where most of the shows were at a venue that we were partners of. So there was that. But, One of the reasons we wanted to find our own like venue was so that we could better control the circumstances. A lot of times if we would like use another person's venue or whatever, we would be making it better. Like we would bring in extra production, bringing in the equipment, aesthetically, like fixing it to make it a little bit more of like a vibe. Um, so the whole show side of things, we would be at the helm of that. But now at the concourse project, there's so much more at scale. So it requires a lot more in terms of like the team operations and the onsite stuff and just the security and all of that. There's just so much since we change our layouts that it's a lot more complex than just a place that opens up and they just staff bars, tenders and

Final Nik Cam:

And by you guys really kind of taking control of the whole operation, I feel like you've been able to just add so much more value and so much more to the experience, not have it be dependent on the venue and their team, but you guys get to handle everything top to bottom. I think it's so important for people to also just really understand what it takes and what's actually going on, uh, behind the scenes. Like you just listed like a dozen people or you said even up to

Final Kelly Cam:

A dozen different

Final Nik Cam:

on it. Right. Yeah. Like it's a, it is, you know, as they say, like, yeah, teamwork makes the dream work as such a, thing that. most people aren't conscious of is like how much stuff is happening behind the scenes. And, it just reminds me of one of the really, really good interview and episode I did was with a Bear Grylls, really good friend of mine, dubstep producer. And you know, he was just so adamant about like as an artist, when you walk in like treat everybody with respect, thank everybody for being there. Like everybody is there, like working to help put on the show. So treat, you know, the artist hospitality and the security guard. It's like, dude, like come in and like. You know, recognize that, there's a lot of people that are putting in, their time and their energy to, to put this night on. And so, really value that and honor that.

Final Kelly Cam:

Yeah. And it really doesn't matter cause it's felt and noticed. Cause we see the wide range of artists and even just the smallest, Parts of how they interact with hospital production or even their teams, how they, handle like the earlier advanced side of things and marketing side of things. It really impacts like your taste for that artist to come back and sometimes they don't realize it or people are stuck in that like party mindset and they just want to, but it's just like chaos or they're kind of sloppy. Like you feel that and your whole team feels an aversion to it and you don't end up wanting people like that there that often. Sometimes that is what it is if they're huge, but the people that are. more chill, respectful, all of that. Like, it's so appreciated and it really does impact

Final Nik Cam:

And just on a basic human level.

Final Andrew Cam:

fucking

Final Nik Cam:

Cool.

Final Kelly Cam:

Right, exactly.

Final Nik Cam:

cool with everybody. Be cool with the, the person giving you your Starbucks order. Like I just, just please, you know, like make an effort to be a good person and put out good energy into the world. But also just thinking from a business perspective, working with a promoter, working with a venue, You got to think long term. I'm not just booking this one show. Hopefully these are people that I develop a relationship with. I develop a partnership with, they might booking me twice a year for the next 10 years. It's like, it's not just that one show, but even thinking like about the sort of financial, you know, investment in partnership is like, you guys might be making money together for a long time. You show up to that venue. You're not cool, you're disrespectful, you get too fucked up, like, alright, you just lost actually X amount of dollars over the next, you know, however many years because of um, So, okay. I want to dig in the big question. How do you get booked? This is what everybody's asking. I want to play this venue someday. I want to play for this promoter, whether you know, that's, that's you here in Austin or whether that's just in, in general. I'm curious about, you know, And let's kind of maybe start more at the top of like, even like headliners and stuff. How do you choose who you book? What do you make those decisions off of?

Final Andrew Cam:

Um, I mean, headliners, like, I definitely kind of base everything on music that, you know, I'm listening to and everything. So being a DJ first, since I've been, you know, in this industry for a while, I've been DJing since I was, you know, 13, 14, basically And it's always been like, When we first started throwing shows, it was like, I want to book artists that aren't coming and that, you know, there are people that we like, you know, um, it's a little different now because I think the music industry is actually in a whole different place, right? There's a lot of artists now, like a ton, and there's also a lot of bigger artists and all that kind of stuff. But I still, especially when it comes to new artists that we're not already booking. I mean, I want it to be somebody that I like, you know, musically. And then obviously there's the whole thing with like.

Final Nik Cam:

the

Final Kelly Cam:

truth

Final Andrew Cam:

is, can it move some tickets? I mean, there's been a long time where we book shows that it didn't really matter about the tickets. And I'm not saying that that is the end all be all because we will still book shows, even if we're not sure how it's going to do, because we want to, we want to bring the artists, maybe we want to start a new relationship with them. Like we know they're going to be big, or maybe we feel like they're going to eventually, they're going to get there, you know? So we'll still make those, those jumps. But, uh, it's also like, I mean, The truth is the industry is very expensive and to, you know, you need to be getting back something, especially with our venue. It's not the cheapest venue to run. I mean, you heard about how many people work for us, right? So to pay for that, I mean, you got to be able to bring in some funds, you know, and, and I'm not saying that every show has got to be a winner, especially if you're trying to be a promoter, you know, because it's just, that's just not the truth. It never will be that way. It's just, So it can't just be a DJ at this point. You have to be producing stuff that's going to do everything. Only in production. So

Final Kelly Cam:

like their production so it can't just be a dj at this point You have to be producing stuff that's

