NOISEMAKERS: THEY'RE PRETTY LOUD

In our latest roundoup of Noisemakers, we present a fresh batch of rising professionals from different parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.

While this sorry excuse for a magazine won't get them into any fancy parties, we hear it's a great coaster.

Caitlin Harriford
A&R/Marketing, Keep Cool

What’s cooler than being cool? Signing artists and helping build super-hip RCA JV Keep Cool’s brand via merch and marketing partnerships. Harriford is still riding the high from Lucky Daye receiving four Grammy noms, and she’s rolling out a new project for a yet-to-be announced Keep Cool artist. Shooting her first shot as an undergrad, Harriford convinced Entourage creators Scott Vener and Doug Ellin and to hold a Q&A and an advanced movie screening for her classmates. Now we’ll shoot ours: Can we get some merch?

Ashley Sidoti
VP of Promotion & Digital, The Valory Music Co.

Sidoti experienced a full-circle moment recently when Brantley Gilbert & Lindsay Ell’s “What Happens in a Small Town”—co-written by one of her songwriters from her publishing days—went to #1. At TVMCO, she and the team are pumped for Avenue Beat, a female trio with killer harmonies that she says are as authentic as they come. Sidoti and her touring-musician husband are also road warriors who plot their movements with a color-coded travel calendar.

Justin Garza
Founder, The Dream Adopters

Since launching his management hub in 2018, Garza has wasted no time cementing his place in the creative community. Songwriting clients Melanie Fontana and Lindgren—who landed tracks on BTS’ Map of the Soul: 7—shattered four Guinness records with their smash co-write “Boy With Luv” f/Halsey, including the single-day streaming record at YouTube. Garza’s roster also boasts Gino Barletta, Omega, Soaky Siren, BJC, Wow Jones and Capitol’s DeathbyRomy, who’ve collectively worked with Dua Lipa, Bryson Tiller, Kesha and other name acts.

Monica Damashek
U.S. Latin Music Lead, Spotify

While toiling at the Bible 10 years ago, Damashek wrote the first-ever cover story on Justin Bieber. She also had Jack White sing “Happy Birthday” to her backstage at a White Stripes show on her 21st birthday (seriously, WTF?!). At the streaming kingdom, she recently celebrated Latin flagship playlist ¡Viva Latino! reaching 10m followers with a sold-out show in Miami featuring Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam and Rosalía. Damashek is currently working on top-secret Latin-album campaigns while supporting the Mexico team for the upcoming Spotify Awards.

David Goldsen
Senior Director A&R, Warner Chappell

Goldsen, a competitive ping-pong player, was closely involved in the development of Vance Joy, and fondly recalls witnessing the young artist’s ascension from playing open-mic nights to a stadium world-tour slot within a year of his debut-album release. New records from Tones and I, Cavetown, Two Feet and Nathaniel Rateliff have Goldsen excited and inspired. He’s humbled by the songwriters he works with who share their craft with other artists while writing their own hits. He cites finding talent as one his talents, and his FIFA skills are top-class.

Annie Aberle
A&R Director, Pulse Music Group

L.A. native and USC alum Aberle got her first start in artist management working with film composer/ executive Robert Kraft. She joined Pulse in 2018 as an A&R Coordinator, working with the company’s pop roster. Last year, after being upped to A&R Director, she signed hot artist/producer SG Lewis. Aberle also works with hit songwriters Tyler Johnson (Harry Styles, CAM), Andrew Jackson (Dua Lipa, Alicia Keys), ALDAE (Joji), Tommy English (Kacey Musgraves), 1Mind (French Montana) and more—all while sipping the tastiest oat-milk matcha lattes on the East Side.

Mary Petro
Music Agent, UTA

Petro has been lucky enough to work with artists she personally admires, including the multitalented Jane Krakowski and Cynthia Erivo. She’s part of a small group of agents working to extend UTA’s reach in the Latin touring market—beyond global superstar Pitbull, they’ve invested in the next wave, including Monsieur Periné, Ángela Aguilar and Nanpa Básico. It helps that she’s been a Latin-music diehard since discovering Shakira’s Pies Descalzos in elementary school. The Alabama native is fluent in Spanish and Italian.

Christine Kauffman
SVP Brand Partnerships, Island Records

Kauffman is particularly proud of the Island 60th anniversary pop-up at Dolby Sound, where she gave Chris Blackwell a sneak peak of the immersive exhibit, and he heard Bob Marley mixed in Dolby Atmos for the first time—a memorable moment for all involved. She’s currently setting up programs for Jessie Reyez, The Killers, Demi Lovato and more, along with the Island brand itself. Speaking of partnerships, Kauffman and her husband strengthened their own by claiming victory as contestants on the The Newlywed Game. On brand.