NOISEMAKERS:
THE Q4 KICKOFF
With the newest roundup of Noisemakers for 2019, we present a fresh batch of rising professionals from different parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.
Lucky for them, this feature—and $4.95—will get them a commemorative pumpkin spice latte at participating Starbucks locations.
Christian Coffey
Tour Director/Owner, Coffey Black
Coffey’s current focuses include planning for Run the Jewels 4 and corresponding touring, Childish Gambino headlining ACL and some unannounced A$AP Rocky events, as well as forthcoming Zara Larsson dates. His favorite memories include working with Banksy and Run the Jewels, who performed at instillation Dismaland, as well as Donald Glover when he both hosted and performed on SNL. On two separate occasions, he’s been able to get different people from one country to another on planes and through customs without passports in hand. That’s some serious chutzpah.
Abigail Parsons
SVP, Talent & Partnerships, Cultivated Entertainment
In picking a favorite career moment, it’s pretty hard to beat booking Beyoncé for a conversation with Anderson Cooper at the UN. Just ask Parsons, who’s currently involved in projects that include work with Lights Out With David Spade, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Planet Bio, DoSomething, MUSACK and LeBron James’ Becoming. The well-liked exec, who once helped produce a Big Lebowski documentary, is clearly a multifaceted woman. And if you run into her, make sure to ask her about that time she got deported on her honeymoon.
Michael Weiss
Director of A&R, UnitedMasters
According to Weiss, the creation of Noah Cyrus’ “Make Me Cry” turned out to be an amazing way to kick off both of their careers. At the time, he was managing Cyrus and Labrinth, who produced and co-wrote the record. Now at UnitedMasters, Weiss is championing Nascar Aloe—an artist he says authentically represents both punk and hip-hop. He’s also building out the team’s A&R/music-strategy. You may not believe it from looking at him, but he had his day as an all-county football player in high school. Unfortunately, his highlight tape isn’t on YouTube.
Ryan Thomson
Music Agent, CAA
Thomson had worked tirelessly toward becoming a CAA agent for the better part of his career—from 2011 to 2016. When Head of Music Rob Light calls to discuss tour plans for their shared client, Lil Nas X, Thomson still feels all tingly inside. The Philly native, who swears he has cheese whiz from Steve’s Prince of Steaks running through his veins, is proud of what clients like Lil Nas X and Lil Tecca have achieved. He’s also excited by buzzing newcomer Clairo, as well as Smino and up-and-comers Aries and tobi lou.
Nathaniel Kuo
Associate, The Zia Firm, PLLC
Kuo pivoted from corporate-finance deals at large international firms to music law, working/training under Adam Zia. He manages day-to-day legal for high-end clients like Tierra Whack, French Montana and Polo G. And he’s got a growing roster of his own that includes DJ/producers The Martinez Brothers, tastemaker Kerwin Frost and composer Lucas Vidal. The sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast, who’s on his eleventh reading of Dante’s Inferno, is now working on a global sneaker/apparel-brand endorsement deal.
Justin Macchio
VP, Marketing, AWAL Recordings
During the rollout of film Straight Outta Compton, Macchio found himself at the Rolling Stone cover shoot with client Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Dre introduced himself, and Macchio hasn’t washed his handshake hand since. Lately, all the Lauv activity has seriously excited Macchio, who got involved in the project before “I Like Me Better.” The marketing man also had a short-lived career in a pop/rock band that peaked one night when, playing a Third Eye Blind cover, he realized he was much better at getting his band opportunities than actually being a musician.
Angela Asistio
Music Supervisor, Associate Producer, Music and Strategy (MAS)
Asistio, who served as music coordinator for A Star Is Born, music-supervised a trippy movie that recently premiered at Fantastic Fest to great reviews. That film—executive-produced by Tim Robbins and shot completely with ’80s VHS cameras—features music by Weyes Blood, Fruit Bats, Conan Mockasin and Vulfpeck, among others. Asistio’s ad clients include McDonald’s, Ford and Google, and she music-supervised the livestream and edits for the Vera Wang spring/summer 2020 runway show. If you’d like to be her buddy, try showering her in “natty wine.”
Tori Johnson
Senior Director of Creative & Digital, Big Loud
The HARDY Hixtape project has inspired one of Johnson’s favorite rollouts yet. She says the “hick-mixtape” provides ample space to explore some wild ideas that might not work on a standard album release. She’s proud to have had a small part in the launch of Nashville’s first all-female label, Song & Daughters. At Big Loud, she’s focused on helping four developing artists form their identities and brands. Four years ago, the then-assistant sent Seth England to the wrong restaurant to meet Todd Hensley—at least that’s the excuse England gave Hensley when he bailed.
