Interview: A Force to be Reckoned With: Michelle Flower Olson Dives Deep into Colorado Music Management, Pushing Through the Hard Moments, and Passion for Our Local Music Community
Photo by Jessica Lim
I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but I just feel so freakin’ lucky to be a part of the Colorado music scene and to have the opportunity to meet and get to know people like Michelle Flower Olson. It’s so incredible to watch my community members absolutely killing the game and self actualizing themselves through it - and it’s incredibly empowering to see that so many of them are badass females. I’ve been wanting to get to know Michelle, or Flower as she likes to be called, for quite a while. Luckily, after months of talking online and coordinating through the pandemic, we got to meet in person at Moe’s BBQ in Englewood at a show with The Buzz, Profetic Calaveras, and Matt Weiman Band last month. Flower is an inspiration to me, and she represents everything I strive for in the scene - to be a light guiding the way and elevating the entire community, to connect the human in each and every one of us, and to spill over with passion for the Colorado scene. Since then, I’ve been lucky to continue the conversation with Flower, and I’m beyond humbled to get to share this interview with her. Enjoy!
How did you get into music management? Is it something you’ve always known you wanted to do?
Back in 2019, I moved from Durango, Colorado to Telluride and began work as the Live Music Coordinator at The Liberty. Fast forward a couple months, I was offered a Talent Buyer position at Telluride Ski Resort that I couldn’t turn down! We made it through the 2019/2020 ski season with me bringing in artists like Jack Cloonan, Matt Flaherty and more to the resort- then Covid hit! I decided about a month into the pandemic that I had to make the jump to Denver for mostly personal reasons, but also to see where my career would take me in the music industry. I was at this small festival a friend of mine guest listed me for at the Morrison Cliff Lodge Hot Tub Cottages, and I saw this bad ass band playing called The Buzz, then I realized I knew the lead singer from years before! When they got off the stage I was like “YO Methiah!!! You guys have an amazing sound- do you guys have representation?” Come to find, they were a relatively new band and didn’t. I planted the seed in their minds (and mine) to dive into management and booking. Fast forward a couple months, I got the call that they wanted to work with me, and that’s when it all started! It’s not a position I’ve necessarily sought out to do- rather more just working in the music industry- but I feel like I’m in the right pocket with managing!
When did you join Loose Leaf Talent Agency? Tell me about the company.
Let’s see… I joined Loose Leaf Talent Agency after booking and managing independently in late August of this year! I was asked to be featured on a podcast one of their agents Allyce Carlson does called Women, Wine & Song, and she suggested that I join the team! I absolutely love it. We are nationwide with our two biggest hubs being in Burlington, Vermont and of course our home- Denver, Colorado! Our agency is steadily growing across the country with notable artists on our roster like Envy Alo, ProJect Aspect, The Green House Band, Green Buddha, Baked Shrimp, Desmond Jones and LOTS more!
Which artists do you manage?
I have the privilege of working with 4 amazing artists! In chronological order of when I started working with them, I manage and book for The Buzz, Dylan Kishner Band, ProJect Aspect and PJ Moon & the Swappers. I’m also going to begin helping Envy Alo’s team with booking here in the near future.
Photo by Carmen Housecat Photography
What have some of your greatest victories been in music management?
One of the things I am the most proud of was my ability to dive in and to teach myself the in’s and out’s of Booking and Management. I learned a lot about it from the days when I was Talent Buying, but to dive into a career that I wasn’t per say “professionally trained” in and finding success through hard work and dedication feels pretty dang good!
Some other highlights I would like to mention are:
Booking ProJect Aspect as an opener for The Polish Ambassador at Levitt Pavillion as my first gig with PA
Booking and performing with 3 of my artists at The Humm Family Gathering in July 2021
Getting The Buzz to the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride twice (announcement coming soon!)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdVD7uTBbT4?wmode=opaque]
What are some of the trials you’ve dealt with in music management and how do you move through them?
Hmmm.. this question makes me think of two seperate answers. First one I’d like to answer is revolving around me being a female in the music management industry. From time to time while I’m working with my artists, I’ll come across a sound guy, talent buyer or someone else I work with from a venue who just seems to look straight through me. I’ve legit had people straight up ignore me when I’m doing my job, to later come back at me, furious, because they didn’t listen to what I was saying to them in the first place and it made their job harder. Every time something like that happens it’s hard to not feel like it’s because I’m a younger woman in a position of management. The way I overcome it is to keep a calm head and thick skin, but also make sure to be assertive because my job and my band’s rely on me to be that way.
