NOISEMAKERS—WITH A SIDE OF TRYPTOPHAN
As Thanksgiving nears, we find ourselves grateful for these rising professionals from different parts of the biz, whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good. They find themselves wondering who those turkeys at HITS are and why they keep calling.
If you know a Noisemaker and want to embarrass them by getting them featured here, email Editor Samantha Hissong at [email protected]
Maria Arangio
Associate Director of A&R, Columbia
In college, Arangio used to plan concerts and festivals, and during her senior year, she booked SZA. The exec, who signed Lil Tjay in 2018 and worked closely with him during the build to his Top 5 debut album, is proud of the now-platinum single “Brothers” and new single “F.N,” which was just certified gold. She’s currently working on signing an exciting new artist and getting more involved in the She Is the Music organization, which helps empower women in the biz.
F. Cody Lauzier
VP/GM, Global Touring, AEG Presents
Lauzier looks back fondly on promoting Katy Perry around the world and taking Tyler, The Creator to arenas in North America. This year, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are touring together, and he swears there’s more cool shit on the horizon that he just can’t talk about yet. The new dad, who met his wife when they were both 12 years old, is also a dog dad to two giant and loveable pit bull mixes.
Lindsey Lanier
VP of A&R, Motown
The most rewarding parts of Lanier’s career have involved discovering and signing new talent early on and creating collaborative ecosystems, and seeing the results of her efforts has been immensely gratifying. She’s done this with Jhené Aiko & Childish Gambino (“Bedpeace”) and most recently with Tiana Major9 & Earthgang’s “Collide”—from the upcoming Queen & Slim soundtrack she’s been working on. Speaking of Earth gangs, she’s trained in wilderness survival. So if you ever need to outrun a grizzly bear or something, she’s got your back.
Marlee Ehrlich
West Coast Promotion, Glassnote
With a background as co-captain of her college swim team, Ehrlich knows relentless determin-ation, making her a perfect fit for radio promo. Watching clients graduate to bigger stages and commanding crowds brings her lots of joy. A special moment, in particular, arose when The Teskey Brothers blocked foot traffic with their sound at Life Is Beautiful. Ehrlich’s Glassnote team just launched a new Mumford track with a lovely message, newcomer Taylor Janzen is releasing music, and she’s delighted to be working with the Teskeys and Jade Bird.
Chris Jordan
Music Agent, UTA
Jordan was the second hire in UTA’s music department, which has grown from five agents to more than 100. Needless to say, his mind has been blown witnessing the agency’s growth over the last five years. Jordan, who’s strategizing with YG’s team on his upcoming European tour and confirming plans for next year, is also working on Tierra Whack’s 2020 tour plans. The first album he ever owned was Bow Down by Westside Connection, which he bought with allowance money in the fourth grade.
Alexander “AE” Edwards
VP A&R, Def Jam
Hailed by some as “the new young king of R&B,” AE has written with and for some of the biggest names in rap, including Kanye West, Tyga, YG, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross and Chris Brown. He played an essential role in Tyga’s career reinvention, co-writing and co producing some of the star’s biggest hits. And he helped launch Def Jam’s Undisputed new-artist compilation, as well as the Rap Camp series. AE discovered and signed YK Osiris, whose debut hit, “Worth It,” has surpassed 500m streams and is now double-platinum.
Kenzie Wood-Marrero
Senior Director, Brand Partnerships, Paradigm
The first time Wood-Marrero saw a billboard for a campaign she’d landed, it was Herschel’s “Look-Forward” initiative. She feels fortunate to work a roster of more than 2k clients, and she just booked three badass females—ABIR, Jesse Jo Stark and Betty Who—for Bustle’s Rule Breakers event. She’s proud to continue Jade Bird’s partnership with Bose and is working on securing the lineup for Subaru WinterFest for the third straight year. In her spare time, you can find her haggling for “old lady” antiques, flea-market finds and weird vintage duds.
Lori Giamela
VP Rhythm Promotion, RCA
In two years, Khalid went from performing at the Roxy to selling out Staples Center; talk about a wild ride. Giamela, who co-heads the Rhythm department, is excited to break Doja Cat and be part of the SIR project. She’s spearheaded strategies for SZA, Goldlink, A$AP Ferg, H.E.R., Davido, Normani, Calboy and Gashi. Under her leadership, RCA became the #1 Dance Club Songs label two years in a row and the #2 Rhythm label. She can do just about anything—except ride a bike, she confesses.
