I don’t even know how to start this post, so I’ll begin by saying PAID DUES 2012 was jaw-dropping.
I was placed to work “Artists Signings/Relations” (which I was SO GLAD to do again!), & got to meet a lot of the artists on the line-up.
The event was divided into 3 stages: Paid Dues, Dues Paid, & Monster Energy. Again, the task was to locate the artists & have them sign 40+ posters which are given as memorabilia to the Guerilla Union sponsors & investors.
From the “Paid Dues” stage I got to meet The Grouch, Sunspot Jonz (he gave me a signed copy of his new album “Galaxy of Dreams”), & Scarub of the Living Legends [Murs & Luckyiam kept passing me by… but we didn’t officially meet : ( ]. I also met Buckshot from Boot Camp Click, Cappadonna from Wu-Tang, Pigeon John, Cookbook & UNO Mas from LA Symphony, Swimteam, Oldominion, & Surf Club.
From the “Dues Paid” stage I met DJ Babu & Evidence from Dilated Peoples, Sick Jacken from Psycho Realm, People Under the Stairs, Ras Kass, Ab Soul, Overdoz, Treklife, K-Flay, Curtiss King, & Reverie.
& from the “Monster Energy” stage I met Brother Ali! Ra the Rugged Man, Rah Digga (sweetheart), Kosha Dillz, Rapsody & Alexander Spit.
I also got to see Andy Milonakis by the artist trailer area, drunk-chasing the policemen riding horses (funny scene). Not relevant to this article, but you know.
I’d have to say that getting the job done was a lot more challenging than it was for Smoke Out; the line-up was so large (about 50+ artists) that it was near impossible to get EVERYONE to sign, we had a lot more than 40+ posters that needed to be autographed, & as we revisted artists rooms/trailers to find the larger acts such as DJ Quick & Kendrick Lamar, we were unable to locate them in the venue.
Nonetheless, I had a GREAT time working Artist Relations again! I’d like to send a special shout-out to Jelani Kimble & his lovely wife Helena—I really enjoyed working with the both of you! Check out daillspot.com & follow them on twitter: @DaIllSpot
Now to wait for my favorite Guerilla Union event of the year, ROCK THE BELLS!, going down August 18, 2012. I really hope the line-up is dope (the headliners haven’t yet disappointed me) & I really, really, REALLY hope I get to be behind the scenes again!
Also an advantage of working Artist Relations—ABSOLUTE FRONT, SIDE, & BACKSTAGE ACCESS.
Wu-Tang Clan & Brother Ali
A few weeks ago, I interviewed two Guerilla Union producers (at the GU office!) as an assignment for my music class. It went so well that I was offered the opportunity to work Cypress Hill’s “Smoke Out” Festival! The position I was given was artist signings—I had to chase the artists around after their sets, in their trailers, or at the meet-n-greets, & get them to sign 30 posters, which are given as memorabilia to the Guerilla Union key-sponsors & producers.
This experience was amazing! With the exception of Mobb Deep & Cafe Tacuba—whom were the two artists groups I REALLY wanted to meet (tear)—I got to meet just about everyone else in the line-up.
Nipsey Hussle was in the room that I arrived to check-in at.
I was also at the artist meet-n-greet table with Fashawn, Sublime, Cypress Hill, Low End Theory, Wolfgang Garter, Schoolboy Q, J Rocc, and other artist. (My assistant, Patricia, was asked by a fan for her autograph—people didn’t know who we were or why we were there, but we looked pretty important).
We visited artists trailers, including Wiz Khalifa’s—& Amber Rose was there, too!—and also got to hang out with Thievery Corporation.
Korn was the hardest artist group to hunt down, but we caught them at their GIGANTIC tour bus after their set.
Some other artists that I also met include: The Dirty Heads, Ritmo Machine, Daedelus, & Nocando.
I can’t stress how much fun I had working artists signings—although (I must admit) I wasn’t familiar with some of the artists.
Since I was representing Guerilla Union, I had to be professional w/the artists and therefore didn’t get any pictures, posters, or autographs for myself (“DON’T GET STAR STRUCK!”). Nonetheless, meeting all of these artists was enough for me!
I’d like to send out a special thanks to Karlo Arenas & Akiko Moritake for the opportunity, & Jelani Kimble, whom was my supervisor & assistant.
Now that I have gotten a taste of live production & the “behind the scenes” to my favorite music festivals, I am looking forward to collaborating in future Guerilla Union events.
Paid Dues 2012, I can’t wait!
Blackstar & Common
ROCK THE BELLS 2011
*Unless otherwise credited, all content is original
Grace Olguin · Copyright © 2011 · All Rights Reserved