Final Andrew Cam:

be producing stuff that's going to do everything. A show that Romy's events or seismic is connected to, you know, sometimes we'll bring another artist that we know other people want to see too, right? So if we know like people like Steve Aoki, he's not my favorite, you know, but I also know people do want to see him. So we'll book him, you know, so there's that. And then there's obviously like, you know, the local piece, which is pretty cool. Um, I mean, real music events wise, we have a lot of our own, like locals and, and DJs and stuff that we book and it's definitely something that I honestly have gotten a little bit further away from because we're just so busy, but I really actually had a call today trying to get that back in a little bit better of a place and maybe trying to find somebody to kind of help with that, that a little bit. Um, I do think there's a lot of good talent here in town and I think that Austin, and Has always had more talent than it gets credit for. Um, and so I definitely think, you know, trying to get that in a better place, is good. And so I definitely like to keep, you know, rooms, convince people in the mix, but I also like to bring in other people. Kelly might have some suggestions, some of our other friends that maybe work at the office or a friend has a friend, you know, so we're definitely always listening to that and definitely like, we really like, especially family not family, family, a family, friends, a family, whatever, you know, that's kind of nice. Cause it's like, you know, if you trust someone and their musical taste, then they probably know a DJ that's pretty decent. Right. So then it's like, cool, we'll check that out. And then there's also obviously you can email us and message us on platforms and send your mixes and yeah. And I definitely think, you know, getting out to the shows, which I mentioned earlier, I think especially if you're trying to make a name for yourself locally, like getting out there saying what's up to me or Kelly or whatever, Um, just making yourself known in a way and then like, you know, that, that repetition definitely helps and just showing your support for what we're doing or what, the promoter, wherever you are, is doing, showing that you care about what's going on and that you're there supporting and that, Hey, I want to DJ too, you know, it's just, it's like a reciprocal kind of a thing,

Final Kelly Cam:

you

Final Andrew Cam:

know?

Final Nik Cam:

if you want to play at the club, you got to join the club. You got to be a part of the club. You got to join, join the community. Be a, you know, be showing up.

Final Kelly Cam:

also, I mean, people naturally want to support people that support them. Sorry. It's true. Like it's networking. That's the whole premise of it too. And, it's like putting a face to the name. Like there's a lot of names that are just floating in the ether and in social media land. But, repetition, like seeing the name come up multiple times, being able to start associating it with something else, like, Oh, a pleasant experience or pleasant conversation. And then it makes you a little bit more inquisitive to like, want to hear their music and like give it a try. And then like, Oh, okay. They play Afro house or this and that this could work for some brother shows coming up. And so it starts to plant the seeds and it can take some time. And it may be frustrating for that other person, other, other side of the fence. They also may not be privy to how busy we are and how insane like our lives are, but it really. It's the consistent thread is the repetition, interacting with the brand that you want to be booked by showing up, like showing face. Yeah. And really just interacting. Like sometimes it's just purely like interacting and seeing that person's name reappear and like on our content and our posts are just being excited about certain shows. And then like, I can, Memorize like a profile picture that I see. I'm like, is that that person that reached out that one time about that one

Final Nik Cam:

one

Final Kelly Cam:

and then I'm right, you know? So it's like really repetition does, does wonders.

Final Andrew Cam:

putting it, just putting in the work. I mean, honestly, like, I hate to say that, but I mean, I just feel

Final Kelly Cam:

like

Final Andrew Cam:

A lot of people think things might just be handed to them, you know, and really like this, it takes some work to get where you're going to go, especially in this industry. I mean there's so many other people that are putting in work or that maybe won't do the same thing as you or producing similar music or whatever. Right. I mean, it just, it's not an easy industry, honestly, and it just, you got to put in work or else you're just not going

Final Kelly Cam:

to. Oh, and then not having an air of entitlement. Cause it's easy to also see that. Um, and people at all stages of their career, like especially earlier on, like nothing is grosser

Final Andrew Cam:

than some

Final Kelly Cam:

super entitled at that stage. And like, it's just, you know, simple ways that one would interact or like ask for things or just. how they carry themselves. If you can tell that they are entitled or any of they're not humble enough, then like it may give you like a distaste for wanting to like support them and to have them back. So people don't realize that that shows and like having confidence and all that, but like doing that in a cocky way can have like negative, uh, benefits. Yeah.

Final Nik Cam:

A thousand percent. You know, I look at it as there's the stuff that's on the surface level, which is the tactics is like, yeah. Yeah. Marketing and networking and like go out and do these things. But underneath that is like, what's the energy that you're coming from? Right. Are you coming from ego? Are you coming from entitlement? Right. Or are you coming from, you know, authenticity and genuine passion and genuine gratitude? It's like, you got to be like, you got to be, that's the base.

Final Kelly Cam:

And we're always

Final Nik Cam:

in that,

Final Kelly Cam:

you know, cause that's what we feel that we put into it and like, like minds, like like minds

Final Nik Cam:

Thousand percent. And I like that you said as well as it's, um, it's, it's a longterm. game as well. You know, even with us, it's like I'd kind of run into you guys a couple of times and we said, what's up to you in the green room a few times, little couple of social media bops here and there. And it's like, okay, like now we've, you know, over time now we actually get to sit down and, and go a little bit deeper. So yeah. Yeah. Um, in terms of,

Final Kelly Cam:

Like,

Final Nik Cam:

Uh, let's say I was a local artist, a supporting artist, uh, wanting to just kind of pitch myself. Maybe I, I didn't know you guys yet. I've just kind of been in the crowd. I haven't actually got to shake the right hands yet. I was going to maybe, you know, cold

Final Andrew Cam:

call

Final Nik Cam:

you guys. Uh, what do you think is like the, What's the best practice for that? What would you actually like to see? Like, like an EPK, a mix, you know, as far as maybe back to that surface level sort of tactic. What's the best way to reach out and what do you guys want to see from people?

