The University of Arizona recently launched its first ever music business club for students interested in the business side of the music entertainment industry.
UA sophomore Nick Austin is a founder and president of the Arizona Music Business Club, which he hopes will create networking opportunities for students interested in pursuing music business. The goal is to connect students with music managers, artists and agents.
Austin said there is money to be made in the music industry, and his club can help people get started.
Arizona Music Business Club allows students to network with professionals in the music industry and provides opportunities to help students get their foot in the door.
The club hosts professional guest speakers from record labels and industry professionals to talk to students. Club members meet managers including Disco Line manager Eli Beiber and Jackson Patrich, who manages Loud Luxury and Twinsick.
During these presentations, guest speakers talk about the business of music from an artist’s perspective, including how they view bookings, managers, labels and how they put out music. Conversations also explore behind-the-scenes strategies.
The club also hosts a podcast called “Green Room,” where they interview DJs and rappers before their shows on Greek Row. The podcast so far has featured D.O.D and Laszewo.
“Arizona is a hot spot for student-run fraternity concerts,” Austin said.
Austin is following the lead of the University of Michigan’s music business club, which inspired him when he created the UA club.
Austin tapped three friends to help lead the club: Christian Whitehouse, Danny Karofsky and Nolan Coley – juniors who are interested in pursuing music careers – were named vice presidents.
Austin, whose goal after college is to be an artist manager, said launching the club has helped him with internships in the music industry and allowed him to easily network and connect with working professionals.
Nick Austin and members of the UA music club met with Mike Sherm before a Kappa Sigma fraternity concert.
UA student Brody Burk attends the club meetings and said it is a great networking opportunity.
“Students have a broad interest, one of which being definitely music and DJing, and not a lot of them know how to publicize it,” he said.
Burk said the club also focuses on the production side of putting on fraternity concerts and has helped him with his communication skills, including interviewing celebrities.
The club meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Berger Auditorium in McClelland Hall, 1130 E Helen St. For future meeting dates and more on the club, follow them on Instagram @theazmbc.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School.
