What role do you play in the music business and how did you get your start?

Man I wear a lot of hats bro. I’m the talent manager of Tori Vazquez and LaToya Rene. I’m also LaToya Rene’s business partner/studio manager. My day to day job is to promote, market, and handle client relations at DCL studios. I got my start about five years ago when I was managing a local producer.

During this time, what relationships have you built that have helped pave the way for your success? How important is it that you not only establish, but keep good business relationships in the music business?

Man Conrad has definitely been a major influence. A lot of people/artist don’t know as well. A lot of publicist, DJs, journalist, other prominent managers, artist and the public don’t really understand that it’s the people they never heard of that are the most important and keeping good business relationships is ,like saving money; you never know when you’ll need it. But good business relationships are good only kept if you yourself conduct good business.

How much time out of your day is spent working on building your company and do you think that up and coming artist, managers, etc…. have a jaded view on the time and effort it takes to be a success?

Honestly and this is no joke. I spend 24 hrs a day on building this company (DCL Studios). If I’m not in front of a computer, I’m in the studio, if I’m not in the studio I’m at a venue. I just work really hard. I don’t have much of a personal life, and in a funny way I dreamed of a day I can say that. And I think most people getting into this business fails to understand it’s not all parties and bullshit. Its work, real work!

What is your vision as the Manager of Tori Vazquez and La Toya Rene, as well as your visions for DCL studios?

Man it’s funny you ask that. You herd Tori Vazquez sing right? She’s freakin great, but LaToya convinced me to manage her. Just the thought of managing another artist was mentally draining, but when I heard her music I was shocked at how great she was and I can see why LaToya wanted me to manage her. My vision for LaToya was never get a record deal, it was use her talents to get industry connects. Her and I started this with the same understanding, we’ll find an artist co-manage her, I’d handle the business and she’d handle the music. So really it’s our vision. As for Tori honestly Lyrics I feel like the sky’s the limit. She’s that good. She has the whole package. I was never one for major label situations but with her that’s the only destination, it doesn’t make sense to go any other route because she’s just too talented. As for DCL Studios, LaToya and I want to open a few studios here in NC. We want our name to be the name every NC artist wants to record with because they know we can produce the best product.

 Which market are you focusing on and do you plan to diversify once you get Tori positioned, or would you rather continue to focus on expanding that market?

I think an artist like Tori Vazquez can appeal to almost any type of market. Here’s the thing about music; great music is great music. Music is the only art from that can take you from one emotion to the next within 8 mins, which is probably two songs. I know personally Tori can do that because I heard the records. When you have a product that’s really really great why limit it to one market? Her music, it can appeal to everyone.

What inspired you to use your business sense in the music industry and what motivates you to continue working as the industry is becoming more and more crowded?

I started off in the streets. I’ve been self-employed as long as I can remember. When I was in high school I use to help my friend sell his mix-tapes. It was when I was 16 or 17 I knew the business side of music is what I wanted to do. But knowing what you want to do in life is one thing. Knowing how to do it is a completely different story. I had to work my way into the music industry because I started off completely independent. I never got an internship or worked in the mailroom of a label. I started off as a fan and consumer. So my inspiration comes from the fact that I personally suffered right alongside each artist I ever represented. As far as my motivation It’s simple, if I fail at this then I’m a failure because I have no backup plan, but if I succeed well that’s a different story. This industry has a way of getting rid of the people who really don’t belong so I’m not too worked about it being over crowded.

Do you keep up with indie or unsigned artist outside of the ones you work with or have worked with, and do you have anyone signed or unsigned you would like to manage?

I keep up with a lot only because my job really requires it. You have to understand I go to bed around 5:00 am and wake up around 10:00 am. When I wake up I go to the next room and go to work. I go through my emails which usually gets to be about a dozen or so new artist sending songs. I build relationships because lets be real I want them to work with my company. So I’m forced to listen to other unsigned artist, but I don’t mind it at all. As far as managing I don’t think about it mush because my focus is on DCL Studios and Tori Vazquez. She’s putting out her EP “Louie” of on 12/18/12 and that’s when the real work begins.

 Who does the recording, mixing, mastering, etc… at DCL studios?

