In the wake of the live music industry’s upheaval caused by the pandemic, five former Paradigm Talent Agency booking agents – Ali Hedrick, Erik Selz, John Bongiorno, Karl Morse and Ethan Berlin – along with former longtime Billions Corporation COO Matt Yasecko are uniting to launch a new agency, Arrival Artists.
Joining the Arrival team will be Director of Marketing Jenna Neer, formerly of AEG Global Touring, and Agency Associate Jess Bumsted, also formerly of Paradigm.
Arrival’s roster ranges from Andrew Bird (pictured), Khruangbin, The Comet is Coming, Sufjan Stevens, BADBADNOTGOOD, Mt. Joy and Nubya Garcia to Car Seat Headrest, Andrew Bird, Goose, Pup, Twin Peaks, Viagra Boys, Neko Case, The Drums, Diet Cig and Chicano Batman.
The new company will have offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle.
Arrival is partnering with ATC Live in Europe to facilitate dynamic global representation for shared acts.
ATC’s roster includes Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Lumineers, Mac DeMarco and Julia Jacklin.
“There is a clear space in the agency ecosystem for agile, independent companies that can provide innovative worldwide solutions for artists.”
Alex Bruford, ATC Live
“There is a clear space in the agency ecosystem for agile, independent companies that can provide innovative worldwide solutions for artists,” notes ATC Live’s Alex Bruford.
“The relationship between ATC and Arrival has quickly blossomed through a mutual desire to put the artists first, and we are delighted to be working together.”
“We want to construct an environment that encourages collaboration, crossover and artistic risk-taking among our clients.”
Erik Selz, Arrival artists
Erik Selz, said: “We want to construct an environment that encourages collaboration, crossover and artistic risk-taking among our clients
“This is not high-minded, nor a vision with tight guardrails, but rather a practical approach to a platform best-suited for the creators we represent.”
Added Selz: “Since Alex and I first spoke and planted the seeds of our partnership, it has felt natural, obvious, unfussy.
“Arrival and ATC share a similar ethos; I am excited to see how our newly-cemented relationship unfolds,”
“A diversity of artists yields a diversity of opportunities.”
Matt Yasecko, Arrival artists
Matt Yasecko added: “A diversity of artists yields a diversity of opportunities.
“Our goal isn’t to corner the market on one genre; it’s to be a home for unique, singular talents that we can champion.”
“In the era of Spotify and playlists, fans are less myopic. As an agent, it’s important to be familiar with many different worlds and deliver a wide range of opportunity.”
Ethan Berlin, Arrival artists
Ethan Berlin added: “How can what we do for jam acts inform what we do for the progressive jazz acts? And how can the progressive jazz acts inform the steps of our developing indie acts?
“That’s exciting to me. In the era of Spotify and playlists, fans are less myopic. As an agent, it’s important to be familiar with many different worlds and deliver a wide range of opportunity.”
“Historically, opportunity sprouts from crisis.”
Ethan Berlin
Berlin added: “Historically, opportunity sprouts from crisis.
“I am thrilled to be able to construct a new agency alongside friends, mentors and some of the best agents in the business while we navigate a new touring landscape, strategizing hand-in-hand with our clients.”
“We all came together organically in a time of crisis and decided our personal and professional ethos were aligned, and now I couldn’t be more proud to call my friends my partners.”
Karl Morse
Karl Morse added: “I think it’s a testament to our personalities and priorities that this group has come together as it has.
“There was no concerted campaign to connect the dots. We all came together organically in a time of crisis and decided our personal and professional ethos were aligned, and now I couldn’t be more proud to call my friends my partners.
“Trust, honesty and hard work are our common values, and to move forward with that shared mindset feels uniquely powerful.”
“Our friends who started Arrival Artists bring so much tremendous talent to their new agency.”
Don Strasburg, AEG Rocky Mountains & Pacific NW
Don Strasburg, Co-President, AEG Rocky Mountains & Pacific NW, said: “Our friends who started Arrival Artists bring so much tremendous talent to their new agency.
“Unbridled passion for their artists and the live experience is a hallmark of the founders. These founders have time and time again shepherded talent to great heights.
“We have done so much together and I am very excited to work with them to bring our communities the joy we all can’t wait to host again.”
“As a new collective, I expect them to do great things. Real music lovers who work hard with integrity.”
Huston Powell, C3 Presents
Huston Powell, Lollapalooza Promoter, C3 Presents, said: “I have had the pleasure of working with all of the agents at Arrival Artists for over 15 years – fantastic group of people who represent a strong roster of bands. As a new collective, I expect them to do great things. Real music lovers who work hard with integrity.”
“This amazing group has always been supportive of independent venues and the entire First Avenue team, and we wish Arrival Artists the best.”
Sonia Grover, First Avenue
Sonia Grover, Promoter, First Avenue, added: “The privilege of working with these agents, some of whom I’ve known for my entire career, has made me a better promoter.
“This amazing group has always been supportive of independent venues and the entire First Avenue team, and we wish Arrival Artists the best.”Music Business Worldwide