Final Andrew Cam:

I mean, it's an interesting question because I honestly have been thinking about it more and more lately, too, because

Final Nik Cam:

too because,

Final Kelly Cam:

you know, I've,

Final Andrew Cam:

on a personal level, I found myself wanting to be more like side stage, which makes me a little bit less available to people. And the honest reason is because I do get a lot of people that come up to me and talk and things. And it's, I do want to enjoy the show. I mean, I, like I said earlier, I booked, yeah. And I book shows because I want to I like the artists and I usually want to hear them, you know, and it's, you know, I honestly do myself struggle with, um, anxiety and, and stress a lot and things like that too, you know, so I, you know, I want people to know that I too have those problems and I think a lot of people do have social anxiety and stuff, you know,

Final Kelly Cam:

and so.

Final Nik Cam:

um,

Final Andrew Cam:

I've been thinking about it a lot because I do want to be accessible to people. And I think that that's what sets us apart from a lot of people in the industry and kind of like what we've built. Um, and I think a lot of people appreciate that. And honestly, I do appreciate that too. And just trying to, you know, figure out a way where it's easier for people to come up and talk to me. Um, and it's definitely easier to come up to me and some people do it right. And I think it's more of like, if you're going to come up to me. I had a show and I'm out there to enjoy myself, whatever. Like, I

Final Kelly Cam:

don't make

Final Andrew Cam:

That's what to say. Just don't make it long. Like, cool. Say what's up. If I got my earplugs in, I'll take them out. We'll chat real quick. Make it sound like, Hey, I just wanted you to know. Yeah. Name. Tell me that you, you know, you play some music and then you're just wondering what to do. And then like, cool. I'll either give you my number, which I do a lot, actually. A lot of people have my number and then I'll, or I'll just tell you to email me or whatever. and so like, I appreciate that. Uh, I do like people to follow up to if you're going to email me and text me because we are so busy.

Final Kelly Cam:

He is not the best at checking his, his, that's why I told you, I was like, you just, we're going to need

Final Nik Cam:

you're like, yeah, just, yeah, you're like loop us in and

Final Kelly Cam:

just going to be luck of the draw. If he actually opens his message, whether it's on, he's barely on his Instagram messages. So in the Facebook messages, we don't even check those regularly. Cause it's flooded. His email inbox is crazy. So it's like,

Final Nik Cam:

I brought this up, this came up in my, I have like a, group, uh, coaching program in the community that, that, that I'm building, which is really, uh, really, really fun and really rad. And, that came up the other day where somebody had reached out to like an artist that they wanted to connect with. And, um, just remember, like, just cause someone doesn't get back to you. Yeah. Doesn't mean that they don't like you doesn't mean that they're telling you to fuck off doesn't mean like a lot of times especially if You're a busy person. You're getting so many messages all the time It's so easy for things to fall through the cracks like they might have just not seen it I even for myself like I'm really not that busy, but like I'm just getting enough sort of messages where I'm like, oh shit Yeah,

Final Kelly Cam:

I yeah.

Final Nik Cam:

know didn't notice that message come through or I totally forgot to hit you back Like just don't take it personally This is where some of that like emotional intelligence kind of comes into play is like yeah, don't take it

Final Andrew Cam:

I think if people saw how many texts and phone calls and emails

Final Kelly Cam:

I've I've taken screen records and slid, like,

Final Nik Cam:

through to

Final Kelly Cam:

scrolled through to just get back to like yesterday to like show people like this is what's going on and this is just my texts and like the WhatsApp is a whole other

Final Nik Cam:

what's up is a whole other story. I mean, like I

Final Andrew Cam:

But Back to the other piece. Like if you're friends of a friend, like that's easy. And I definitely, I'll have some closer friends be like, Hey, check this guy out or, Hey, he wants to play. And that, that works a lot, which is very easy, but kind of back to the repetition thing, like kind of see it the same way as marketing, right? Like it takes six or seven times for a person to see something before they remember it. So kind of like the same with like, Hey, following up, like checking in,

Final Kelly Cam:

in a not annoying way, like purely following up can be done without being like rude or

Final Nik Cam:

many people are scared of following up. This has come up recently

Final Kelly Cam:

too, and

Final Andrew Cam:

You're not going to get anywhere without

Final Nik Cam:

yo, I

Final Kelly Cam:

just the one time is not good

Final Nik Cam:

no, this guy in one of my programs, in my program, I was talking about it. We were just celebrating this, this huge win in this big breakthrough because he's like, you guys, I just got this track signed by this label. But he's like, I sent this to them. Like a year and a half ago. And I was like, so what did you do after you sent it? Like, like did you follow up with them? And this was actually, I think what spurred that conversation. He was like, Oh yeah. Like it like got lost in their email until recently. And I was like, bro, you realize you could have had this shit signed a year ago. If you had just had followed up. And as we dug in, there was a little bit of this, like, Oh, I, I didn't want to be annoying, you know? And it was like, well, no, that's just being professional. Follow up. Hey, just phone up. Want to know if you got my email. It's as simple as that. Take the emotion out of it. Take the fear out of it. So it goes both ways. There is that you can be annoying. Like, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, did you get my thing? Hey.

Final Andrew Cam:

Yeah. Don't do that.

Final Nik Cam:

out.

Final Kelly Cam:

mark. Question mark. Question mark.