Second answer is more personal. Being a manager for 4 different artists, I am getting hit up 24/7. Whether it’s the guys in the bands, promoters, media, fans and the list goes on- it feels like I always have to be available to stop what I’m doing and work. It’s also something I take pride in with my position - that I am readily available for my team, but it can get exhausting! There’s times that, if I choose to take an hour or two away from my phone, it legit gives me anxiety because “what if’s” go through my head. The way I’ve overcome this, with help of my bands, friends/family, and my therapist is to learn how to take “me days” when I need them. Those are days when, even if I get hit up, I wait until the next day to take care of it. I communicate with my artists and colleagues when I need them. It’s helped tremendously!
Has working in music management shaped your life outside of work?
It makes me appreciate every single person that helps put on a show even more when I go to see live music for fun! Working in management, you work with so many different people in our industry and you see how hard people go at it for a production to happen. Sometimes, when you’re out, partying, having fun at a concert, you don’t think of those things. Now I do! For example- I was at Dr. Dog’s last show ever at The Boulder Theater last week, and their opening band Tōth (a Rubblebucket side project) was absolutely crushing it- then their female tour manager, Alycia Lang, came out on stage to play and sing with them! It seriously made me so proud of her and made the show 100x even better for me seeing a bad ass mama out there slaying it with the band she represents! I don’t think I would have felt so emotional while seeing that if I didn’t know the hard work that is put into band management behind the scenes. The fact that she was invited to play on stage with them and the gratitude the band showed her just made my heart so full.
Photo by Carmen Housecat Photography
Are you from Colorado? How does living in Colorado influence you?
I am! 5th generation Colorado chick right here. We are lucky enough to have one of the most diverse and passionate music scenes out here- both production-wise and fan-wise! Where it’s pop-up bluegrass festivals in the woods or on the river to large scale Red Rocks shows, there is always something happening. We are so spoiled and I am sooooo here for it!
What’s your favorite thing about the Colorado music scene?
The community! Hands down. Everyone shows TF up for the bands they love and the local bands that we’re all friends with. The amount of support in our community is what makes it worth it for all of us.
If you could impact the world in a single way, what would you want it to be?
We’re doing it, baby! This is one of my favorite questions to answer. A lot of people have asked me why I chose to work in the music business, and I always answer with this: So many people don’t have access to affordable or trustworthy therapy. Life has always been hard, but especially since the pandemic started. Live music and music in general has been an outlet for so many people to feel their feels, or forget about their feels for 3 hours and dance the night away. If I can be a part of the healing powers of music that brings people together- I feel like I’m doing my part in making the world a better place.
Who are your role models? Do you look up to any local or non-local people in the music industry? Why?
I have a couple! Of course you, Sarah and Alyssa, have been amazing to work with the last year and a half. Seeing y’all make an entire lemonade stand out of lemons has been seriously inspiring. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sonder Management, Rocky Mountain Virtual, Rocky Montaño Photography, and ARISE Music Festival!
Locally, I also look up to Scott Hatchey of The Magic Beans. He’s not only the front man of the band, but also the Bean’s manager and he started the whole festival Beanstalk. This dude is seriously dedicated to the art of live music and he’s curated a top-shelf team to help along the way.
Non-local. SUSAN TEDESCHI. Some people may not know this, but I’m also a vocalist with very similar style to Susan, so that’s one reason why she’s such a huge role model for me. Secondly- she’s another strong and dedicated woman taking the scene by storm. I’ve looked up to her since I was a little girl.
Photo by Memorandum Media
What is something you learned or took away from the last year that you’ll apply to the rest of your life?
Hmmmm…. I’m going to have to say it’s always important to have the ability to adapt. The music industry as a whole has changed so much since the beginning of Covid and is constantly evolving. Having a mentality that change most likely WILL happen, and being able to adapt quickly, smartly and on the spot is a huge skill to have in my opinion.
If you could give a piece of advice to those just starting out in the world of music management, what would it be?
Know it’s not easy- but the results are what make it all worthwhile. Make sure you curate a solid team with your artists // agency. Many people will not respond to your emails- always follow up and don’t let it get you down!
What is one of your favorite shows that you’ve been to that was not one of the artists you manage? Why?
CLOZEE AND OPIOU AT RED ROCKS THIS SUMMER. Hands down one of the best productions I have ever seen to date. The fact that it was postponed for two years really built up the anticipation. From lights, sound, production and all around vibes were on point. I hope one day to be a part of something so big and spectacular.
Is there a stand out show from one of the artists you manage? Or one from each of them? Why was it/were they so special to you?
