Earlier this year, Michele Harrison struck out on her own, launching her own management company, MPH Collective, following a 20-year career working with the likes of Alanis Morissette, Vampire Weekend, Raphael Saadiq and more.
She founded the company after stints at Montone, Friends At Work and Range Media Partners, realizing her desire to do things her own way.
Harrison said MPH’s values include “community, family, valuing people, longevity, loyalty, support, love and financial gain for everyone.” Its members include R&B star UMI, alternative pop duo Beau, R&B singer Healy, hip-hop producer KaiGoinKrazy and producer/writer Austin Daniel Brown.
Harrison knew she wanted to work in music while growing up in Los Angeles in the 1990s and dating a member of the punk rock band Pennywise. “I would watch them meeting business people and I thought, ‘This is what I want to do,'” she recalls.
Due to the lack of music industry education programs at the time, Harrison ultimately chose to study law. After graduating and working as a paralegal, she met Montone founder, attorney and manager Ian Montone through the band she was playing in at the time, who gave her the break she needed.
Montone hired her to work at his music law firm, and when he left and went into management, Harrison followed. She spent 15 years at Montone, working with Vampire Weekend as well as Broken Bells, The Shins and Jamie Foxx, before leaving to seek development and more autonomy.
Here, we talk to Harrison about the lessons she’s learned in her career so far, the qualities required in management and her thoughts on the most exciting developments in the music industry today.
How have you seen the role of a manager evolve over the course of your career?
Being a manager is really just about being a problem solver and a support system. Everything in the music industry is constantly changing, so you have to be ready to push, transform, conquer, and support artists through whatever new things come along. Many in the industry no longer view artists as human beings, but more as products. I think you need to focus on the well-being of the artist first.
What are the other traits that make a good manager?
It’s about giving artists space to be real people and feel safe. This is the #1 job description. How are they going to make art if they’re scared, if they feel like they can’t fully express themselves? Because that’s what it’s all about – expression of self.
Go deep into the business, pay attention to every detail, don’t miss anything, get things done, understand marketing, and keep up with the changing ways of the industry. In addition, interpersonal relationships are a very important part of it. Have the right support, surround yourself with great people who can help you achieve your goals, and take care of them like you would an artist.
We talk a lot about success, but what has been your biggest failure in your career?
I would say my biggest career failure has to do with not being true to myself and letting things get to a point where I didn’t feel comfortable. This usually comes down to a relationship with poor communication, which was my problem too, or you not expressing yourself enough or engaging in things you’re not necessarily passionate about. In my opinion, you can’t really evangelize an artist you don’t love.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s a spiritual message about staying in touch with yourself, trusting your gut, speaking your truth, not being afraid, and not letting yourself get out of touch with your gut.
Was there a time in the past when you felt like you were stuck in the opposite pattern?
of course. Sometimes, when you put your head down and work hard, you don’t realize it. For me, that’s been the case for years. I didn’t even check in with myself, only to find myself falling into the same patterns over and over again. Then I finally wake up, ask myself why, and look back at those moments where I ignored, underestimated, or dismissed a gut feeling as untrue instead of exploring the feeling and figuring it out.
What is the most exciting development in the music industry today?
It feels like a return to true art and that the TikTok era is over. Artists are no longer signed because one thing goes viral. I think the industry recognizes that a lot of artists are not artists. Some are, but you can’t predict which one is which. It’s nice to see you can’t really manipulate the system anymore.
Without gatekeepers, streaming has flattened that. People will find songs they like.even if [by] With a great artist, it’s hard for a machine to make a song successful, it really depends on whether the fans actually like it or not. It’s really exciting.
What do you think is the key to longevity for artists today?
You can’t give up. You have to be true to yourself and don’t try to chase trends. There are going to be a lot of ups and downs, it’s a very tough career and you have to keep moving forward.
What is one thing you hope to change about the music industry?
I would change the fact that this industry is run by these big companies. It feels like healthy competition is not enough.
“Big companies get super big, layoffs happen, and then a bunch of really smart, talented people go out and create new opportunities for themselves.”
I do think that’s changing – we’ve seen this over time: big companies get super big, layoffs happen, and then a bunch of really smart, talented people go out and create new opportunities for themselves. Then you will see the rebirth of energy. We are in that place now.
Why is corporate dominance bad for business?
I just don’t think it’s healthy for a few people to make all the decisions, like we have with Lucian Grainge and [UMG] There is currently a dispute with TikTok. I’m not saying this is right or wrong or bad or good, I don’t know enough about it to really comment on it, but it feels like this is a fight between a few people that is affecting the music industry as a whole. It seems that the balance of power has been tipped.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?
Believe in yourself and speak your truth.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in music today, whether it’s the business side or the artist side?
This is what I said before, be true to yourself. I had an artist say they weren’t really a morning person but were making an effort to start waking up early. I thought, “Why?” If you’re not a morning person, don’t become one. If you force yourself to be someone you’re not, you won’t be the best version of yourself. Hone in, get to know yourself, find your true self and pursue it.
What are your ultimate ambitions for MPH Collective?
I want to be one of the largest management companies in the world, not necessarily in terms of number of employees, but in terms of market share. I actually wanted to keep it boutique, but with world-class artists. It sounds corny, but do it in a more caring, less corporate, people-centered way.
Can you define a person-centred approach?
It’s about respecting others and trying not to judge or criticize. Encourage them to be themselves and make the most of their talents. It’s about work-life balance, not over-balance, and giving people time to do whatever makes them happy and have a balanced life.
Virgin Music Group It is the global independent music division of Universal Music Group, which brings together Universal Music Group’s record labels and artist services businesses, including Virgin and Ingrooves.
global music business