Management Firm Rocket Music Launches in NYC — Representing Producers, Mixers and Artists

HELLS KITCHEN, MANHATTAN: Feeling neglected? U.S. music pros tired of going it alone may have just gotten some help from across the pond.

Rocket's US office is on the lookout for top production, mixing and writing talent statestide.

The recent opening of the New York offices for Rocket Music Entertainment Group is good news for producers, mixers, and elite songwriters looking to raise their game even further. As the name suggests, Rocket has serious bloodlines: Its co-founder is Sir Elton John, and he’s tasked his staff with taking an artist-oriented approach to their work.

Operating from Beat360 Studios with a panoramic view of Manhattan’s West Side, Rocket Producer Manager Ollie Hammett explained how the firm is building on what management for music and sound professionals can do.

Get us oriented. When was Rocket Music founded?
Founded in 2011, Rocket Music Entertainment Group is an international music management company co-founded by Sir Elton John, with the core of the business being focused on artist management. Rocket has offices in London, New York and Tokyo, offering its artist clients support on a worldwide scale. In both London and New York, Rocket combines its offices with integral recording studios available to its artists. The company employs managers who come from various facets of the music industry, bringing with them an array of experience at major record labels, radio, talent booking and business affairs.

What differentiates the company from other management firms?

Rocket was founded by one of the most celebrated and accomplished artists of all time, for the direct and ongoing benefit of other artists.  The artist’s sensibilities are literally in this company’s DNA.  Elton’s interest in Rocket is driven by his passion for contemporary music.  Now that we’ve opened the New York office, Rocket is truly global, with a unique ability to connect the dots around the world for our artists, producers, and writers.

What is your role and goals here in the NYC office?
Rocket’s New York office was setup by General Manager Mike Tierney. My title is Producer Manager, I’m responsible for the management and development of the US producer roster division of the business.

I represent a roster of producers managing their different production activities and business affairs. My goals are to continue to develop the careers of the clients I represent, helping them to find fulfilling and rewarding projects, create awesome music and reach their full potential.

That sounds like a dream gig. Who is on the NYC producer/engineer/artist management roster currently?
Mark Saunders — Producer/Mixer/Writer known for his work with The Cure, Neneh Cherry, David Byrne, The Shiny Toy Guns and PNAU.
Dan Romer — Producer/Mixer/Writer for Ingrid Michaelsen, He is We, Lelia Broussard, Ian Axel and Jenny Owen Youngs.
Teddy Geiger — Producer/Writer with a Billboard Top 10 single “For You I Will”, the Columbia Release Underage Thinking, and the 2008 film The Rocker.

What do you believe is the role of a producer/engineer manager today?
I believe the role is manifold – overseeing producers business operations, identifying new opportunities, acting as a sounding board for the creative process, facilitating and mediating where necessary. Working alongside labels, management companies and publishers to find appropriate projects. Liaising with lawyers, negotiating deals and looking at new creative ways of structuring contracts. Also especially nowadays, more than ever, to look beyond just record-making in the traditional sense and leveraging producer/writer skill sets across different markets and mediums e.g. brand consulting, licensing, TV, film and games development.

That’s a big agenda! So how will Rocket Music be a particularly good foundation for you to help them with their careers?
Rocket’s core business is artist management with an impressive track record of breaking artists on both sides of the Atlantic. This track record, combined with a team of executives who have a wide array of experience from labels, radio, marketing, digital strategy, studio management, finance and business affairs provides a unique environment for producers to develop their careers within.

— David Weiss

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