This event is sponsored by Finessed Media, Inc. and hosted by Abby Martinez and Marley Davis-Hewitt.
The importance of quality music journalism is still crucial for artists at all stages of their careers. Independent artists especially must take note of music journalism's ongoing evolution as they pitch blogs and writers. Securing a valuable piece of press — whether it's an interview with a major outlet or a review on a small, niche blog that's hyper targeted to readers who would devour your music — can mean big things.
This week we will be chatting with a lovely group of established music journalists: Bhaven Moorthy, Eric Diep, Lawon Exum, and Ray Sang. They share an impressive rappor writing for publishing like Billboard, Complex, Finessed Media, IndustryMe, NBC, Sidedoor Magazine, and TNE Magazine.
We’ll be discussing the importance of written press features as well as exactly what music journalist are looking for in music, pitches, and star quality.
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Agenda:
12 - 12:10pm ET Introductions
12:10 - 12:45pm ET Interview with Bhavhen Moorthy, Eric Diep, Lawon Exum, and Ray Sang
12:45 - 1pm ET Live Q+A with Zoom Audience
1 - 1:30pm ET Networking/Listening Session
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LISTENING SESSION
The event will be concluded with our weekly listening session. 6-8 artists will have a chance to play their music in front of a live audience and will receive constructive criticism from our speakers.
To be considered for music play in the listening session, artists must purchase a SUBMISSION REVIEW ticket and submit one song LINK (preferably Spotify) by Friday 10/22 at 9pm ET with subject line "SATURDAY SUBMISSION" to info@finessed.media.
Our team will screen your music for relevancy to audience, quality, and how beneficial the feedback will be. If your submission is not accepted, you will receive a full refund. Submissions that are accepted will have 1:30 to 2 min of their song played in front of the audience.
Must be a Finessed Media VIP Career Development member or purchase a SUBMISSION REVIEW ticket for consideration.
Songs will be reviewed before the listening session and your purchase will be refunded if the song is not accepted.
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Bhaven Moorthy, a Mississauga, Ontario-based content creator pursued a degree in economics and business before making the decision to chase a career in the arts. After using his love for music and journalism to get his foot in the door, he is now focused on the various
ways he can help develop the careers of the creatives around him. Writing press releases, connecting artists with brands, and sharing his story along the way, are just some of his current pursuits. He works with Fragment Radio, Sidedoor Magazine, and 6ixBuzz TV, all based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Eric Diep has written for Billboard, Complex, Vulture, HipHopDX, and XXL. He is a freelance journalist based in Texas
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Lawon Exum (He/Him). Innovator encompassing pop culture, entertainment, music, education, and social justice in the form of storytelling. Lawon has been in the entertainment industry for 26 years and counting. He started out as an intern at XMRadio turning to be the first to be hired as a Production Assistant for XMJazz. As his education allowed him to graduate from University of Maryland in Broadcast Communications he took his skills to working as an A&R at Arista Records working with artists such as Usher, Pink and The Neptunes featuring Pharell.
As his dreams got broader he moved to Los Angeles and landed a job at Sony Pictures Television as a TV Legal Assistant turning into a Paralegal. As his sorry could not get any better Lawon became a household name from being on CBS Big Brother Season 13 as a participating house guest where fans immediately held his fan base a LAWONderFul. As he took the opportunities that were given to him. Media and communication professional covering race and culture related stories across all mediums and platforms. My colorful personality will lend a unique perspective to news coverages, podcast storytelling which resonates well with viewers in both the traditional and digital space.
He attended USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism to receive a dual Master's in Communication Management and Specialized Journalism (The Arts). First class to graduate in 70 years at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. His participation contributes to being the first Black male student to walk across the stage to receive their Master's from USC Annenberg Class of 2021. He hopes to continue to lead by example for anyone who wants to get into the entertainment and music industry.
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Ray Sang as a journalist and founder of the media platform IndustryMe, Ray has built her career by having candid conversations with creatives about their journeys and perhaps unseen struggles. Seeing each interview as an opportunity to learn something new, Ray's approach to journalism is centred around giving fans an unfiltered insight into the entertainment industry and specifically spotlighting the talent outside of the mainstream. When she isn't writing, Ray is stirring up discussions as 1/3 of female-led music and culture podcast Rhymeshe and endeavors to continue talking about the issues that really matter.
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