Boss Womxn Series: Carina Glastris
Music Manager and Founder of Porch Management redefines what it means to be a boss-ass womxn taking on the music industry.
The modern day music manager is more like an Olympic juggler. In a new era of constant social media posts, short attention spans, and so much competition - it’s no easy job and many managers take a back seat approach. In this ever-changing music industry, the classic approach of management just doesn’t cut it. Carina Glastris embodies that modern-day management style but with her own twist that makes her not only an utter Womxn Boss but also a force in this powerful industry.
We had the chance to chat with her and dig into everything from the success of her first signing [indie pop band Moontower], advice to young managers, and of course some essential gardening tips!
We’re so excited to have you kicking off our new Boss Womxn series! As a music manager, creative director, and an all-around badass you definitely have taken your career very far in a short time. How did you get into management?
I got into management through my love of visuals and marketing. During college, a friend of mine asked if I could help make a music video for his debut single – I ended up becoming his Creative Manager and later Manager. I have always loved bands and being close to artist projects, so I have found Management as a natural use of my passion & skills.
Can you tell us a little bit about how working with Moontower came to be?
I met the Moontower boys through the music scene at USC. The first week of my senior year of college, I ran into Jacob, the lead singer of Moontower while doing my Spanish homework on campus. He told me he was working on a new project and asked if I wanted to get lunch. As I was the Co-Executive Director of USC’s Concerts Committee, he has admitted the lunch was an attempt to book a gig. Alas, my chemistry with the band was immediate, and after hearing what their vision was for Moontower and things necessary to get there, I essentially hired myself as their manager soon thereafter.
What advice would you give for up and coming music managers or music business hopefuls?
For young managers I always encourage them to learn graphic design, photography and/or video editing softwares. So much of management is content creation and distribution, so if you can be in control of any of that without needing to outsource, you can control important aspects of campaigns and releases.
Get experience from things in your community or at your school - high school, college or community college. Take classes like graphic design 101 or digital marketing basics. Join the radio station or the concerts committee and meet people who are interested in the things you like. So often the network of your young life carries into your professional life.
Dive deep into what you love about the industry. Do you have a knack for seeking out young producers? Do you love digital marketing? Do you love being on the road? Whatever makes you tick is where you should spend your energy. Get as many internships and experience as possible, and then do everything you can to do the work that inspires you.
Working incredibly long workdays, self-care is essential. How do you unwind? Where is your non-work happy place?
This is the truth. There is nothing more powerful than learning how to take care of yourself and also how to speak kindly to yourself. I unwind by journaling, listening to podcasts, exercising, meditating, cooking and reading.
My non-work happy place is a morning run while listening to a podcast and a cup of coffee. I am also so happy at the farmers market these days -- it’s a great alternative to shopping at an indoor grocery store during the pandemic. In Los Angeles they are taking social distancing practices very seriously. Food shopping at farmers markets is also a great way to practice sustainable habits during the pandemic -- as you can bring your own bags, there is far less packaging associated with the food, and the carbon footprint of the food getting to the buyer is considerably less.
Success is an ever-evolving concept. What do you consider success? Are there business role models or mentors you have?
I am drawn to people who create art and create space for new types of careers. For that reason, I have always admired Sophia Amoruso’s career, in that she created a mogul role for herself that didn’t have representation, and for pioneering space for female entrepreneurs. I very much admire Courtney Trop for her career in fashion, and branching into the CBD world. I also love Molly Hawkins’s work as a Creative Director. These are people who push boundaries and don’t ask for forgiveness or permission for the work they do, and for that reason they are incredibly inspiring.
Non-music question. A little birdie told me you are gardening? What are your top aficionado gardening tips?
Gardening was the best use of my quarantine time! My biggest tips would be:
1) Plant what you love to eat!!
2) Follow the instructions on the seed packet for spacing your crops. The more space a plant has, the more opportunity for growth and vegetation!
3) Make a watering schedule and learn how to read your soil.
4) Don’t forget to fertilize your soil and do research on how often in a growing season your particular crops need to be fed.
Final plugs….?
Stay tuned for some fun new projects :)
More on Carina and Porch Management HERE:
INSTA: @carina.glastris || TWITTER: @its_ceeg