Final Nik Cam:

But yeah. Uh, but some people are on the other side. Some people are on the other side where they're so they're making people. Putting them on a pedestal and making them bigger than themselves where it's like, hey, we're just we're all here being professionals treat yourself like a professional send emails like professional follow up like a professional take the emotion out of it. It's black and white, you know, either you get back or you don't all good I'll do the next one

Final Andrew Cam:

Also if you're going to submit something to like we're talking about EPKs and all that kind of stuff. Like I like EPK because you can show like, Hey, I'm open for these people, blah, blah. I do like that because it's a quick, like I can glance at that and be

Final Nik Cam:

like, like a little resume.

Final Andrew Cam:

yeah, like that's kind of cool. Um, it used to be more, I wanted to get a mix from someone honestly, but I think now I still I still like that. But I'm thinking like maybe something that's not as long because honestly, like how often do I really have 60 minutes to sit there and honestly, like what I care about is transitions and like, I've got to actually listen to the whole mix or

Final Kelly Cam:

go, you know, just skip through it It's

Final Andrew Cam:

hard to skip through the transitions all the time, but you can, but it does take longer, you know, and what I'm saying, but also tracks are nice. If you've got a few really cool tracks, like Because I ran a label for a long time, I can also see where there's promise, especially if somebody could make some really good tracks. Like several people that play for us now, you know, they've sent me a couple of tracks like, these are cool. Like, or at least I know that they're getting somewhere. And then I can check out the mix real quick and be like, okay, I think they have promise. I'm also not, or we're also not like in the place where like, I don't want people to think they can't learn more or learn from us and do, you know, get better at something, you know, I don't, you don't have to start from being amazing, you know, cause it does take some time to, to, to kind of get your footing sometimes, you know,

Final Nik Cam:

so.

Final Kelly Cam:

so. Like tracks are really important for like the headliners and all that or the higher, opening spots, like the direct support and stuff like that. Like you'll probably reach direct support sooner if you're producing stuff cause it's like you're doing like a little bit more, but I wouldn't say that you have to produce to be a DJ, especially on a local level because if you can produce, it doesn't mean you can DJ. And like, that's important. We don't only want the producers, but we actually, Prefer and respect people that can DJ very well. And so like, it has always been like send the SoundCloud, like the, we would ask for like a live sex that's even more important than a mix. Cause like you can use Ableton and like clean things up. But if it's like a live recording, which not everyone has, you can better hear how they're truly going to play live. So it has historically always been that, and it hasn't changed. It is nice and helpful because it's an added boost if you have like production tracks, cause then it shows a little bit more, Seasonality or whatever, like you're more seasoned. You can do more if you have tracks and that's cool. And then you want, he wants to help support that person more, but it doesn't, you don't have

Final Andrew Cam:

to have

Final Kelly Cam:

those. And in terms of where to submit that, you got to get creative. So if you haven't gotten like the direct contacts, cause even his texts, he barely gets back to all of those. It's like shooting us an email at the. Info at concourse or the bookings at concourse project. com. The personal being in the, the, the DMS, cause sometimes it's easier. Like if someone messages like the business account, like real music or concourse or seismic, as well as our individual, you're increasing the chances that we're going to see that. And then like, sometimes those links are just handier in a.

Final Andrew Cam:

in a dm You're seeing

Final Kelly Cam:

with their profile picture. You can start to associate, the name with the face and you might realize you already recognize this person and then you can easily see like their set links and all of that. It's nice in one nice spot. And the email, we do direct people there a lot, But I will say that just accumulates and it's just a bunch of text. So it's like we might have someone transfer that to like this spreadsheet where we have it, but we don't always go in there. And a lot of times when we're booking locals, whether he does it or I pitch in and do it, like we're going off of memory, the people that come to mind as a good fit, like stylistically and like. Sometimes in those DMS and people start reaching out or you start to see their stuff, you file that in your brain. It's like when we have another drum and bass show coming up, like, let's maybe give this person a chance cause they're actually producing some stuff and doing some cool shit. So, that's kind of how it works and it takes that repetition and following up and trying and not being annoying, but not letting it just fall to the wayside as well.

Final Andrew Cam:

like someone recently that we're probably going to give a shot too soon. Like I checked out his stuff and it was just like a, just kind of a random thing where the name had come up. I'm not gonna drop the name, but name had come up cause it's a similar name to somebody who works for us. And then all of a sudden I heard the person's name from a friend and then Kelly said, and then a couple of like, the name just popped up like three or four times in like a week and I was like, okay, who is this person? Like let's check, you know, just check stuff out, you

Final Nik Cam:

you know?

Final Andrew Cam:

So yeah,

Final Nik Cam:

people, younger artists especially, that are at that threshold of really just putting themselves out there and kind of being scared to put themselves out there, holding back from putting themselves out there, and you know, back to this idea of like, it's that third, fourth, fifth time you hear somebody's name or you see them pop up, that's like, that's where it starts to really resonate, so. The more you're putting yourself out there, the more chances you have of somebody seeing your stuff, right? So whatever that little fear, that little limiting block is, that's maybe still stopping you from putting your music out or, or posting content, you know, like, like that's a huge thing that you got to get over. You got to put yourself out

Final Kelly Cam:

yourself out there. There's another

Final Nik Cam:

shoot your shot.

