Monday evening, Feb. 24, Light Bulb Artist Management hosted a showcase for their represented artists in conjunction with AU record label Orangehaus Entertainment’s artists.
The event was orchestrated to bring live venue owners to hear Light Bulb’s artists who could be potential acts to book for different venues. The showcase was open to anyone to watch and was recorded to send to other potential employers.
“This is a step in the right direction for artists here on AU’s campus,” Light Bulb co-founder Austin Hostetler explained. “They are proving that just because we are a small Christian school, that doesn’t mean we don’t have amazing talent here.”
The performers in the showcase were A-Town Trio, Cassidy Lee, Hadley Duke, New Colors, Jules K, Hope Lynn and the Rock Bottom Boys of Madison County.
“We chose these performers because the showcase was put on by Orangehaus and Light Bulb Artist Management,” Hostetler said. “Four artists were from Light Bulb and the others we felt would really help enhance the showcase to show the talent that Anderson has.”
He said the showcase helped with experience in the form of stage time for the artists.
“The showcase showed us all what it really takes to be in the music business and showed us what we need to work on,” Hostetler said. “Giving these artists stage time will help them improve their live performances. It takes work to get to the top, but if you are willing to work it, there’s nothing stopping you from getting there.”
Light Bulb Artist Management was formed in the fall of 2019 and is managed by alumna Abigail Stamper and sophomore music business entertainment major Austin Hostetler. Stamper brings an understanding of performance aesthetics, networking and branding, while Hostetler focuses on the legal, logistical and business aspects of the company.
Austin Hostetler, co-founder and a manager of Light Bulb explained that he wanted to start the agency because he noticed a multitude of talented musicians on campus and felt pulled to help them out. He added that he wanted to provide the artists with more of a business mindset of the music industry without compromising their artistry and truth.
Hostetler continued on Light Bulb’s purpose and goal.
“The music business is harsh and can diminish an artist’s creativity and passion. We feel that we can create a space in which artists feel safe to explore their artistry while being sensible about the reality of business.”
The management company provides many opportunities and services for the artists, including branding, logo designs, cultivating looks, sounds and identities as artists, creating merchandise, album releases, tours and booking gigs. They also go over potential deals, find different ways to market the artists, aid the artists in making connections and help grow fan bases.
The numerous roles the agency takes on allows the artists to focus on their craft and passion while still growing in the business part of music business.
Gerald Potts, a member of the band New Colors represented by Light Bulb Artist Management, spoke on their experience working with Light Bulb.
“They’re good at telling us how to do it without telling us what to do. We can still have our own vision of what we want to do but they’re helping us get that across.”
Potts continued, “They just want us to have to focus on the music and the writing and just what we love to do and they’ll take care of the rest.”
Another artist represented by Light Bulb, Cassidy Lee, explained one of the most significant ways the agency has affected her.
“They’ve really helped with making my sound consistent and that’s something I really struggled with.”
Light Bulb Artist Management continues to make great strides in the growth and exposure of their artists as well as their agency. The recent showcase not only provided an opportunity for the artists to perform for other students but for professionals in the music business world searching for new and different artists, an incredibly important experience for AU students to further their careers in the music field. Hostetler described Light Bulb’s hopes for the future.
“I hope that we can continue to grow and learn so that we can continue to give everything that we possibly can to these artists. Everything starts somewhere, and I am excited to see what awesome things will happen in the future.”