Five to Watch is an occasional series in which our mission is to
identify promising talent in the area. For this edition, we go behind
the scenes in the local concert business. Have you ever enjoyed a music
show and stopped to think, "Who's in charge of all this?" We hope these
profiles give you insight into who promotes the bands, who books the
shows and who keeps everything flowing smoothly. Enjoy.
Hunter Hauk
LANCE YOCOM
DARNELL RENEE/Special Contributor
Lance Yocom got his start in the business by promoting and setting
up shows in Abilene during college.
AGE: 27
JOB DESCRIPTION: President of Spune Productions, a company that
promotes artists and books shows and special events. Most recently,
Yocom revitalized the Cavern, bringing nightly shows and DJ events to
the Greenville venue. "I created Spune to be an artist development
company which would serve as a promoter, event producer, artist
management, booking agency, record label and design house, and offer
interactive media services to artists. What sums up what I enjoy most
about my job is discovering new talent and making others aware of it."
GREATEST HITS (events he's participated in): "The Wall of Sound
Festival this past April at Hailey's in Denton. It was pretty much a
playlist for my favorite dream pop/shoegaze bands. Also, partnering with
the Cavern."
PATH TO THE CONCERT BIZ: "I have always had a passion for music
and being around it. I began promoting and setting up shows in Abilene
during college. ... Later, I found myself booking for a handful of
Dallas-Fort Worth bands who just needed help getting their feet in the
door at local clubs. Once I got my feet wet and tasted some of the local
scene, my mind began to run with ideas, and here I am."
WORKING PHILOSOPHY: "Be creative, live honest, work hard and
reflect integrity."
DREAM LINEUP: "I could go on forever, but here are some of my
favorites that I'd want to see in the same show: Pink Floyd, U2,
Radiohead, the Cure, Johnny Cash, My Bloody Valentine, Low, Bloomsday,
Kraftwerk, Stereolab, Starflyer 59, Pedro the Lion, the Jesus and Mary
Chain, Mojave 3, Portishead, Mazzy Star."
HEATHER YIIRS
ERIN TRIEB/Special Contributor
Heather Yiirs says the Inspectah Deck show was the most
temperamental to put on, but ended up fantastic.
AGE: 28
JOB DESCRIPTION: Yiirs is the promoter and handles booking at
Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios. She's responsible for bringing to
Denton some of the most buzzworthy indie acts in the nation. "I'd
like to think that my persistence has been a big help in doing this job
well," she says. "I also give a [expletive] about this club, the bands,
and even the booking agents. While that's not necessarily a skill, I
think it's something that has made our club stick out a little more from
the others."
GREATEST HITS (events she's participated in): "Of Montreal, The
Fiery Furnaces, MC Chris, Inspectah Deck (from Wu-Tang) and the 'Free
Week' shows (no cover charge) we put on during the second week of
September."
PATH TO THE CONCERT BIZ: "I never thought to myself, 'Wow,
wouldn't it be awesome to book bands at some club in Texas?' I pretty
much just dived into it because I didn't like the direction things were
headed, and really wanted to see this club survive and stick around well
into the future. It's definitely going to sound cheesy, but I've been
influenced by Brett Lautenslager (my boyfriend and the manager at Rubber
Gloves), and Josh Baish (the owner), because they're always giving me
support and letting me know I'm doing right by them."
WORKING PHILOSOPHY: "For me, it's always a challenge, and it's
always inspiring to see bands here, or to get e-mails from bands all
over the world that have heard of this place and want to play here. It
makes me work harder at what I do."
DREAM LINEUP: "Dinosaur Jr., Guided by Voices, Silkworm (when
Joel Phelps was still in it), Cap'n Jazz, Neutral Milk Hotel, the
Rolling Stones (early '70s era), Hall & Oates, the Clash and Otis
Redding. I'd give my right arm to be able to see Otis in concert."
PAUL LEVATINO
DARNELL RENE/Special Contributor
Paul Levatino: 'I have always wanted to be in this business, so I
stay reliable, honest and respect people.'
AGE: 29
JOB DESCRIPTION: Levatino is a producer and promoter of concerts,
as well as an artist development rep and marketing consultant. He helps
run entertainment management and marketing company Smitty INK Media
Group. Notably, he's handled projects for Dallas soul star Erykah Badu,
including some of the famed afterparties at the Black Forest Theater.
"My skills lie in years of networking and experience in the music
industry," he says. "I am also a musician and graphic designer, which
comes in handy for 'brand building' in this industry."
GREATEST HITS (events he's participated in): He produced the
Chipotle Concert for the Arts in 2003, which benefited the Booker T.
Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. "It was a
20-band concert featuring Badu, N'Dambi, Deep Blue Something, American
Hi Fi, SouthFM and Hydroponic Sound System. This concert started my
working relationship with Erykah." Levatino went on to put together this
year's South by Southwest showcase for Badu's Control Freaq record
label. He also handled the official Prince concert afterparty at the
Black Forest Theater in 2004.
PATH TO THE CONCERT BIZ: "I always wanted to be in the music
industry. I was drawing pictures of concerts at the age of 3. Growing up
in Deep Ellum and being a drummer/musician in various bands, I had to
become my own promoter. I hung out at the Bomb Factory and learned from
the management in my teens. ... I worked my way up the hard way, through
blood, sweat, and tears."
WORKING PHILOSOPHY: "Do whatever it takes and never, ever quit. "
DREAM LINEUP: "There are so many artists I would love to have on
the same show – it would be a 24-hour, multi-day event! I would produce
a traveling festival featuring all types of music, art, dance, theater
and culture. The tour would have to benefit the needy and would promote
art for art's sake. I would have several dates in the U.S., Mexico,
Europe, Africa and Asia. Each stop would be a all-day event featuring
artists like Prince, Erykah, the Roots, Mos Def, Pink Floyd, Radiohead,
the Smiths and so on."
BRANDEN WELLS
NAN COULTER/Special Contributor
Branden Wells is still working on putting together his 'best concert
experience,' but says we're all invited.
AGE: 33
JOB DESCRIPTION: Wells handles marketing and promotions for the
nightclub Purgatory, which has hosted performances and appearances from
top hip-hop and dance acts. "I work as a liaison between the new urban
living and live entertainment," he says. "I've got an eye for what's
hot, and I'm a good communicator."
GREATEST HITS (events he's participated in): "The Hard Knock Life
Tour, Winter Music Conference in Miami, SXSW and The Source Urban
Assault Tour."
PATH TO THE CONCERT BIZ: "Back in 1992, when I was in college [at
the University of North Texas], Keith Murray had a hit underground
hip-hop record out. He was on a promotional tour, and at the same time I
was interning for his record label. They needed someone to put together
a last-minute show at a local college. I was like, 'Damn, I can do
that.' So I put the show together at my school, and it was a huge
success. And from that point I just stayed true to what I like to do,
and that's providing entertainment on all levels to the public."
WORKING PHILOSOPHY: "Find something you like to do and you will
never 'work' a day in your life."
DREAM LINEUP: "Strange Fruit Project, De La Soul, A Tribe Called
Quest, Nas, Jay-Z, U2, Coldplay, Erykah Badu, Prince and Red Hot Chili
Peppers. They are all my favorite artists. Plus the afterparty will be
off the hook!"
KATE MACKLEY
REX C. CURRY/Special Contributor
In addition to being a local music cheerleader, Kate Mackley books
shows for Highlands Café, a neighborhood restaurant in Lake
Highlands.
AGE: "A lady never reveals her age."
JOB DESCRIPTION: If you've been to a local music show in Dallas,
you've probably seen Kate taking pictures or just soaking it all in. But
other than being a dedicated "superfan," she books acoustic shows at
Highlands Café in Lake Highlands, photographs local bands and does
freelance work for various publications. "All that I do comes out of
love and respect for the bands and their art," she says. "I promote and
support local bands however I can."
GREATEST HITS (events she's participated in): "Highlands Café's
Thursday night 'Concerts at the Café' series and the upcoming
compilation CD. Interviews and album reviews of DFW musicians for Dallas
Music Guide. ... My photography service."
PATH TO THE CONCERT BIZ: "I grew up in Ohio listening to WOXY,
the greatest alternative radio station ever, and my best friend in L.A.
mailed me cassette tapes of the emerging punk rock scene. How I got into
this [in Dallas] was totally random. I went to a concert and heard
Radiant play. They were far better than any other band on the bill (even
the MTV darlings who headlined), and they were the opening act and
barely had an audience. I left that night with an obsession to help them
get noticed. ... I really thought I'd do one interview, have a great
time, and that would be it. But I'm still having a great time."
WORKING PHILOSOPHY: "Don't say no, meaning be open to what comes
next."
DREAM LINEUP: "Dallas audiences are notorious for not supporting
local music, so I'd get the Strokes to play, but wouldn't announce the
time, or the order, so everyone would show up for the beginning of the
show. And then I'd invite the Stock Market Crash from OKC, the Lord
Henry from Austin, the Hourly Radio and Deathray Davies to play, and I'd
lock the venue door."