Final Andrew Cam:

sure,

Final Kelly Cam:

shot. For sure. Definitely shoot your shot and don't give up. So, for us, a lot of times we're adding the locals and the opening slots like later than we used to. Just because we're so busy it's hard to like, Just whatever. It happens closer to the show these days. But what we always tell people when they're like saying that they're interested in playing, it's like, if you see a show that gets announced, like let us know, like message us and say like, Hey, basically raise your hand that that's a show that stylistically works for you and that you think that would be good for you to open. And you remember those things and it might come up and then you're like, all right, it's time to book it. And then you might revert back to that person who planted that seed. And so it's not only just submitting yourself, just. Uh, it's also like getting specific, like seeing a show that works and makes sense and then like raising your hand for each of

Final Andrew Cam:

And I feel like more people have been doing that lately. And I do kind of like that because it kind of they'll call it out in the email. And I, I checked my email a lot. I mean, cause I, my life kind of revolves around my email. And so I kind of like seeing that, like somebody like opening for Gorgon city or somebody, you know, I'm like, I'll check that. Cause I'm like, who is this person? And then maybe they'll hit me a couple more times. I'm starting to get familiar with their, their name and stuff too. so I like that. But also one of the biggest things just because it's from the realm that like I came from and same thing with like dancing and stuff too is we really like. When people heads up to promote for us and stuff because they know that, Hey, they want to just come to shows. Like I'm already coming to these shows. Like I wouldn't mind like tell my friends about it. Kind of help promote you guys, blah, blah. And like, we are kind of like a family, you know, so more and more people that that we see they're out all the time or whatever. They can get familiar with us. Yeah. And then it's like, oh, by the way, I also I DJ, like somebody that we We have doing a bunch of, um, video stuff actually recently was like, Hey, like, can you give me a mix? I was like, cool. I didn't even know you DJed. So it was like, you know, there's just, cause you build a rapport with these people. They're kind of promoting with you. They're at the shows. You're, they're part of like your world now. Right. And then, Hey, by the way, also I DJ or Hey, by the way, maybe I dance or whatever. They have some other artistic thing that they do that they want to start delving into with us. That's a very easy

Final Kelly Cam:

that's like the roots of the dance music scene. So things are very more little commercialized and normal and mainstream these days compared to what it used to be. But like our roots, both of us as individuals and artists, as well as Alan, our production manager and a few select folks have been around in the Austin scene. Since it was way smaller, like earlier 2000s and all that. And it starts with like promoting, especially then it was like, we're fliering. And so like helping the entity that's producing the shows like fliering and just being a part of that. It's nice. Cause you start becoming a community, start getting connected with people. And then, then you guys get booked as DJs or as dancers, performers, et cetera. And so like just being a part of it and wanting to help that mission also helps breed more opportunity for

Final Andrew Cam:

for you too. Yeah. And especially now, like where we are, uh, with Concourse Project. I mean, there are a lot more opportunities now than we've ever had in our history. Right. So that's really nice.

Final Kelly Cam:

Um,

Final Andrew Cam:

To like have more friends and people around you that can do other things and like you're going to work together more avenues and you know, hopefully that keeps building right, but it's a nice way to kind of get in there. I think so.

Final Nik Cam:

Be a part of the scene, be a part of the community, find a way to add value to contribute to the culture, right? Like there, there's so many different ways to do it. What are other things that you can bring to the table? Promoting being one of them. So good. And so important, you know, something I continue to, uh, you know, encourage artists to do as well as like, yeah, like go and get involved, you

Final Kelly Cam:

Right. And even beyond like musical artists, like a lot of people are, they don't DJ or whatever, but they would love, like, it'd be their dream job to have their career be within this like music industry. And so a lot of people like, we'll say like, if you guys ever need, um, Um, marketing, like help, like I do this, this and this, or I do paid search ads or whatever, or Hey, I've got this experience or this degree and blah, blah, blah. That's actually very useful. And we were saying this, uh, recently that we're both in like talent

Final Andrew Cam:

acquisition. Like

Final Kelly Cam:

he focuses on like music artists, which I like that as well. But, I spend a lot of my time focusing on like talent acquisition. and finding opportunities in our business and matching that to the people's skill sets, whether they're already in our organization or they're surrounding it. And we always prefer to tap into someone that is passionate and cares and knowledgeable about this, like, scene because it's otherwise it's not authentic and authenticity is huge to us and we wouldn't be the brand that we are That wasn't fundamental to what we do. So you have to in every other nook and cranny of the business have people that also embody that like vision and passion. And so I always say like, you could think of like graphic designers and marketing or social media as being like such popular roles. that span across all types of things, right? Like you can go down the street and see someone that's, I have a marketing degree or I'll do this. And it doesn't mean that they can fit into this puzzle at all because they can't market the artists and they don't know like the different dance music genres or that sounds or have any, if it's just,

Final Andrew Cam:

Whatever,

Final Nik Cam:

to them.

Final Kelly Cam:

they don't know and it's not going to work for you. So other people can plant that seed too in the same way that the DJs can and like whether it happens then or later down the road, like someone like me might match that opportunity to like what

Final Andrew Cam:

we could

Final Nik Cam:

it's such a great reason also for artists to get involved in, you know, your, your local club, your local venue because of how much you'll learn by being on the backend. And I've talked to so many artists before about how They understand how the business works. They know how to sell tickets. Now they're touring. They understand the promoter game because they started off handing out flyers. They started off working at the venue, helping with it. So, uh, not only is it a great way to, you know, get in with your local club, maybe you can start getting some opening slots, but But you're going to see how the business works and have a completely different just perspective and mindset than say somebody that just only lived in the studio and just maybe own, you know, never really played before until they actually, you know, start getting out there. Back to like, you know, Bear Grylls was like a promoter. He ran a blog, he ran, he did every single thing in the industry and just was. That's why he was able to be really successful with his artist project. Uh, Bijou was another great guest that I had as well, where he was just like, first tour he ever did before he got an agent, um, and really great episode to go back and listen to one of my favorite ones that he was like, he's like, I came up as a promoter. I came up.

