In our last NZ Music Month QnA, we hear from music manager Teresa Patterson about her 24/7 role and what a band needs before approaching a manager.

“Good songs to start off with. It’s all about the music.”

In our last NZ Music Month QnA, we hear from music manager Teresa Patterson about her 24/7 role and what a band needs before approaching a manager.

“Good songs to start off with. It’s all about the music.”

Along with managing bands - including Six60, I Am Giant, Iva Lamkum and Scribe – Patterson is also Chairperson of the Music Managers’ Forum – one of the hosts of this year’s NZ Music Month Summit ‘How to Make Money in Music’ in Auckland on Saturday May 28.

Name/title/company:  Teresa Patterson – CRS Management

What do you do - paint a picture of your typical day.

Unfortunately I don’t have one typical day...although every day consists of me consistently on my laptop or blackberry. But I manage bands, which involves a lot of organising and planning.

How and when did you get into it?

I started managing about nine years ago. Before that I worked for a couple of the major record companies in marketing and promo – Polygram Records (now Universal) and Virgin Records. It wasn’t planned, I just kind of fell into it.

How has your role evolved since then?

The role of the manager has evolved enormously over the last nine years....you really do a bit of everything – manage, book tours, PR, record company, run the artists business, (babysitter, councillor ha ha!)

What advice would you give to others pursuing it as a career?

You need to have good time management skills and a really good knowledge of all aspects of the music industry. If you are really keen, I would get your foot in the door by offering to intern for a management company....as experience counts towards everything!

What does a band/artist need to have sorted before approaching you?

Good songs to start off with. It's all about the music. And then a solid fan base and be able to pull good numbers at their gigs. And the desire to do what it takes to make it happen and to be hardworking.

What are the rewards and challenges of your job?

Success is a major reward, knowing that you helped an artist or band achieve their dreams and goals. and challenge would be the long hours (its pretty 24/7) and not been able to really ever take a holiday.

What are the current challenges and opportunities in the industry - NZ and international?

The challenges are the same all over the world – finding ways to make money from your music when you can't really make money from selling it anymore.

What’s your favourite project so far in your career?

I don’t want to make any of my artists jealous!

Do you play music, or what are your musical influences?

I used to play the guitar – started learning at age six.  Musical influences – the list is too long.

What’s the future of music? What’s the future of your role?

Now that is the million dollar question!

What’s your big idea for 2011?

To find a way to have a holiday and not take the laptop!

Further information:

Teresa has worked in the Music Industry for nearly 19 years. She started at Polygram Records where she worked for five years, starting as a Sales Representative, before becoming Promotions Manager and finally Label Manager for Polydor/A&M/Mercury. Teresa then worked at Virgin Music as Marketing/Label  Manager for five years. For the last 9 years she has worked at CRS Music Management as Manager for Scribe, Six60, I Am Giant, Iva Lamkum, Elemeno P, Deja Voodoo, Carly Binding,  and The Have. Teresa also does the publicity for the Auckland Big Day Out, is Chairperson of the NZ Music Managers Forum and sits on the board of the Music Commission