Interviews and Features

Finessed Media, Inc.

Join us for a live Zoom interview, Q&A, and listening session to discuss music journalism with leading industry journalists!

This event is sponsored by Finessed Media, Inc. and hosted by Abby Martinez and Marley Davis-Hewitt.----RSVP to attend.----One of the core essentials of being established as an independent artist is having a good team behind you. People stress having a good manager, producer, marketing team, etc, but it's on the rare occasion that we hear about the importance of having a good A&R. A&R is more than just talent scouting and signing, they are with you through the whole process. It's vital that independent artists know what to look for in A&R and have a comprehensive understanding of this role. Having an amazing person in this position on your team can take your career to new heights. This week we will be chatting with a phenomenal group of established A&R women: Kayla "KB" Bryant, Liza Kaye, and Nishat Baig. We’ll be discussing the role and process of A&R and how they discover, sign, and develop independent artists. ----Agenda:12 - 12:10pm ET Introductions12:10 - 12:45pm ET Interview with Bhaven Moorthy, Eric Diep, Lawon Exum, Nishat Baig, and Ray Sang.12:45 - 1pm ET Live Q+A with Zoom Audience1 - 1:30pm ET Networking/Listening Session----LISTENING SESSIONThe event will be concluded with our weekly listening session. 6-8 artists will have a chance to play their music in front of a live audience and will receive constructive criticism from our speakers.-----------------Raised in the culturally filled area of PG County, Maryland, Kayla Bryant approaches music with a unique style and authenticity not commonly found in today’s saturated urban music scene. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2020 after time actively serving in the US Military, Kayla , professionally and socially known as “KB”, has been able to not only make meaningful connections with rising artists but also gain professional experiences aligning with some of the industry’s best labels. Beginning at LA Reid’s HitCo and learning the basics of the music business she gained valuable insight that would prove priceless later on. After moving on from there she landed a position on LVRN’s A&R team and began to make an immediate impact with the company. While working with LVRN, Kayla she helped curate and coordinate the LVRN x Spotify Rap Caviar Cypher which included music stars such as 6lack, Westside Boogie, OMB Bloodbath, and BRS Kash. That cypher currently sits at over 1M views on YouTube and is Spotify’s one of a kind. She helped work on LVRN focus track “Just Say That” featuring the aforementioned cypher participants. After leaving LVRN, and spending time involved with Issa Rae “The Raedio” lable, Kayla has continued to work with some of the industry’s most promising young talent, contributing to the projects of Virginia-based rapper Al-Doms and fellow PG County musical creative Reggie Becton. Both artists have received numerous highlights on web publications stamping them as future strongholds in the hip hop industry. Kayla continues to work with and find promising artists and contribute creative content ideas to labels and companies looking to make a impactful connection.-----------------Liza Kaye is an A&R, manager, pianist and senior at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Since attending USC, Kaye has gained experience in the industry via interning at world renowned labels, publishing companies and recording studios such as Atlantic Records, Pulse Music Group, and most recently, Electric Feel Entertainment. Her experience throughout college has led her to her current position as an A&R Scout at Elektra Records, in which she works to sign and develop artists on Warner Music’s roster. Additionally, Kaye independently manages an artist (whose work can be found on DSPs and in esteemed publications such as the New York Times and Flaunt Magazine), as well as a songwriter and a producer who work constantly in the LA session circuit. Additionally, Kaye recently helped broker a publishing deal with Hipgnosis Songs for the producer behind the TikTok viral hit, “Buss It” by Erica Banks. -----------------Nish is currently a journalist at The Knockturnal, as well as a publicist, writer and A&R at The Press Play Agency. Nish began her career writing for The Source Magazine before interning at Def Jam and Epic Records during her junior and senior years of college. She then became Def Jam’s Freelance Community Manager after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Fordham University. During her time at Def Jam, Nish met an artist who inspired her to pursue artist management and freelance PR. After a few years in the industry, she now hopes to provide a platform for South Asian American youth who want to pursue music as the Chief Communications Officer at Outer Voice Records.------------------

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