Final Kelly Cam:

Handing

Final Nik Cam:

flyers in the fucking parking lot, selling tickets to, you know, for, for my shows and the ones that I was doing so that when I was trying to get an agent, nobody was really fucking with me. So I was like, all right, I'm going to go book my own tour and went out and like applied what he learned about throwing shows and promoting shows, booked his own tour. And the minute he announced it, put up a little flyer, agents called him literally

Final Andrew Cam:

the next

Final Nik Cam:

you know? So that back to that, kind of like headliner mindset, you know, learn as much, learn as much as you can about the business, get involved as much as you can. And obviously there's a balance. You also got to be in the studio making music. You know, I've sometimes had to pull people aside and be like, yo, I see you, you're doing so much, outside of the space, but like, how's your music coming along? You know, have you made any tracks yet? Like let's finding that balance for sure.

Final Kelly Cam:

Yeah. Yeah, I mean, so many people have gotten their opportunity from just getting their foot in the door in so many different places. Like, high ranking people on our team, um, have grown from like,

Final Andrew Cam:

Entry level

Final Kelly Cam:

Positions or starting as a promoter. Then they're working in the merch booth and they're doing this and that. And then, and then all of a sudden they're like one of the top managers of the whole organization years later. And

Final Nik Cam:

You gotta start somewhere.

Final Kelly Cam:

a security and they're just watching a door and then, Oh, they want to start helping as an extra hand because they'll just see things that need help. And someone's like, do you want me to help you with that?

Final Andrew Cam:

you want me

Final Kelly Cam:

those people that are a little bit extra helpful. And then that person is like, Helping as a, like a stage hand later and helping production and getting to do a little bit more cool, interesting things. And then like, Oh, you DJ and you want to play the show. Then they get booked as a DJ too. And there is camaraderie and getting more involved in the background, but it's also knowledge is power. So the more, you know, about the inner workings of things, it's like, you just, you know, more about the industry and what you're trying to do and you can pivot from it more

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah, yeah. And back to being like a good person, being helpful, having that kind of attitude. Like we want our, our friends to win. We want the people that like, we love and care about to win. So yeah.

Final Andrew Cam:

definitely a lot of not

Final Nik Cam:

Hey, it's wild. it's wild. Like I forgot, like I had kind of like stepped out for a while where I was like, when I got into coaching, I was just kind of, I don't know, I kind of thought that was my exit out of the music industry. And then had this really clear, just like insight that this was the community that I'm kind of called to serve. And as I've been like getting back and navigating through it and I'm like, Oh yeah, bumping up against some of the, just the ego, the inevitable, you know, ego that comes with it. And I will say like, Austin is, is so cool. Yeah. Like coming from LA where it's just like, there's, there's so much, there's so much fucking heavy energy in, in, in the industry in general. And just like, there's so much ego and I don't know. It's like I had my moment of wanting to really step out of it, but I actually, I feel really called to be like. We need more people with like good vibes and good energy that are going to bring that to the scene, you know? And so

Final Andrew Cam:

felt that way too, and like part of why we've been passionate

Final Nik Cam:

about building

Final Andrew Cam:

scene here in Austin was because the people of Austin, like whether they're in the scene or not, it's just a different breed. It's something that we've always,

Final Kelly Cam:

It's changing obviously cause there's an influx of a lot of people, but still fundamentally they're like a generally more down to earth, like chill, good humored type of person. And even if you go traveling, whether it's to LA or San Francisco or New York or to a different country, like even your like restaurant experiences are vastly different. Like servers here, it doesn't matter where you go, whether it's high end or some just chill place, like the servers are way more like conversational and relaxed and all of that. And you go elsewhere and it's like, you don't see anyone. They walk up, they're like, and it's just, And that is symbolic of Like the, the entertainment and nightlife industry here too. So it's the people are, there's more, they're more passionate, they're more just chill. And you go to some of like the big cool shows and other markets or around the world. And it's like, it can be cool and it can vary, but more often than not, it's a colder energy. Everyone's more in their own world. There's a lot more like superficiality and ego and all of that. And it's not as, Prevalent here. And so we've always been passionate about wanting that to prevail and for people to come see that that's like, you know, people can

Final Andrew Cam:

feel it.

Final Nik Cam:

I was just gonna say it's felt it's totally felt and it is like, uh it's, that's what we would call like the collective consciousness. You know, it's like you can kind of go to a city and just kind of feel it. You can feel the energy of the city. Like you go to New York and you get off the subway, like you can feel the energetic vibration of that place and the energy that comes with it. And, and, you know, Austin in general, I think has its own energy, but then also within the scene, it's, uh, I think we're doing a pretty good

Final Andrew Cam:

the scene, it's, uh, I think we're doing a pretty good job. unmatched in our eyes. And that's kind of why we've, we've spent so much time and effort on it here is I just think that, you know, because of the people and the energy and the vibe, you know, it's like, it's a whole different thing. I mean, I think when a lot of artists and people come here, they're like blown away with like, Hey, how music knowledgeable everyone is here. And also just like how great the parties are because they're,

Final Nik Cam:

yeah, Yeah. It's just vibes.

Final Andrew Cam:

So let's

Final Nik Cam:

Uh, so let's talk about parties. You guys throw seismic dance event every year, right? Tell me about seismic. I haven't been actually to the main one yet. I went to the, the spring edition that you guys do, which is kind of,

Final Andrew Cam:

edition.

Final Nik Cam:

I'll be there. I'll be there this year for sure. For sure. Um, this year I'm still pretty new here. You know, I just missed last year, whatever, but, but

Final Kelly Cam:

Okay.

Final Nik Cam:

I'll be back. Let me off the hook. Okay.

