No 9-5 Job Ever! How Jess Thibodeau Left a Successful Career Managing Prominent Bands To Launch a Branding and Merchandising Agency Part 1

In short

In this first part of a two-part episode, host Eric interviews Jess Thibodeau about his journey into the music business. Jess shares his early life experiences, his move to LA, and his various roles in artist management. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the music industry, the importance of building relationships, and the development of his entrepreneurial skills. The episode highlights Jess's tenacity and adaptability in navigating a non-traditional career path.

Key takeaways

• The importance of building relationships and networking in the music industry.
• The challenges and rewards of independent artist management.
• The need for adaptability and tenacity in navigating a non-traditional career path.
• The value of learning multiple skills and being open to new opportunities.
• The importance of work-life balance and prioritizing personal well-being over financial gain.

Chapters

1. 00:00

   Introduction to Jess Thibodeau

   Host Eric introduces Jess Thibodeau, a long-time friend and entrepreneur, for a two-part episode. This first part focuses on Jess's story and journey into the music business.

2. 01:13

   Early Life and Music Beginnings

   Jess discusses growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, going to Michigan State University, and moving to LA in 2006 with a band to pursue independent artist management.

3. 02:08

   Managing Bands and Early Career Choices

   Jess and Eric reminisce about their early days in the music scene, including Jess managing Native of a New Dawn and Eric's band. Jess talks about his initial uncertainty about a career path and his father's desire for him to join the family's financial planning business.

4. 04:00

   Internship at Shadow Records

   Jess describes his decision to move to New York and intern at Shadow Records, a record label focused on downtempo, trip-hop, and early EDM. This was during the height of Napster and Limewire, a challenging time for the music industry.

5. 05:28

   Challenges in New York and Return to Detroit

   Jess recounts the label folding due to the Napster era, his unsuccessful attempt at real estate, and his eventual return to Detroit. He then gets an offer to manage Native of a New Dawn.

6. 06:55

   Artist Management and Early Hustles

   Jess starts managing Native of a New Dawn, learning about the music industry through books and experience. He also works part-time delivering flowers to make ends meet.

7. 07:53

   Moving to LA with Natives of a New Dawn

   After some success, Jess and the band decide to move to LA to chase a record label deal. They were selling out clubs in Detroit and felt they were on their way to success.

8. 08:52

   Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

   Jess reflects on his experience managing bands and how it helped him develop entrepreneurial skills. He discusses the challenges of making a living in the music industry and the need to hustle.

9. 10:14

   Forming Realized Music and Silverback Artist Management

   Jess forms his own management label, Realized Music, and later interns with Silverback Artist Management, managing bands in the SoCal reggae-rock scene, including Fishbone.

10. 12:11

    Selling Radio Ads and Returning to Silverback

    Jess briefly worked selling radio ads for Clear Channel (now iHeartRadio) before returning to Silverback, where he stayed for several years, building relationships and gaining experience.

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