Wesley Verhoeve

A Blog On The New Music Business, Technology and Media

About Me

Contact me at [wesley at liberatedmatter dot com]

My Goal: To positively affect the lives of as many people as possible.

How: Music, innovation, storytelling, international strategy, creative direction, and helping create timeless and lasting products.

Current Projects:

Family Records (founder):

I help artists hone in on their creative vision, and turn it into an executable creative strategy to identify and reach their audience. Listen to all the music we’ve released on Rdio.

GNTLMN (co-founder):

We believe that reviving the lost art of dressing, behaving and thinking like gentlemen benefits ourselves and the world around us. We create lasting, timeless men’s accessories together with skilled artisans in the United States. The wonderful folks at Hardy Amies shot a piece in which I share my thoughts on men’s fashion.

 

Other

  • Creative: I write, produce and direct product and music videos, helping brands and bands tell their story.
  • Business: I connect European-based tech and music start-ups to the vibrant NYC scene, helping them gain a presence and meet great people, assisting in their product strategy for a new market, and developing new business leads.
  • Writing: I am a contributor to Fast Company, Medium, Billboard, Life Hacker, and a few other publications that are kind enough to have me.

Speaking Engagements and Writing

I have appeared on panels as a member or moderator, including CMJ, Digital Dumbo, and various Meet Ups.

Additionally, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my words appear in quotes and profiles by Tech Dirt, CMJ, Spin, Gothamist, New York Times, NME, Filter, AM New York and others. My writing has been published in a variety of publications, including Billboard, Fast Company, AOL Spinner, Hypebot, Music Think Thank, and others.

Previously:

  • Artist Management for Wakey!Wakey!, Pearl and the Beard, Casey Shea, and others.
  • Engine Room Recordings, Head of A&R/Strategy
  • SONY/BMG, Sr. Coordinator Copyrights (Columbia/Epic)
  • Cross-Pollination Concert Series, Curator/Producer for 300 concerts in 6 years
  • Freelance Writer, BrooklynVegan/Gothamist/SitDownStandUp*
  • The Undisputed Heavyweights, Songwriter/Performer
  • Verve/Universal Music, Assistant to Head of A&R
  • Maastricht University, MBA Class of 2003/Strategy and Marketing Instructor

* SitDownStandUp.com was  featured in Entertainment Weekly’s Popwatch, VH1′s Best Week Ever, MTV News, RollingStone.com, USA Today, New York Magazine’s ‘Vulture’, Vibe.com, XXLMag.com, Q Magazine, Blender.com, AOLMusic, CMJ, The Guardian, Sirius Radio, AM New York and countless others, and my quotes have appeared, for some bizarro reason, in Pitchfork Media, NME, Harp, Paste, Spin, Filter, Gothamist, and more. It was retired in late 2008. My photography has appeared on BrooklynVegan, Gothamist, XXL Magazine, CMJ Magazine and others.

 

9 Comments

  • http://Myspaceorfacebook Billy Cliff

    I am a singer and songwriter here in new York. I read an article on Wesley and I am interested in his company and his business plan for artist and thier development. Is there a number or contact I can use to reach Wesley. Thanks Billy Cliff

  • Jim

    there’s an email on top of this page where you can reach him

  • http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/vereisaac Vere Isaac

    Hello wesley how are you? im a NYC Bassist//Producer..congratulations on everthing and your newspaper article..well ive worked on some of those labels and studios that you have.from “aretha” to the “Zulu” nation:)..”www.myspace.com/avenuei”…all the best continued success..Vere

  • Jamey Lynne Dyer

    Hey Wesley,
    I really appreciate your comment on youtube for my video. When I heard “War Sweater” for the fist time, I was amazed. I had never heard anything like it before, and the music gave me goosebumps because it was so powerful. The lyrics say so much and the way the music hits you is something I can’t describe. Wakey Wakey deserves to be recognized more around the world for their talent and diversity. I’m always on a journey to find musicians that have a hidden talent like Wakey Wakey, because they tend to grasp my attention more. Music should not all be the same, and unfortunately the public thrives on listening to the same thing over and over again. I like artists that are coming out because I feel that they are the ones with real artistic ability. Wakey Wakey’s sound is so unique and I hope that more people open their eyes and realize how gifted they are musically and artistically.

  • Jamey Lynne Dyer

    I will do everything I can to spread their music because they surely deserve the recognition! Please tell them that people appreciate their work and to keep it up! They are AMAZING! I’m a huge fan, and I wish them the best of luck ;) In the meantime, I will spread the word to help gain more fans. Take care and keep doing what you are doing; it is working:)
    - Jamey Lynne Dyer

  • http://www.myspace.com/thecommonsnikka Dajuan Ahrmel Daye

    Hello My Name Is Dajuan Daye(Juliano) Of an up and coming music group called The Commons, Hailing from Greensboro NC. Our group recently finished some tracks of our upcoming projeect…(Umm..Tracks) that we felt were dope enough to maybe turn some heads. So wed like to have you guys take a listen and we hope to get some feedback wheater good or bad. Thanks Again.

    Also Heres The Link To Our Myspace If Youd Like To Check Out Some Of Our Older Stuff….(WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THECOMMONSNIKKA)

  • Brittney Pappano

    Just want to thank you for sharing your knowledge, thoughts, and experiences. You have more of an impact on your readers than you know. Thank you!

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  • Nverhoeve

    hartelijk gefeliciteerd Wesley met je verjaardag! ik wens je een mooie enn liefdevolle dag met veel vrienden om je heen. ;-)