DIY In the Music Industry

Warning! Not for the faint-of-heart. Tori Sparks: Nashville-based independent recording artist, owner of Glass Mountain Records, Hand Over Foot Publishing, and Wry Toast Publishing. She has released four independent records, and is the author of two courses for roving music business education group ProMusicU *, and has been invited to speak at music conferences, universities, and performing arts schools around the country about her practical approach to creating a career in the music industry. Her emphasis is on the pros and cons of working with a traditional music company, versus embracing the DIY business model.

Tori was on the cover of City at Night Magazine in April 2008. The two-page article documented Tori’s unique approach to her career as a DIY entrepreneur and touring musician. She has been interviewed by magazines, newspapers, blogs, and numerous television and radio stations, including nationally syndicated Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour.  Tori has had articles posted on various industry websites such as Starpolish and Derek Sivers' blog. Her videos were featured in Sivers' SXSW 2010 DIY presentation.

Sparks is 26 years old, speaks French and English (y un poquito Spanish), and wears many hats. These include singer, songwriter, guitar player, producer, graphic designer, web designer, booking agent, manager, publicist, hair-and-make-up girl, video editor, distribution liaison, merch monkey, tour bus (a.k.a. Chevy Equinox) driver, road manager, band leader, record label owner, publisher, and touring musician. (She also has a hat with purple feathers on it, but that’s beside the point.)

"Why the decision to strike out on your own?"

After narrowly escaping out from under a bone-chillingly bad label deal, Tori had no choice but to continue to grow her career on her own. As a result, she has become known as one of the hardest-working indie artists on the scene, and is sought after for her advice.

Did she set out to be independent? No. Has she learned much more than she ever thought possible as a result? Hell yes, and she’s spreading the DIY gospel across the globe. It is possible to take control and forge your own path in this crazy business.

Musicians: She feels your pain. She wants to help you avoid some of the million mistakes she’s made. She is not a guru, but she does the best she can. She also never sleeps.

Email Tori with your questions, and she’ll answer them the best she can. Songwriters and artists as well future managers, agents, promoters, publicists, music directors, music industry lawyers, more, please feel free to inquire. Select questions and responses are posted below. (coming soon . . .)

Interested in having Tori speak at your school or conference? Email Tori.

References

“Tori is by far the best speaker I’ve had in my program. She engaged the students in a way that I haven’t seen before. Rarely have I met someone with not only her talent but her drive.”
-- Bruce Burch; Head of the Music Business Program at the University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

“It was a pleasure having Tori Sparks speak at our conference. We were all impressed with the way she handled herself, and look forward to working with her again.”
-- Luz Echevarria; Project Manager, New Music Seminar (Cleveland, OH)

“Besides her great talent, Tori is also one of the hardest-working independent artists out there.”
-- Michael Jonathan; Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour (Lexington, KY)

“Tori has got it together! She made a wonderful presentation, and the kids connected with what she had to say. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience for such a young person, and is a true musical talent besides.”
--Charles Atkins; Professor and Creator of “The Blues Lab,” Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)/span>

“Tori is the hardest-working musician in Nashville, if not on the planet.”
--Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI (Nashville, TN)

“Tori made it easy for the students to understand complicated subjects. She was entertaining and informative, and easily switched back and forth between French and English. By the end of the lecture, they were asking to have her come back.”
-- Laura Palma; Teacher, Nashville School of Arts (Nashville, TN)

*Other members of the ProMusicU Advisory Board include Dr. Geoffrey Hull (Professor Emeritus, Founder of the Recording Industry Program, Middle Tennessee State University), Dr. Tom Hutchison (Professor, Music Business Coordinator for the Recording Industry Program, MTSU), Andy Ellis (Music Journalist and former Senior Editor of Guitar Player Magazine), Deanna Walker (Director of the Songwriting Program, Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University), Ralph Murphy (Vice President, ASCAP Nashville), others. See www.promusicu.com for more information.