BY RANYA KHOURY

How many times have you heard this?: “Choose a job you love and never have to work a day in your life.” I’ve lost count. Confucius and clichés aside, there’s something valuable to take from this quote; passion is one of the most important qualities to have when it comes to a career. Consider the music industry. People who are passionate about music genuinely don’t mind working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Just look at Canadian playlist gurus Ryan Thompson and Ariel Carter for example.

With early stints as producers and curators on Soundcloud, Thompson and Carter—founders of The Drunken Coconut, a marketing and consulting company that specializes in artist development—quickly realized how difficult the road to success can be for many talented but unknown artists. They decided to launch The Drunken Coconut in an effort to help emerging acts reach the next level. The company offers a wide variety of services for all artists and labels, beginning with The Husk—a user-friendly platform focused on growing an artists’ fanbase—and including an on-site blog. The pair have worked with hundreds of artists across various genres and countries, including names like The Chainsmokers and Alan Walker.

Upon reaching a level of success with their artist portal, Thompson and Carter decided to focus more on their roles as playlist curators—this time conquering Spotify. They've since accumulated more than 63k followers. The kicker? The Drunken Coconut has only published three public playlists. Utilizing a submission hub, the duo gets around 6k track considerations per week, consuming their days with listening to music nonstop. “It can get a little overwhelming at times, especially because it’s only Ariel and I, but it’s all worth it in the end," says Thompson. "There’s a sense of enjoyment we get when helping an artist progress." Their most-followed playlist, Fresh Coconuts of the Week, features a diverse selection of artists, including DAVVN, Andrea von Kampen and lovelytheband. The best part is that it only features 20-30 songs per week, giving each artist a solid shot at being heard.

Thompson also mentioned that out of the 6k track requests they receive, about 50 of those make it on their blog, where visitors can find pages devoted to "fresh singles," news and reviews. “It makes for a great read with lots of variety. Ariel and I love writing about the tracks that scream ‘Everyone needs to hear this right now!’” And with services that include artist advertising and producer tools, the company's website further proves the duo’s strong passion for music is clear. Check it out for yourself.