The Manager’s Playbook 023: Nick Groff - Billie Eilish, MGK, Jacob Collier, Avicii, A&R, Artist Development, Major Labels, Fan Engagement & The Manager's Role
In this engaging discussion, Nick Groff, a seasoned A&R expert with 16 years at Interscope, shares insights on his work with stars like Billie Eilish and Avicii. He delves into the evolving roles of A&R in balancing creativity with commercial demands and the impact of social media on artist discovery. Groff highlights the importance of genuine artist-fan relationships and offers innovative strategies for deeper engagement. He also emphasizes the significance of dedication in navigating today’s complex music landscape, making this a must-listen for aspiring industry professionals.
02:18:21
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Understanding A&R Role
A&R stands for Artists and Repertoire, focusing on scouting talent and managing artist music catalog.
The role extends beyond signing artists to creatively partnering and navigating label politics for artist benefits.
insights INSIGHT
Labels Balance Data and Development
Major labels sign many artists based on data and current market trends for faster returns.
Significant artist development requires huge time and resource investments, which labels balance with commercial risks.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Vision for Jacob Collier
Nick Groff signed Jacob Collier knowing commercial success was uncertain but believing in his long-term artistic significance.
Jacob became the first artist nominated twice for Album of the Year without a charting single, showing success beyond traditional metrics.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Dubbed 'the industry bible' by the Los Angeles Times, this book has been the definitive guide to the music industry for over thirty years. Now in its eleventh edition, it updates readers on the profound changes in the music business, particularly the impact of streaming, which has monetized music based on the number of streams rather than sales. The book also discusses the mega-million-dollar sales of artists’ songs and record catalogs, the influence of TikTok, music created by AI, and the latest numbers and trends. It is essential for musicians, songwriters, lawyers, agents, promoters, publishers, executives, and managers, offering a broad overview of the industry and practical advice for navigating its complexities.
Outliers
The Story of Success
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success. He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck. The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role. Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success. The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way[1][3][4].
In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, we’re joined by Nick Groff, a veteran A&R with 16 years at Interscope and a roster that includes Billie Eilish, Jacob Collier, Machine Gun Kelly, and Avicii.
Nick pulls back the curtain on what A&R really looks like at the major-label level, from discovering and developing talent to navigating data, pressure, and the realities of today’s music industry.
We get into artist growth, fan-building in the age of algorithms, and why strong relationships still drive lasting success. A must-listen for artists, managers, and anyone serious about the business.
Watch the Episodes On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
The Manager's Playbook 
