Written by LeoB 
Career Spotlight: Will Runzel, Co-Founder of Hashtag JukeLife
This week, we are featuring insights from Co-Founder of Hashtag JukeLife – Will Runzel.
Hashtag JukeLife is now hiring for an Internship.
When did you realize that you wanted a career in the music industry?
College. I started throwing rap concerts while I was a Senior at Indiana University.
How did you work your way up to found your own company?
As previously mentioned I started throwing shows in college. One of the last tours I did was with Steve Aoki and he moved me out to LA to work with Dim Mak Live. I worked my way up from intern to Events Director there, then got a job offer from React Presents to head up their new West Coast sector. From there I started my management and PR firms on the side and moved from talent buyer at React to the same position with LED Presents. When things got a little hectic I got let go by LED and focused on my entrepreneurship.
As co-founder of Hashtag JukeLife, what does your daily routine entail?
Lots of listening to music. Lots of reaching out to writers to spread our tunes around to various publications. Scheming up marketing plans for releases. Making show recaps and music video content. We really try to focus on building our brands and giving our acts identities to cut through the fat of the dance music market.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Listening to music. Sometimes I will be listening to music for work and I will just become extremely elated because I realized that technically I am working, but really I am just listening to music I truly enjoy.
Least favorite aspect?
I have a great team that takes on the least favorable aspects of my job fortunately.
Is there anything you do for work on a daily basis others might be surprised about?
Besides just crazy occurrences at shows (and I don’t even go out on the road that much), no, not really.
How do you feel working in the music industry differs from other industries?
Its pretty small, which is cool. And we are all kind of learning as we go. There are old school guys who have been doing this for awhile but it seems like the guys with less experience are gaining more traction faster which tells me that ideas that are pushing our culture forward are being dreamed up and executed daily are coming from the sub 30 crowd.
Is working in the music industry as cut-throat and challenging as many people make it out to be?
Its competitive in the sense that there is only so much money and market share to go around, but in terms of being cut-throat, no, I think the dance music community more or less is in this together. People will definitely try and stab you in the back but usually if you can generate a bit of leverage or power people will leave you alone for fear of the repercussions.
Do you have any advice for those trying to find a career path in the music realm?
Work hard. Work really hard. I say this often, but become irreplaceable and don’t be shocked when you are struggling to find work or continuing to intern when you haven’t become irreplaceable. Be a self starter, bring ideas to the table even if you aren’t asked. Read “All You Need To Know About The Music Business” by Donald Passman
A big thank you to Will Runzel for taking the time to share his EDMJob with us in this Career Spotlight. Learn more about Hashtag JukeLife at http://www.
If you are interested in Artist Management and PR, be sure to check all open positions at EDMJobs.
