I've been around music my entire life.  My mother, who was a cocktail waitress at a dive bar in South Texas hooked up with my sperm donor “father” who was a drummer in a Southern Rock band.  I had a hand me down record player in my bedroom at 5 years old, and would listen to Hall & Oates, The Bengals and the Star Wars Soundtrack.

I was in recording studios at the age of 19.  I was signed to 2 indie labels (one in the U.K), and was a production manager for Sean Healy Presents in Hollywood for over 2 years.  I booked bands during the day, and then ran concerts at famous venues on the Strip.

My first attempt at doing something music business related started in Austin Texas from 2010-2012.  I had moved back there after L.A. burnout to be closer to friends and ground myself with familiarity, nostalgia and a much needed slower pace.  However, I also brought with me 5 years of L.A. contacts and legit experience.

I started a company called Indigo Music at around 30 years old. I am not sure what it was exactly, but looking back I'd call it an a la carte music consulting and services business.  The core duties I promised bands that signed with me were: streaming placement (streamers were very new and Pandora was king), sync deals through media placement, venue bookings as a band representative and mixing and mastering.

It actually went pretty well. I had no trouble putting together a roster, and helped a few artists climb a couple rungs on their journey.  The big issue was: I didn't know how to make money.  I was too empathetic in the venture.  “Oh you're a broke band, I totally get it because I've been there.  You can pay me the 20% fee after the next show.”

It crashed out suddenly after 2 years, and I left a bunch of artists hanging and probably burned some bridges.  I'm notorious for dramatic Irish Exists, ghosting, whatever the term of the generation is these days.  After that, I was extremely hesitant to attempt any business venture, so decided at the time that it was best to stay in my lane as a creative.  Producer, rapper, mixer, engineer only.

In the summer of 2020 I was living in Boston, MA.  After a 2 year hiatus from anything creative I once again purchased some cheap recording gear (I've regrettably set up and sold or given away entire production studios several times in my life) and set up shop in a rental house in Watertown, MA. 

Within six months I had dozens of beats cooked up and was making social media videos.  During this process the name: DROP BARON RECORDS came to me.  I am not sure how or why, although I know the meaning behind it (insider info only) but it stuck and it felt “right”.  

At first it was just a logo that I slapped on top of my videos.  I wanted to create the semblance that this raw music was something different than fuck around bedroom beats.  I was collaborating with artists around the country, and wanted to use the name as an anchor to show that this “means something”.  I've always made art to share.  Whether through pause mix tapes, concerts, radio show's, etc.  If I make a track, it's getting out there somehow.

This year, everything has changed.  I've worked with ChatGPT for months developing a legitimate business strategy on how to launch an arthouse, indie, hip-hop record label from my small office in Wilimington, NC.  I've had the AI work on my least favorite part: accounting.  It assisted with how to set up the LLC, and several other aspects of running a business that I find mundane.

We (the label) will be releasing 2 vinyl's this year alongside a full online store offering records, tapes, merchandise and sample packs.  I'm giving myself 3 years to turn a profit.  It's 100% a passion project.  I have a clear vision of the sound I want to bring to the masses.  If I were to compare it to anything I would confidently state that I want to re-create the sound of labels: Definitive Jux and early Ninja Tunes releases.  Can't wait to share my vision with the world.

photo credits: RC Peters & meerkat

painting by: Reggie Warlock