Within the high-stakes world of digital music, the place the calls for are as relentless because the rewards are exhilarating, Kompass Music Group is charting a course in artist administration grounded in psychological wellbeing and neighborhood.
Based by trade stalwarts Blake Coppelson, Jay Rogovin, Alec Donkin and Jade Gaines, Kompass, which was named EDM.com‘s greatest artist administration agency of 2023, is redefining success by prioritizing artists’ artistic freedom and development from a holistic perspective. With a roster as numerous and dynamic as Classic Tradition, Of The Bushes, UZ, Carola and extra, the workforce understands that nurturing psychological well being is important for sustaining lasting careers.
Integral to this mission is Kompass’ collaboration with 4 O’clock Consulting, a partnership with psychological well being advocates Kristin Karas and Stacey Forrester. Collectively, they carry a considerate, structured strategy to assist the people behind the music, serving to to fortify a tradition of care and accountability. Their alliance echoes current findings on the ability of digital dance music to boost psychological well being, underscoring the style’s distinctive capability to uplift and supply solace.
Kompass manifested this ethos in a spectacular means on the 2024 Amsterdam Dance Occasion, the place the corporate hosted an intimate boat occasion alongside NOISIA’s influential label, VISION Recordings. Reworking a decommissioned industrial vessel right into a floating warehouse, the atmospheric occasion featured What So Not, Opiuo, Skeler and extra, whose performances resonated with the visceral, genuine vitality that Kompass cultivates so nicely.
David Giovannini, Mouna Dif and Franz Hilberath, three of the seasoned members of Kompass’ workforce, share a imaginative and prescient for artist administration that transcends the normal to champion careers marked not solely by achievement, but additionally by resilience, goal and neighborhood.
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EDM.com: Kompass is all about shaking up the established order—what was the second you realized the normal artist administration mannequin wasn’t working, and the way did that spark the creation of Kompass?
David Giovannini: I would not essentially say that the conventional artist administration mannequin wasn’t working, as a lot because the mannequin wasn’t working for these of us who got here collectively to type KMG. The formation got here collectively by us managers collectively pulling from private experiences, each on the enterprise and neighborhood involvement sides. All of us have a deep relationship with music, and now we have actively participated within the creation and curation of music communities based mostly amongst genres we love. Approaching enterprise with the data and expertise as passionate event-attendees, in addition to, having fashioned deep, life-long relationships as a consequence of music, has allowed us to navigate the artist/administration relationship from a spot of commonality.
Mouna Dif: After I joined the corporate a bit of over a 12 months in the past, I used to be drawn to its mission of shaking up the normal artist administration mannequin. I’ve all the time felt that the previous methods of managing artists didn’t absolutely assist their artistic freedom or adapt to the ever evolving trade. Kompass stood out as a result of it embraces innovation and places the artist on the heart, serving to them take management of their narrative and discover new methods to attach with their viewers.
Franz Hilberath: I actually related with Kompass’ dedication to inclusivity in constructing a administration workforce, the real take care of artists and workforce members as people, and the overarching aim to champion genuine, distinctive artistry. This inclusive and caring strategy was a sport changer for me—it highlighted that the normal, typically transactional administration fashions had been now not adequate in supporting true inventive freedom and private development.
EDM.com: Kompass has partnered with 4 O’clock Consulting, recognized for his or her work in areas like danger discount and psychological well being. What led you to collaborate with consultants from exterior the music trade, and the way has that formed Kompass’ strategy to artist administration?
David Giovannini: Our collective experiences as contributors inside the “music scene” has given us perception as to why conversations round hurt discount, psychological well being, and the music trade are crucial. In life, now we have all gained a lot by way of the sub-communities inside digital music. These experiences led us to grasp that these communities perform greatest once we lean onto and study from each other. 4 O’Clock helped us collectively type Kompass’ core values, which we consider are the 5 most-important pillars to how we function as artist managers. They’re an integral department of KMG that provides direct session and stewardship with each artist and supervisor concerned with the corporate.
Mouna Dif: Our partnership with 4 O’clock Consulting goes past supporting artists—it extends to the individuals working behind the scenes, like managers, who play an important function in shaping an artist’s profession. As a lady supervisor pushing boundaries and advocating for ladies artists, their assist has been very important to my well-being and that of the artists I characterize. In a male-dominated trade the place preconceptions nonetheless exist, the battles we face are more durable and generally is a actual pressure. 4 O’clock Consulting has been instrumental in serving to each my artists and myself navigate these challenges and proceed to maneuver ahead.