LaToya Rene handles all aspects of music I bring in the clients. She’s the musical brains behind the company and actually its founder and creator. We have other producers and engineers we bring in when necessary. She does great work. We actually have two great mix-tapes out right now that DCL mixed/mastered. “Fatal Flight lll The Longest Bars” and “GOTTA Be Famous” both projects are Carolina artist’s projects. I’m helping with the marketing and promo with it that’s why I tossed in that little plug. But we don’t limit ourselves to just hip-hop it’s a studio we want all genres of music to record in.

Last, what packages do you offer and how can you be contacted for booking?

We offer artist way more than any other studio could possibly offer them. Our rates are marketed towards the independent artist but we run a major industry level studio. We have all the latest software for recording, a great engineering room, a great recording booth. But we’ve been able to get clients from all over the country. Dallas, SC, Atlanta, VA, even great up and coming artist here in NC. What we really pride ourselves on is our marketing and promo package. I actually offer that FREE for our clients because their success will only make us look better. Artist can contact me via my email ernmanagement@gmail.com or twitter @ErnestoFernan3

 For an interview on Howsmyrolling.net, Contact Andrew “Lyriks” Holloway at lyriks@howsmyrolling.net!

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  Latoya Rene

I saw that you recently signed a deal with Vyzion Ent, can you give us any details on the deal and how it came about?

-We (Ernesto and I) were looking for a new PR person because ours wasn’t working out for us. Rudy Currence, and artist signed to DTP, gave us a few leads and through a few calls we eventually found Vyzion. 

I hadn’t heard much about Vyzion Ent until hearing about your deal, for those like me who are still becoming familiar with the name, what are your plans as far as marketing Vyzion so that they can tell a difference in their brand since signing LaToya Rene?

-Creating a new awareness with my fans on Twitter and Facebook. I’ve been marketing their radio app, VyzionRadio

How does it feel knowing that others such as your manager Ernesto or companies like Vyzion see your art for what it is and actually appreciate you as an artist enough to attach themselves to what you are doing?

-Its indescribable. The best way I can describe it is it feels like a breath of fresh air after walking through a smoking fog… It’s rare that people see my work for what it is and when people do, its an amazing feeling.

You also signed a deal with Black and Blue Signature Marketing, what do you see possible that may not have been possible before signing the deal and what types of services are they offering to make sure your brand moves forward?

-I see booking regular tours, getting endorsements and sponsorships much easier now. They are a full marketing company that books, solicits sponsorships, places music, and offers PR work to major artists.  Companies only want to put their product in the hands of artists that they know are visible and regularly working, they ensure that I am visible and that the companies see that. With those other products and promotion of them, I create a new awareness for a product and I validated to my fans as a viable artist in the industry.

Last time we talked we discussed your album “Back to Jupiter”, you are still actively pushing tracks from the album such as “Midnight Session” and will be releasing another single in the future “Like Maroon 5”, how important is it that you continue to push tracks from the album longer than someone that is signed to a major label and when do you expect the next album to

be released?

-It is extremely important that I continue to push tracks longer than an artist signed to a major label because unlike the major label I don’t have a wide reach.  Lil Wayne can release something and reach millions of people in a short period of time where as I’m only reaching hundreds or thousands at a time. So I have to push my tracks a little longer.

I’m not certain when I will release my next project as I have been working heavily behind the scenes writing and producing for other artists.

What’s the feedback from “Midnight Session”, how are your fans responding and how will you take the feedback to come back with a follow up single?

-The fans love it! They love that its simple and elusive. Its going to be tough to follow Midnight Session, but what Ive learned from it is sensual songs such as that, don’t need a lot. Keep it simple. Keep it sexy.

Also last time we spoke, you were in the process of opening your studio. What is the status of that and what made you decide to open a studio versus the traditional methods of booking studio time or the basic home studio that many artists now use?

-The studio is up and running. What made me decide to open a studio was I had been recording from some time and was offering studio time as an undergrad at bargain basement prices. I did pretty well for myself and I enjoyed it. The reality is in the industry is there is a lifespan on your career and smart artists wear multiple hats. This is one of mine. I also wanted to provide an economical recording solution to artists who can’t afford $60 to $150 an hour. I know it can be tough out there.

Last, now that your website www.latoyarene.com is up, what would you like to see come from the site and what plans do you currently have to build a relationship with your fans through your site and do you have any other pages or social networks you would like to mention?