The Buzz: Motel Soco in Pagosa Springs, October 15th, 2021. I’ve never seen the boys jam as hard as they did - they were definitely feeling that mountain energy! All the guys also agreed it was the best live set they’ve ever played. This was the first show on a two day mountain run. PJ Moon & The Swappers (with Gab Kaplan from Profetic Calaveras on drums) opened up for them for this gig, then the next night The Buzz opened up for Liver Down the River at Animas City Theatre in Durango (my old stomping grounds).
Dylan Kishner Band:Larimer Lounge in Denver, June 17th, 2021. Rocky Mountain Country Review! This was actually the first gig I worked with Dylan and I’m so proud of him for bringing such talented musicians on for a kick ass show. Everyone had SO MUCH FUN! We had Dylan Kishner on lead vocals and guitar, Dylan French on drums, Jami McNeill on keys, Blair Hicks on bass, Kelsey Prisby and Rachel Hollingsworth on vocals, and Steven Huntley sitting in for a couple tunes on guitar as well. YEPOK also opened up for this gig.
ProJect Aspect: Levitt Pavillion in Denver, July 3rd, 2021. ProJect Aspect opened up the show for Polish Ambassador and Jack Lndn as direct support. I’m so proud of Jay for this one. The time of day that he had to go on was prime time for the sun to be directly on him. He handled it with professionalism and charm, with a little help from a space blanket to protect his producing devices! He absolutely crushed his set and the vibes were overflowing for at least 7,000+ people. We also got to meet CloZee, Alya Nero and VibeSquaD backstage on top of the other artists on the bill!
PJ Moon & The Swappers:Bluebird Theatre in Denver, October 31st, 2021. Halloween show!! This show was on fire. We had the boys opening up for Planet Booty with direct support from Rich Aucoin. Aside from their incredible originals, they also covered “Rocket Man” by Elton John and “No Diggity” by Dr. Dre. The band was comprised of frontman PJ Moon on guitar and vocals, Cord Drake of the original Swappers on drums, Jake Hasluck of Liver Down the River on bass, and sit ins from Alex Blocker and Luke Story of Float Like a Buffalo.
If you could pick one defining moment from your time in music management up until now, what would it be?
I think the moment that Jay (ProJect Aspect) called me to let me know he wanted to work with me, and I told him that I appreciate the offer but wanted to be a professional parkour-er instead is one that sticks out to me. Obviously, I was joking and setting the tone with my impeccable sense of humor with my artist, but it was that moment when I was like man- I’m really doing this! LET’S GO!
Who are some of your favorite local Colorado musicians and bands?
Hope you’re ready for an insanely long list!
The Buzz, Dylan Kishner Band, ProJect Aspect, PJ Moon & The Swappers, Tenth Mountain Division, Squeaky Feet, Liver Down the River, Leftover Salmon, Melody Lines, Sunsquabi, Euforquestra, Yonder Mountain String Band, Forest Pump, Lucid Vision, Magic Beans, Lotus, Prophetic Calavares, GRiZ, The Motet, Licious, High Country Hustle, Cycles, Ghost Town Drifters, A-Mac & The Height, Envy Alo, Moon Radish, Andy Frasco & the U.N., Birds of Play, Buffalo Commons, Michal Menert, The String Cheese Incident, Cousin Curtiss, Elle Michelle’s Grateful Holler, Elder Grown, Judo Chop, Jack Cloonan Band, Dragondeer, Shuj Roswell, Joint Point, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Evanoff, Morsel, The PARTY People, Float Like A Buffalo, Flash Mountain Flood, Matt Flaherty Band, Banshee Tree, Giant Walking Robots, Spectacle, The Lumineers, Great Salmon Famine, Envy Alo, Zeta June, Specific Ocean, Green Buddha, Stillhouse Junkies, Pretty Lights, Paper Bird, The Greenhouse Band, Tara Rose & The Real Deal, Mountain Rose Music, Oomah, Tonewood, Naked Ducky, Red Mountain Boys, People We Know, Maddy O'Neal,Cosmic Groove Band, YEPOK, Sarah Mount & The Rushmores, Grim & Darling, The Copper Children, Entomo, Cactopus, Coral Creek, Big Sky, and MIDicinal!
Photo by Rocky Montaño Photography
What’s a great local Colorado business for people to support during the holidays?
Gotta get a shoutout to my girl Sarah Theis that makes bad ass Tapestries and hand-made clothing! Check her out at @dizzydripsartstudio
What upcoming plans do you have for 2022?
ProJect Aspect at Gem & Jam Festival has me SUPER excited! Other than that- there’s not much more I can announce… yet ;) But big things are coming!
Check Out Michelle’s artists and companies on socials and Spotify!
Loose Leaf Talent Agency
The Buzz
ProJect Aspect
PJ Moon & The Swappers
Dylan Kishner Band