Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a regular short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email james.hanley@futurenet.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with Nicholas Greco, co-founder and director of Australian independent promoter Untitled Group, which produces events such as Beyond The Valley, Pitch, Grapevine, For The Love, Ability Fest and Wildlands Festival.
What was your first job in music?
I've always just had my own business in the music/events industry doing all sorts of different things, I started off just reaching out to bands and getting involved in their careers in any way possible. I was in the middle of a finance degree and the music industry was just a whole other world that I dived into head first.
How long have you been in your current role?
I've been running my own music/music-related business for nine years (since I was 20), after trying out a few different areas I found my feet as a promoter, cutting my teeth in the nightclub scene which then developed into promoting tours and music festivals and then our business expanded into artist management and running our own record label.
What is your favourite thing about working in the live music industry?
No two days at the same. One of my main motivators to work in the music industry was if you have to work your job for the next 40+ years of your life, it better be something that excites you every day and something you enjoy, and I don't think I've had a day that I haven't loved what I'm doing, even when we've had our lows.
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
The biggest issue I find is that you're on 24/7 - we work everyone else's normal business hours of 9-5 but then we also head to/run shows after work, organise a festival on weekends, listening to the radio in the car to discover a new artist, etc. If you didn't love this industry you wouldn't be in it as you have to live and breathe it. Finding ways to switch off and decompress is extremely important.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Beyond the Valley selling out of all tickets within one minute of going on sale this year which was something we've been dreaming of for the past six years!
What's the best gig you've ever been to?
We're so spoilt with the amount of shows we get to go to in the music industry, it makes this such a hard question... I travelled to Europe last year to check out a bunch of other festivals and Dekmantel and DGTL seriously stood out for their amazing lineups and unique production. At home Meredith Music Festival is one I try to go to every year, the vibe is just so different to anything else I've been to.
PHOTO: Dan Van Staveren