Franz Hilberath: The collaboration with 4 O’clock Consulting displays our strategy to offering extra complete assets for managers, who typically have thankless, exhausting, and typically maddening roles. They verify in on us not simply as professionals however as individuals, fostering a holistic office setting the place I really feel supported each personally and professionally. This partnership has been essential in nurturing a supportive, team-oriented tradition at Kompass.
EDM.com: If Kompass may design the way forward for dwell occasions, what would that seem like? How do you envision your artists connecting with followers in additional significant methods past simply the music?
David Giovannini: As managers, we’re diplomats of the artistic imaginative and prescient. If the artist desires it, our mission is to construct it to the very best caliber of our capacity. Whether or not it’s a darkish, intimate room with sweat dripping from the ceilings, or an over-the-top manufacturing meant to tingle each human sense – we wish to make it occur.
Artist-fan connection needs to be consensual on each side. An artist has to wish to take that interplay “beyond just the music,” and the followers need to wish to interact and take part with what the artist places on the market. In the long run, authenticity is essential.
Mouna Dif: My imaginative and prescient for the way forward for dwell occasions entails creating intimate and distinctive experiences in memorable areas. I think about smaller-scale gatherings the place artists and audiences can join authentically, permitting followers to type lasting reminiscences. Providing unique merch and distinctive parts would make every occasion particular, guaranteeing these experiences transcend simply the music and foster significant connections
Franz Hilberath: Constructing on what Mouna talked about, I see a future the place underground acts create extra distinctive, private experiences. Whereas industrial, mainstream occasions are at a peak, there’s a rising demand for authenticity and fewer commodified experiences. The longer term lies in intimate, memorable occasions that enable followers and artists to attach on a deeper stage.
EDM.com: Success within the music trade could be fleeting. How does Kompass assist its artists construct not only a momentary buzz, however a profession that withstands the take a look at of time?
David Giovannini: The whole lot I’ve talked about – shared expertise, deep ardour, artistic imaginative and prescient, neighborhood engagement, psychological well being checks. All of those parts are the kindling to the fireplace one must tackle “the industry.” Pair all of that with a trusted workforce that’s in place to grasp/refine/accomplish, and ideally, that can result in a protracted, fruitful profession. Additionally, typically you simply need to experience the experience.
Mouna Dif: We concentrate on long-term success by nurturing every artist’s distinctive creativity. As an alternative of utilizing a one-size-fits-all strategy, we develop personalized plans that cater to every artist particular person wants & needs. We additionally perceive the significance of a balanced profession and keep away from relying solely on income streams like touring. Most significantly, because the music trade evolves with AI and algorithms and new applied sciences proceed to erode artists’ streaming income, whereas touring turns into more and more expensive within the present financial disaster post-COVID, we information our artists in diversifying their work to construct sustainable careers that may face up to the take a look at of time.
Franz Hilberath: We concentrate on fostering long-term model and enterprise well being. Our strategy helps create a sustainable model and artistry that helps artists in utilizing their careers as a automobile to progress by way of life and obtain private milestones, very like others in additional conventional careers. We actively audit, handle, and enhance their model, enterprise, and private lives—these are the pillars of our long-term assist technique.
EDM.com: What’s an unconventional lesson you have realized from managing artists that most individuals wouldn’t count on, and the way has it formed how Kompass operates right now?
David Giovannini: The character of our work permits us the liberty to journey, go to venues, join with groups and discover new cities around the globe. KMG encourages our managers to accompany our purchasers at necessary/distinctive occasions and join with our friends past that subsequent Zoom name. This has allowed us to type a worldwide internet of assets and relationships. Additionally – airtag your baggage and gear!
Mouna Dif: An unconventional lesson I’ve realized is the ability of embracing vulnerability. Many assume artists ought to all the time venture confidence, however authenticity creates deeper connections with followers. This has formed Kompass by encouraging our artists to share their true selves of their music and interactions. We foster an setting the place vulnerability is seen as a energy, resulting in real engagement and lasting relationships.
Franz Hilberath: An unconventional lesson has been the ability of flexibility. In a area the place rigidity could be the norm, studying to adapt to the sudden—whether or not it is altering trade traits, private artist wants, and even international occasions just like the pandemic—has taught us the worth of being nimble and responsive. This flexibility has formed Kompass to be resilient, guaranteeing that we and our artists can thrive in any circumstance.
