NOISEMAKERS:
ALL THE RAGE
In our first Noisemakers roundup of 2022, we present eight more rising professionals from different parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.
That said, a shout-out from this rag and seven bucks still only gets them an oat-milk latte at Starbucks.
Taylor Vaughn
Senior Director, Media, Republic
Vaughn knew her efforts alongside Noisemaker alum Nicole Hajjar to break Glass Animals were paying off when friends went from “Who’s that?” to “Can you get me tickets?” The English band’s Grammy nomination for Best New Artist is surely further proof. Vaughn and co. dug into their “creative ways to promote a touring band during COVID” playbook for a Tonight Show performance at an empty seaside amusement park called “Dreamland”—just like GA’s album. Though it clearly hasn’t held her back, Vaughn can only snap her fingers using the pinkie.
Max Kaplan
VP, Digital Sales, Columbia
Kaplan feels fortunate to have helped Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” to a record 19 weeks atop the pop charts (beating the 16 weeks Mariah Carey’s “One Sweet Day” logged in 1996). He’s currently working on global DSP plans for the likes of Adele, The Kid LAROI, Polo G and ROSALÍA. Kaplan uses data analytics to evaluate track performance and potential against macro-level consumer behavior trends to develop new music rollout strategies. As far as his own data, the exec’s Spotify Wrapped surfaces the same 50 pop-punk songs every year.
Erica Ramon
VP, DAS Communications
Ramon scored a career coup in 2017 coproducing her client Fergie’s Double Dutchess: Seeing Double // The Visual Experience. Her latest professional peaks include handling The Pretty Reckless, which has scored seven #1 Rock hits and will soon be touring behind its album debut, 2021’s Death by Rock and Roll. Committed to supporting young people seeking entry into the music biz, she created a course for L.A.’s Icon Collective and serves as a Grammy U mentor. Our support of youthful industry strivers amounts to staying out of their way.
Cory Andersen
Founder, PRYSM Management
2021 saw Andersen launch the first drag brunch and pride parade to transpire at a major festival, Firefly. A ticketed add-on, the brunch sold out in 15 minutes; the parade featured a performance by PRYSM client Monique Heart. Andersen’s lately been wrangling sold-out tours for JORDY and Catie Turner. On his bucket list: visiting an alpaca farm, a prospect that sparks joy in the heart of this veteran talent advocate. We like to think visiting us would spark joy in his heart, but we’re not as cuddly as an alpaca (and chew our cud much more noisily).
Dashawn “Happie” White
Music Producer; Director, A&R, Empire
White did A&R for Yung Bleu’s 2021 #1 indie album, home to the 2x platinum “You’re Mines Still” f/Drake, and enjoys writer/producer credit on “Die Under the Moon” w/John Legend and “Beautiful Lies” w/Kehlani. He also secured “Paradise” f/Bleu for H.E.R.’s Grammy-nominated Back of My Mind. His latest contributions have been to Fireboy DML’s “Peru” f/Ed Sheeran and the late Aaliyah’s upcoming Unstoppable, which includes “Poison” f/The Weeknd. Next: Dreezy & Hitboy. White’s mad ping-pong skills are key to his multitasking success.
Mackenzie Woodson
Director, Digital, The Core Entertainment
Staring as an intern, Woodson has been with The Core since its founding in 2019. Now leading the company’s digital efforts, she loves watching artists grow from small hometown shows to storied venues like The Ryman. Her latest endeavors have included the cover art, lyric video, content creation and rollout plan for Sony Nashville’s Nate Smith, who’s been buoyed by his viral single “I Don’t Wanna Go to Heaven.” In college Woodson was an F45 fitness instructor. Today, she runs half marathons. We can’t even walk half a straight line.
Gabriel Lister
Managing Partner, Independent Co.
When Lister was Carnage’s day-to-day manager, he coordinated Wiz Khalifa, Rae Sremmurd, Rick Ross and DJ Khaled for the DJ’s 2016 Ultra mainstage performance. Last year, he helped rapper Theophilus London bring to life Bebey, featuring Tame Impala and Lil Yachty. Lister has signed Trousdale, Between Friends and ASTN—whose cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” scored 20m streams in its first month—to label alternative Independent Streaming. While his passion for running is a new development, he may still be able to outrun this mention.
Rebecca “Dimplez” Ijeoma
Founder/Head of Digital Marketing, IJEOMA
Ijeoma ran point with DJ Premier on promoting Gang Starr’s first album in 16 years (see: billboard in Times Square), led digital for Queen Naija’s “Karma”—including the 72 hours it outpaced Drake—and booked Quavo for Twitter’s Blackbirds initiative. This digital architect/marketing savant has lately been concentrating on brand opportunities for up-and-comers like Flo Milli and CKay. Having studied to become a physical therapist, Ijeoma changed course when she got a call to help build Funkmaster Flex’s website. We expect she’s wondering why she took a call from us.
