Just Jaded
A Little Jaded Podcast with Melanie Martinez
By Jessie Strickland
In this month’s episode of “A Little Jaded,” Jade and Joanna are joined by fellow Jaded team member Melanie Martinez as they discuss Melanie’s experience working in the live entertainment industry, as well as how her ability to connect with others allows her to further pursue her endeavors in the industry.
Melanie is based right outside of Los Angeles in Palmdale, CA and commutes into the city for work, which can be a daunting task considering the blights of Los Angeles traffic. Regardless, she prefers to be punctual (at least 30 minutes early) to whichever gig she is working, and takes that time she has left over to get herself ready and mentally prepared for her day.
She began her ventures into live entertainment through a friend, who reached out to her about a live entertainment gig and connected her to the tour representative. Since then, she has kept upward momentum in gaining experience in live entertainment, and in the music industry, in general. A large factor to her success, she notes, is the necessity of building connections to those who connect you.
Besides from keeping relations at a purely business “transactional” relationship, she recommends making friends with those tour reps and whoever else you may meet within the industry, as it helps keep the door open for future opportunities, as well as allows you to build your network. Networking, as Melanie insinuates, is what will ultimately make or break your experience within the music industry as the network is what bridges you to others and provides the stepping stones
to lead from one place to the next. Melanie recommends “cold” messaging professionals on LinkedIn in regards to their experience and asking for general advice, as she says she has found success from such a method.
Another idea Melanie wants to drive home is the fact that you can make a career out of your passions and interests, despite what others may say and throw at you. Often for creatives and those passionate about industries within the arts, they are met with negativity and are often told how little room there is within those industries to find jobs and, of course, make money. Melanie wants to emphasize that as long as you are willing to put in the effort and the drive towards moving forward, there will always be space for you in the industry you crave.
For more of Melanie, Jade and Joanna and their discussion on entering the industry as a beginner, check out this month’s episode of “A Little Jaded” wherever you get your podcasts.
