3Q Episode Fifteen: Laurel Stearns

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q. 3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more. The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time. About Laurel: Before partnering with Primary Wave, Laurel Stearns for a year and a half-built a small roster at Prospect Park(The Firm) with Red Fang, Father John Misty, White Denim and Jenny O. Laurel spent 8 years at Capitol Records, 3.5 years at Red Light Management and 6 years as an independent manager. During her tenure at Capitol Records, Laurel ushered in bands such as Interpol, The Decemberists, Shout Out Louds, Fischerspooner, Sparklehorse, and LCD Soundsystem.  During her tenure at Capitol Laurel realized there were many bands that she was passionate about that belonged nowhere near a major label. With two partners, launched Cold Sweat Records/Caroline. From that label, No Age(WIVES), Battles, Health,  Devendra Banhart, Yahowa 13, and many others were discovered and released. Laurel along with 3 others, opened the LA office of Redlight Mgmt, brought The Decemberists and Alberta Cross, and worked on Chris Cornell’s solo effort.   As an independent manager, Laurel managed: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Mammoth), The Descendents, ALL(Epitaph), GWAR(Metal Blade), The Paladins (4AD) Plastilina Mosh (Capitol). Laurel helped develop fan bases for these bands with branded tours & creative marketing ideas (ie: comic book in-stores for GWAR, shows on cruise ships for Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Descendent’s “Caffeine Nation Tour” – which did not allow any beer sponsors or corporate posters in the venue, etc.), An orchestra tour with The Decemberists (largest audiences the band had played to).  Earlier in her career, Laurel also scouted for The Sony WORK group, where she was involved in the album set up for artists such as Fiona Apple, Jennifer Lopez, Jamiroquai & Eagle Eye Cherry. Currently managing: U.S. Girls (4AD/Beggars), Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (Ghostly Int/Secretly Canadian), Red Fang (Relapse/Orchard), The Album Leaf(Nettwerk), The Session aka Christian James Hand