All of you who read our Eisley review or Sherri Dupree interview might be interested to learn that we’ve managed to score an interview with their publicist Natalie Bisignano, who not only works with them but plenty other bands. I suggest any or all of you people interested in a career in the music industry specifically as a publicist should get ahead with this:
Please state your name and what you do?
My name is Natalie; I handle all publicity for Equal Vision Records.
When did you decide that you wanted to be a publicist? and what prompted the decision?
NB: While I was at AIR MTM doing my internship. I was working on regional press for the incredible jazz trumpeter, Abraham Wilson and I had confirmed some features/previews in online/regional newspapers along his tour but there was one interview in particular that has always stood out as a turning point to me. I snagged a great radio interview for him and I remember my supervisors turning the station on in the middle of the work day and everyone listened along. It was just one of those moments where I realized, “Wow. I did that. I set that up…” It’s something I’ll never forget and I still love that feeling of seeing/hearing the results of my hard work and being able to help further someone’s career.
What university did you go to and what course did you specify in?
NB: For undergraduate and graduate school I went to the University at Albany, which is in upstate NY. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Rhetoric with a minor in Business Marketing and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication.
When did you start in the profession you are currently in?
NB: I’ve been doing publicity at Equal Vision Records for a little over a year now. My first taste of working in the music industry was in my last semester of college where I did an internship at AIR MTM in London UK in 2008, in their publicity department. I couldn’t have asked for a better first internship - my coworkers were brilliant and they let me dive right in by doing regional publicity. There’s no better way to learn how to do something than to be given a task and having to figure it out how to accomplish it all on your own. After completing that internship, I moved to New York City and did internships at Universal Music Group in Corporate Communications and at MTV Networks with mtvU/College Media Network. While in grad school I focused on staying involved in music by doing an internship with NoteworthyPR and writing for Substream Music Press and various freelance writing/photo outlets. In my last semester of school I did an internship at Equal Vision Records and also wrote my thesis on the label. A few months after graduating, they called me up and asked me to come back to work full-time!
When did your career “officially” begin?
NB: I’d say that my career started when I was hired here at Equal Vision in June 2010. Everything leading up to being hired at EVR was really important - I don’t think I would have ended up here without the exact sequence of internships, school and various industry experiences - but my actual career in publicity and the music industry didn’t truly start until I was hired full-time here.
Bands that you work for/with?
NB: The entire Equal Vision family! Right now we have about 24 bands on our current roster. Some are more active than others with touring and putting out music but they’re all phenomenal and so much fun to work with. It’s amazing that I get to work with such a diverse lot of artists, ranging from metal to indie to pop and everywhere in between. Some artists with upcoming releases include Say Anything, This Time Next Year, We Came As Romans, Set It Off, I the Mighty and The Dear & Departed. That’s just a handful of our entire roster, but even just in that group you can see just how many different styles of music we represent. It keeps everyday interesting and exciting, for sure!
A band you would like to be a publicist for?
NB: It sounds cheesy but I really couldn’t ask for a better roster of artists than I already have. I genuinely love this label and the music that our bands create. We have so many talented artists; I am extremely lucky to work with such a great roster.
What do you love about your job?
NB: Seeing results! Being able to see our bands grow from baby bands who are just starting out, develop musically and professionally into artists who are on the cover of magazines and headlining tours is absolutely incredible. As an intern, I remember doing mail-outs for We Came As Romans’ debut full-length album to press outlets and sending out their posters to venues when they were just the opening act on some smaller tours. Now they’re selling out venues around the country as the headliners, touring internationally and I’m coordinating their photo shoots for magazine COVERS. It’s pretty wild to see how far we’ve both come in just a couple years.
If you weren’t a publicist what would you be?
NB: I was originally planning on working in advertising, somewhere between the design side and business side where I would mesh the two together and be able to use my creative skills. The music industry swept me away though and I have no regrets! I also really love photography, but it will likely always just be a fun hobby for me.
Funniest thing that a bands done/or funniest thing you’ve experienced while working for a band?
NB: Oh, I don’t even know where to start! All of our bands are really funny. I remember when ORBS stopped by our offices last year, Ashley and Goose sang country tunes to us in deep southern drawls and danced around the office - including one fancy duel high-kick that they showed off. Ashely also sang songs from the movie “Fieval Goes West” to us. I’m not quite sure how that came about but it was so spot on. She is one of the most entertaining people I’ve ever met, such a sweetheart. I almost always end up laughing to the point of tears when I watch Chiodos’ video updates; specifically ones with Brad Bell dancing and/or raising Prince up (his puppy that he brings on tours with him) to the tune of The Lion King. Texas In July is another group that’s really kindhearted and full of hilarious antics. I want to make a sound app of all of the hilarious things that they say with their Pennsylvania accents. It wouldn’t be nearly as funny if I quoted them in a written interview, but they are definitely some of the funniest guys I know. And Brad from This Time Next Year is pretty much like a little brother to me, he’s always trying to prank me and get me all riled up haha. As you can see, everyday is an adventure with my roster haha love it!
A motto you live by?
NB: I don’t really have a specific motto, but I just try to live my life in a manner where I’m always working as hard as I possibly can and looking forward to what’s next. There’s always more to be done and more to achieve. If I had to choose a motto though, I’d say, just be yourself! I’m all about being honest and true to who you are.
Someone who inspires you and why?
NB: So many people! I look up to a lot of entrepreneurs, especially photographers, graphic designers, writers and anyone else who has become successful through their creativity. Two bands that I completely admire musically and creatively are Mutemath and OK GO. Everything they do is so mindblowingly interesting and unique. I actually get a little bit jealous when I think about it haha they definitely inspire me to push myself to think outside of the box.
The most ridiculous thing someone has said to you (a band member, a fan of a band you were working for, etc..)
NB: I can’t think of any specific examples but really, every conversation that I’ve ever had with Joshua Moore from We Came As Romans. We’re both extremely sarcastic…I can’t even imagine what people think when they hear our conversations haha.
Advice for people who want to do what you do?
NB: Be nice to everyone! Make sure you’re working in the industry for the right reasons. And be prepared to work 24/7. Publicity isn’t for everyone because it’s one of those jobs that you can never completely check out of, you need to always be available and thinking ahead to what’s next.
Get involved, meet people, and work hard - whether you’re volunteering at a venue, working on a street team, interviewing bands, or interning at a label -always make the most of what’s available to you. There’s no such thing as “downtime” at an internship or a venue, there’s always something productive that you can find to do! And don’t just wait for opportunities to come your way…if nothing is readily available in your area, create your own opportunities. Book your own shows, start your own website, find online opportunities, etc.
Check out Natalie’s gig photos & more Here
Check out Equal Vision Records Here
Follow Equal Vision Records Here
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