-I want fans to know that I’m accessible, that I’m a real human being.  One of the ways that I am going to continue showing that while building a relationship is featuring independent artists on my website. The will have the chance to submit their music and Ernesto or I will do a write up on it and share it with the people who follow my music.

The only social media pages that I have now are on facebook, twitter, youtube and tumblr. I don’t give tumblr as much attention as I should, but I will pretty soon.

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La Toya Rene Back To The Basics

Interview By: Lyriks Holloway

Recently I read an interview that you had with J’Adore and you spoke briefly about your home life and how it impacted you, have you had a chance to tell your story through song and if so which tracks would you recommend to others who may be going through similar issues?

I have not told my story through song. I’m not sure that I’m at point where I can put that to music just yet. So I don’t have a track that specifically pertains to that particular part of my life.

Understandable, many artist began to become interested in music after being inspired by other artist during rough times, what artists or songs did you listen to that got you through the tough times and how much of an impact do you feel the artists or songs made on your decision to become an artist yourself?

Prince, Michael Jackson, Elvis, gospel and really whatever was being played at the house or car I was in during those challenging times. I listened to the sound track of life. Typically during tough times, I didn’t realize I was in a tough time until someone else would ask me how on earth I made it through. Michael Jackson and Elvis are the reasons I started. I saw a special on both of them in the same hour and I turned to my mother and said “I want a candy apple red guitar trimmed in black.” She heard me loud and clear. the rest is history

So you took interest in the guitar early, do you play the guitar or any other instruments?

Yes. I play the guitar, bass guitar, drums and keys. There are a few others but I only like to brag on the basketball court after I bl

ock a shot or three

Sounds like you are a jack of all trades, not only are you an artist, but you play basketball as well. Do you find time to still play since you are very much so involved in music?

Yes I try to find time to play. I think it’s important to be involved in more than one area.

I also read that you coach a basketball team, how important is it to you to give back to the community and to be an example for the youth?

I coach an intramural team and help out with a middle school team from time to time. I think it’s extremely important to give back to the community. In many ways it helps you so as a responsible adult, you must give back. As for being an example for the youth, it’s just as important. You never know who is watching you or listening to you. So it behooves you to stand with respect and dignity. Make sure that you treat EVERYONE with the utmost respect and dignity. Youth don’t hear your words they “hear” your actions.

Now to talk a little about your album “Back To Jupiter”, how did you come up with the title and what are your favorite tracks from the album?

I came up with the title while joking with a friend. I would say “let’s take this Back To Jupiter!” meaning lets take this back to the basics or make it plain. After saying it so many time we got on the discussion of music and how they need to take it Back To Jupiter (basics). My favorite tracks are “Midnight Session”,  “Repeat”, “Pursuit” and “Maroon Five.”

Did you produce any tracks from your album and are there any producers you wish to work with on future projects?

I produced all of the tracks except for “Selfish Love.” My friend William Kid Azul Blue produced that track. In the future I would like to work with Blue again and Lee Blake. Once I hit big time I want to work with Missy Elliott, Andre 3000, Cee Lo, and Brian Michael Cox.

How do you manage to keep your business organized and what steps do you take to ensure that you can focus on your craft?

I try to keep things as simple as possible. I plan out my days after asking myself what is the big picture supposed to look like. I’m not perfect and forget sometimes so I also utilize the help of my music manager.

To ensure that I focus on my craft I schedule time for it. I treat it like a class. For a class you have to study the subject, practice the subject, and apply what you’ve learned through a display of some sort. I also schedule time away from my craft. Like a boyfriend, I may love him to death but I don’t want to see him every moment. I try (key word “try”) to let Ernesto handle a lot of the business. Any artist can tell you it’s tough to have a creative moment when you have to handle a mundane situation in order to be creative.

You also have a studio of your own, I’m sure you record yourself but are you interested in opening up your studio to record others and if so how can they reach you?

Yes. I offer recording time. Right now I am renovating the studio so I can fit a full band in here. The best way to reach me is via facebook or email at www.facebook.com/officiallatoyarene or latoya@latoyarene.com.

Check out La Toya Rene on Facebook www.facebook.com/officiallatoyarene

And Be Sure To Click Here To Purchase Her Album on Itunes!!!