3Q

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Matt: 

Matt works on the artist relations team at YouTube, helping artists grow their audiences and careers through everything from marquee projects to the daily grind. He also focuses on livestream partnerships that turn events into global moments, and co-manages the process for booking artist partnerships within the company.

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Natalia:

In her role as Chief Content Officer at Primary Wave Music Publishing, Natalia is responsible for creating monetizable opportunities across the entertainment and media landscapes for the company’s legendary and iconic artists and music catalogues. This includes development and production of documentary films, scripted projects, stage musicals, podcasts and innovative technology partnerships around Primary Wave’s assets and artists. 

Prior to joining Primary Wave Music Publishing last year, Natalia was General Manager of the Global Music Group at United Talent Agency, where she oversaw a team of over 100 music agents and 150 support staff across six offices and helped establish the group as a leader in talent representation.  At UTA, Natalia was instrumental in building out the group’s brand partnership, tour marketing, business affairs and client services divisions, and she played a key role in the company’s acquisition strategy.

Recognized as a power player in the music industry, Natalia has received multiple features on Billboard’s annual Women In Music and Power 100 lists, and on Variety’s Women’s Impact lists. Natalia is on the Music Industry Advisory Board for Save The Music Foundation, and recently served as Executive in Residence at NYU’s Steinhart School of Music Business.

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Peter:

Peter Gray is known as a fearless leader in the modern promotion arena. The Wisconsin native started his career with an internship at A&M Records in Hollywood, CA in 1998. After cutting his teeth as an independent promoter, he was quickly pulled into the major label orbit as a Clive Davis protege at the onset of the newly created RCA Music Group in New York. After nearly a decade, he was lured back to the west coast by Warner Bros. Records - where he started his tenure as the youngest major label head of promotion, and ended as General Manager. He is currently EVP & Head of Promotion at Columbia Records.

Gray made multiple appearances on Billboard’s 40 under 40 and is a regular fixture on Variety’s Hitmakers list. He’s an in-demand public speaker and guest lectures on the music business regularly at both Stanford & UCLA. Chances are, if you’ve heard hit songs on the radio from artists such as Harry Styles, Adele, Lil Nas X, Dua Lipa, Macklemore, Muse, RHCP, The Black Keys, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon (and plenty more) - they started their journey to your ears and the top of the charts in his office…

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Jason:

Jason Lipshutz is the Executive Director, Music at Billboard, where he has written about music for over a decade and penned cover stories on Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, U2, Blink182, Lorde, Bon Iver, and several others. He’s appeared on 'Access Hollywood,' 'Good Morning America,' 'TODAY,' 'Entertainment Tonight' and other broadcast programs. And he is formerly the deputy editor of digital at Fuse Media, where he contributed to Vibe Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Spinner, and Popjustice!

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Jay: 

Jay Schumer is currently the Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Marketing at Columbia Records. He's been able to work from the ground up at the label as he began his career as an assistant on the sales team and later jumpstarted their first-ever street marketing department where he expanded the organization to 50 reps across the US. 

Known for being an incredibly passionate and creative executive, Jay has also spearheaded campaigns for artists like Tyler the Creator, Polo G, Dominic Fike, and Lil Peep. And is the man behind iconic events and appearances for artists like Beyonce, One Direction, and John Mayer. 

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Jamie:

Jamie Krents is the Executive Vice President and head of Verve, Impulse! and Verve Forecast Records.  A veteran of over twenty years at Universal Music Group, Krents took over these legendary labels in early 2019 after many years running the group’s international marketing department.  During his two decades at Verve, Krents has worked with a diverse group of artists including Kurt Vile, Diana Krall, Rod Stewart, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Jon Batiste, Arooj Aftab, Harry Connick, Jr., Mary J. Blige, Ondara, amongst many others.

Krents was instrumental in finding and acquiring the tapes that made up the very successful lost John Coltrane album, “Both Directions at Once” in 2018 and, in 2022, Verve recording artist Batiste led the music business with a historic 11 Grammy nominations and ultimately won five Grammy’s, including the coveted Album of the Year award for his record, We Are.

In addition to his career at the label, Krents is an in-demand bass player who has recorded, performed and shared the stage with acts including the French Kicks, the Walkmen, LP, M. Ward, Karen O., Lou Doillon, Hamilton Leithauser, Metro Area and more.  His playing has also been heard in film, TV, and ads for brands from Tik Tok to Apple.

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Nicole:

Artist Manager, advocate, and consultant, Nicole Barsalona leads Everyday Rebellion Entertainment (fka 525 Entertainment), specializing in artist development and international market development for artists like Prateek Kuhad and Mark Wilkinson.

A passionate advocate, Nicole proudly serves as President of 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Women in Music, where she joined the Board of Directors in 2013 and has helped usher in record growth since becoming President in 2019. She serves on the Executive Board of Music Managers Forum (US), the largest and leading trade organization for music managers in the U.S.

As an industry leader, Barsalona has been quoted in Forbes, Billboard, the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, the Boston Globe, The Week, Mashable, and Music Row, among others. She has been a featured speaker at Grammy Pro NY:LON Connect, Pollstar Live, SXSW, Mondo, General Assembly, Reboot, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, Boston University, and more.

Barsalona started her career at Steven Van Zandt's multi-media company, Renegade Nation, where a week-long temp gig turned into the most formative years of her career. Barsalona eventually served as Chief of Staff and Director of Communications at Renegade Nation, and Road Manager to Van Zandt on tours with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Suzanna:

Suzanna Slavin is SVP of A&R at independent record label Mom+Pop. She began her career at the label as an intern in 2013, eventually landing a full-time job in January 2014. Working alongside Founder and Co-President, Michael Goldstone as his Executive Assistant/A&R scout, she began to research and pitch viable new talent while building a presence in the industry by attending shows and seeking out prospective signings. As her career progressed, she began to do A&R coordination across the roster.

In 2016 Suzanna was promoted to A&R Manager. At that time, she had brought forth Australian producer and multi-instrumentalist, Tash Sultana and played a vital role in their signing. In the years to come, Suzanna was instrumental in the signings of French producer FKJ and GRAMMY-nominated electronic artist, Tycho. In 2019, Suzanna stepped into her role as Director of A&R and a year later was promoted to VP of A&R. She now serves as SVP of A&R since January 2022. In the last couple of years, she was involved in competitive signings such as Chicago-based band Beach Bunny and indie-R&B artist Evann McIntosh.

No matter where you are in your career, you’ll benefit from listening to 3Q.

3Q provides a window into the careers of some of the best in the music business. Every episode is an insider's view of the realities of life as a music executive. Topics include issues of empowerment, uncertainty, trust, finances, etc; issues that will impact you both personally and professionally. The executives we interview represent every aspect of the industry including but not limited to A&R, Marketing, Music Supervision, Artist Management, Promotion, and more.

The best part? Every executive answers the same three questions and 3Q never takes more than 15 minutes of your time.

About Donna:

Donna Ross Jones is the Founder and President of Transition Music Corporation. She has enjoyed success as an entrepreneur, artist manager, music supervisor, music publisher, and has worked with iconic artists such as Eddie Murphy and Anita, Baker. She has also been featured on the Hollywood Reporter's 50 Most Influential Women in Entertainment list and named Essence Magazine's Entrepreneur of Excellence.