This is Industry Insider: a weekly 5-minute brief with key news, interviews, advice, smart picks & follows, built for artists and industry folks alike.
👆 ONE BIG THING
Stop signing deals built on somebody's promise to try.
Here's the thing: every other deal in this business gives you something tangible. A distribution deal gets your music on shelves. A publishing deal gets you an advance. A record deal (even a bad one) gets a record made. But a management deal? A management deal gets you one thing: somebody's word that they'll do their best.
That's it. A handshake and a hope.
Jonathan Simkin — entertainment lawyer, founder of 604 Records, the guy who's been Nickelback's lawyer for over three decades — laid this out on the heartdea13r podcast: a great manager can be the best move you ever make. A wrong one can destroy your career. And the contract that binds you to them? Way harder to exit than a booking agent or a label deal gone sideways.
So stop treating management like a life raft. Stop grabbing the first person who shows interest because it feels good to have someone believe in you.
Before you sign anything, require the tangible. A 30/60/90-day plan with specific actions. Clear role boundaries. An exit clause that doesn't trap you if it goes wrong. Ask the question most artists are too grateful to ask: "If this falls apart, how do I get out clean?"
The right manager will respect that question. The wrong one will balk.
Know the difference.
Let's get into it.
🗞 INDUSTRY NEWS
Leading dance music label Ultra Records has announced that Carlos Alcala has joined Ultra Records as Director of A&R.
Wavelength Music has announced the programming for the Wavelength Music Festival + Conference 2026 (WMFC26), taking place in Toronto.
💯 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Dave Fowler, musician and Co-Owner of Bass Frontiers Magazine, joins us to discuss his career and the challenges of the music industry.
💬 INDUSTRY ADVICE
With 30 years in the music industry fronting Prism and Simon Kaos, Darcy D discusses the importance of having a skilled voice coach.
🎧 INDUSTRY PODCASTS
Tedy shares his journey of self-discovery and the importance of authenticity in his music. He reflects on the impact of recognition, the challenges of navigating identity and loneliness, and the cultural roots that shape his resilience.
Discover exactly what’s missing in your promo strategy and which lever will move the needle the most…
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