Final Andrew Cam:

know.

Final Nik Cam:

But tell, tell me about seismic. Like what is seismic all about and what's the vision

Final Kelly Cam:

behind that? Yeah, I was actually gonna say that vibe that you can feel, it's like on steroids at Seismic, it's like super, like-minded folk and the, the people that travel, they're traveling because they're also part of that like collective energy and all that. And you can see and feel it even more so at Seismic'cause it's a house in techno festival. So it's a like a genre specific festival, which we find like makes people even more. Finally in tune with each other versus

Final Nik Cam:

like some of the,

Final Kelly Cam:

there's something good to be said about Multi genre like cross genre mainstream festivals and all that wonderful, but when you get more Narrowed in and dialed in like you get Even more like minded people and that's always a fun aspect of seismic, but it's our festival. We've been doing that doing it since 2018

Final Andrew Cam:

um, It's

Final Kelly Cam:

like three days like three stages

Final Nik Cam:

Am I, am I allowed to wear white there

Final Kelly Cam:

You can do whatever you want, but there's a lot of black. Yeah

Final Andrew Cam:

have white shirts you can buy.

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah.

Final Kelly Cam:

I like to fuck with black and white, you know and

Final Andrew Cam:

other ideas she's got. Black

Final Kelly Cam:

Black and gold, black and white,

Final Andrew Cam:

You

Final Nik Cam:

Cause you do, you do the merch design, right? For,

Final Kelly Cam:

Or design and or direction,

Final Nik Cam:

So cool. Yeah. The shirts that you guys made for the, the seismic spring were just

Final Kelly Cam:

Yeah. And that's a whole nother Avenue. I actually left that whole department off when I was talking about the different facets of what we do and putting a lot more focus there for our concourse stuff and just year round things and more like street wear and lifestyle type of clothing versus like your stereotypical event merch. So that's a fun aspect, but ultimately seismic, it's, it's, Our slogan is it's a lifestyle cause it really is. And it brings people who live and breathe that lifestyle. Uh, so musically it's really dope. There's usually like 60 plus artists playing, tons of headliners, international headliners, and then like regional acts as well. We've got performers and art and uh, the merch game

Final Andrew Cam:

hot.

Final Kelly Cam:

So

Final Nik Cam:

Yeah. Yeah. Come out. It's definitely, if you are a, Techno fan house, you know, deeper sounds of house music. Come to Austin, come experience Austin, come dip your toes in the water, get some good

Final Andrew Cam:

toes

Final Nik Cam:

check out this fucking epic music festival. Uh, it would be worth the

Final Andrew Cam:

have this fucking epic music festival, uh, it would be worth the trip. I'm happy with, um, where the lineup wound up. I mean, every year I'm like, we said, try to top ourselves every year. I'm trying to top myself as a talent buyer too. And it's getting very hard to top myself, but I mean, I think, you know, pull it off, uh, every year. And I think we haven't, we're going to be announcing the phase two here soon. It's not a ton more acts, but a couple big ones that I wanted on phase one that didn't get to land. And I'm, I'm, I'm, I think it's

Final Kelly Cam:

going to be, it's

Final Andrew Cam:

it's going to be pretty

Final Kelly Cam:

epic. Ultimately, like we started seismic, uh,'cause we always did our normal shows and we grew to where we could do our own like festival brand. And so this is our, we've got our venue and regular shows and then festival. So if you think. production at the concourse project. I don't know when it is really dope. It is. I feel like a lot of that actually stemmed from us doing seismic. So when we found the building that we turned into the concourse project, like it was in our pursuit to find a new home for our regular shows, but also for our festival because our second edition was at the Statesman and then we weren't going to use that anymore. And so, like our volcano stages and inside warehouse kind of concept. And then there's outside. And so we saw that property and this new construction that hadn't been completed and with the envision of that being for seismic. So us starting to do like really crazy world class production at the concourse kind of pivoted from us starting to achieve that as a festival and starting to play with those kinds of toys. And so now like our regular show shows are really crazy and we keep upping our inventory and getting like buying stuff and we've got more shit coming in October. Actually big things coming in September

Final Andrew Cam:

and October, big things

Final Nik Cam:

but we get

Final Kelly Cam:

we have to top all of that So it gets even crazier for the festival because we bring in even more stuff and we add to the inside and we change the designs Then we do stuff outside. So it's our ability to really flex And so if you think what we do is cool on a normal basis like that is a whole different ballgame

Final Nik Cam:

yeah. I wanted to ask you guys, like, you know, what's the vision for the future? Where do you kind of see things going? But what I really hear is like this, uh, this drive and motivation to just continue to like outdo

Final Andrew Cam:

yourself. Exactly Right. Yeah,

Final Nik Cam:

To keep, to keep setting the bar, whether that's on the lineup and the talent or whether that's on the production and the experience. Yeah. And, and just what a great, what a great conversation. What a great mindset to have just in life in general. Just continue

Final Andrew Cam:

to get better. right?

Final Nik Cam:

Continue to push the boundaries. Continue to outdo yourself. Right.

Final Andrew Cam:

Yeah, that's the definitely the plan. I mean, honestly, like if you think about it, really, I mean, I never thought we would be where we are now. I mean, we always wanted to be right, but we're always working on something, working towards something. And, um, I mean, this was the goal for sure, but you know, you just never know and all the, all the things you have to go through, especially in our world and the festival and stuff. I mean, it's just, it's a hard game to be in, you know, and

Final Nik Cam:

a lot of people

Final Kelly Cam:

of people, will say,

Final Andrew Cam:

a lot of Can't do it, and I

Final Kelly Cam:

It's not just a

Final Andrew Cam:

know why.

