INTERVIEW: Matt Adler of Nue Agency

14 Jan

Dirty Laces got a chance to speak with Matt Adler, a Junior Talent Agent at New Universal Entertainment Agency (NUE Agency). Our interview with Adler offers not only an inside look at one of the top talent agency’s in the country, but also inspiration and motivation for those grinding to get a spot in the industry. Keep reading and you will see what we mean…

Dirty Laces: Did you find Nue Agency or did they find you through your work throwing concerts at University of Maryland?

Matt Adler: I guess I found them. It started when I reached out to Dan Weisman (Elitaste) who was managing Wale at the time to bring him to UMD in September of 2008 for a show. Dan referred me to Jesse Kirshbaum (founder of NUE Agency, and Wale’s agent) to get the deal done. The show was a huge hit, and Jesse even came down for it. Somewhere during the process we realized that Jesse’s mom was actually my elementary school principal. After the show wrapped I asked Jesse if I could intern for him that summer. He was into it and from there we got things going.

DL: Did you always have a passion for booking/planning shows or did you discover the passion while in school?

MA: It was completely random how I came into it. Always had a passion for music, but never knew much about the booking/planning side until I got to Maryland. I joined the concert board the end of my sophomore year, and just got really enthusiastic about it. I think it was originally the adrenaline of getting to bring the people I was listening on my iPod “to life,” but once I hit my stride it was about outdoing what had been done before me.

DL: What does your current position of Junior Talent Agent entail on a day-to-day basis? Favorite part about the job/least favorite part?

MA: I am the “Responsible Agent” for three of the clients on our roster (White Panda, Chris Webby, and Hoodie Allen). This essentially means that we communicate directly and I handle their live careers. I also work on getting shows for our other artists (Posner, Wale, Chiddy Bang, XV, 2AM Club, and more) who’s responsible agents are Jesse Kirshbaum and Matt Maysonet. Being a Junior Agent means balancing all that work while being trained to handle situations as they arise. It also means taking on a certain amount of administrative work (contracts, contact management, accounting) to help me learn the logistical side of the industry. My favorite part of the job is waking up in the morning and heading to work. My least favorite part is going home.

DL: What are you listening to right now in your iPOD?

MA: Every morning starts with “No Hands” and “Black and Yellow” when I’m driving to the train haha. Big Sean, White Panda, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Chris Webby, Mac Miller, Posner, Drake, Wale, Lil Wayne (always), Kanye (always), King Fantastic, Hoodie Allen, Childish Gambino, and Chiddy Bang are in rotation right now too.

DL: Where do you see your career going in the next five years? What is your ultimate career goal?

MA: In the next 5 years I see myself learning a lot, continuing to develop my craft, and bringing everything going on right now to a larger platform. The idea is to take something small and turn it into something big, whether it be our client’s careers, the agency, or my career personally. I’d like to eventually represent athletes and actors along with musicians, and maybe even get into film production. My ultimate goal in life is to remain passionate and happy about whatever I’m doing while making a lot of money along the way.

DL: What advice can you give college students doing the same type of event planning & booking you did?

MA: I would tell them that the door couldn’t be more open. It’s all right in front of you, you just to reach out and grab it. Leverage your position (many of you already do). You have a very real opportunity to do some very real things, just keep a straight head on you and always try to change the game.

DL: What was your favorite album of 2010?

MA: Gotta give it to papa Kanye.

For more on Matt, Check out:

twitter.com/NUEmattadler