Final Kelly Cam:

for you

Final Nik Cam:

love that.

Final Kelly Cam:

you bring

Final Nik Cam:

bring this up. Uh, you guys, you know, like you said, this was

Final Andrew Cam:

the dream,

Final Nik Cam:

right? There was this little seed of, of a vision of, of maybe what, maybe we could possibly do someday. I think very similar to a lot of artists that are out there like someday I'd love to be maybe playing that festival or I'd love to have this, this, this reality that doesn't exist yet. But I know there's something inside of me that knows that I can do it. Even if my self doubt is screaming at me, there's still at least a kernel of hope and vision that believes that I can create this reality because I see other people doing it right. You guys have done it. What would you say has really contributed for you guys to be able to actually make that vision a

Final Andrew Cam:

reality?

Final Kelly Cam:

it's, there's multiple things here. So it's like feeling that kernel and wanting to live a life that where you're not gonna have the what ifs about like your aspirations, your talent, your passion. And like you said earlier about like your calling and you could feel it and all of that, this is my place and this is where I need to do things. Like it's, it's listening to that side of yourself too. Like what makes you passionate? What do you just really want to contribute more to? And it was like that for both of us. And it has. continue to be that way for both of us since our earlier days. And, To his point, we never said back then, like, this is what my end goal is. Like it's, it's been fluid and it's just evolved because you work on just topping yourself and like, Oh, now that I've done this, I can actually do this. And

Final Andrew Cam:

like, it just

Final Kelly Cam:

grows and it branches out. So we knew, and we could, for feel that like we were going to do something and we were doing something. And it's like, come along for the ride is what we would say to people that would like join our team and all of that. Cause like I know me and I know him and like we're not stopping and we're determined and we're determined to figure out what it is we're doing, but we're going to keep growing what we have here and it is special. So it's like knowing those opportunities and things that you have in your life that really have that spark for you and listening to it and then figuring out how to like. evolve it and grow it and make it more beautiful and Tap in others into that dream and I don't know just keep Seeing like what new avenue you can take on that makes sense without biting off too much We do bite off too much, but also within like the

Final Andrew Cam:

bounds that we have. And it's like, I mean, you know, we kind of, especially when we first started this path, I mean, it was in, you know, Technically even before 2009, but we started going on down the path of like doing more shows 2009 and things that we're doing now Did not exist then. I mean we really have kind of created I don't want to say we created the market because the market was there But I mean we've definitely taken it to a whole different level that didn't

Final Kelly Cam:

exist Particularly where we

Final Andrew Cam:

Yeah, and we definitely kept doing things that like no one else was doing and it was like, alright Well, we're gonna try this and I'm not saying there weren't hardships because there's been a bunch and it's definitely been a hard ass road Like I mean, I think I think it's like Yeah, definitely not giving up. Right. But also, you know, if you do have that kernel or seed or whatever, you know, obviously it's the passion that's going to get you there. And obviously you just got to keep going. I mean, you know, I hate to keep driving this home, but there's definitely a lot of times that we thought we were done or this was over that we wouldn't be sitting here right now, you know? So, um, it's just, you know, if you've, if you've got that passion, that drive, and it's something you really care about, like you should just try to do it, you know? I

Final Kelly Cam:

It's like find the spark, listen to your gut. Cause if it starts to not be working like at a certain point, like you'll know, like I think this is just a setback, but like I'm going to keep

Final Andrew Cam:

going. Yeah,

Final Kelly Cam:

if you're in a place where maybe you're not that good at what you're doing or something, I don't know, like let's find your strengths and what does make sense and listen to your lessons. But just having the motivation to keep going and pushing forward and making use of those lessons. But, also finding what makes you different and what makes you unique because As things grow and evolve, industries are cluttered and social media and all that is cluttered. So like, what makes you different than everyone else in what you're doing? So if you know, like where there's a hole or a gap or a business opportunity and the industry or where you are locally, then like focus on that if it's something that resonates with you. So like you got to have your spin that makes you unique. Don't just

Final Andrew Cam:

be,

Final Kelly Cam:

Trying to go down the same road as everyone else without anything like unique, you know

Final Nik Cam:

Well, I'll wrap this up with where we

Final Andrew Cam:

started.

Final Nik Cam:

Thank

Final Andrew Cam:

you both.

Final Kelly Cam:

Thank

Final Nik Cam:

both for coming down here to hang out, to chat, to do this episode with me. Um, but thank you for doing what you do. Thank you for creating the space, for growing the scene here, for, uh, you know, bringing the fucking party to Austin. And, and thank you for not quitting. Thank you for continuing to persevere even in the face of those challenges. You know, I think that that actually really is the, that is leadership, right? Knowing that, like, Hey, we're not just doing this for us. We're not just doing this because of, you know, what we get out of it and what we can profit, but like, just to think about how many. Tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of people at this point that have been able to come into a space that you created to have a good time to make new friends. You know what I mean? Like that's

Final Andrew Cam:

what's up. That's what it's about, honestly. I mean,

Final Nik Cam:

yeah, we

Final Andrew Cam:

place. You can, you can, you can take, you can take that part out. Yeah. You guys

Final Nik Cam:

no, you guys rock. Thank you so much for

Final Andrew Cam:

through. Yeah, we could talk forever

Final Nik Cam:

talk forever if you

Final Kelly Cam:

We

Final Andrew Cam:

We really appreciate it. Yeah, no, I

Final Kelly Cam:

Thanks

Final Nik Cam:

appreciate it. Hell

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Nik Cherwink

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