Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Ludwig.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I woke up today filled with so much gratitude for this beautiful life. My company Thunderbird Music is growing and thriving.
Thunderbird is an electronic artist management, video, and event production company located in Los Angeles. I wanted to share a little about myself.
I’m originally from Tucson, AZ and I started listening to dance music when I was 12. There was a local spot called the Velvet Tea Garden in my home town that was lax on asking for IDs and artists played trip-hop, Drum N Bass, Jungle, Trance records and I could dance my heart out. My early musical influences were Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky, Bjork, Sneaker Pimps, Morcheeba, Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Daft Punk, Sasha & Digweed, and Sigur Ros.
Music has always been such a huge part of my life. I’m a classically trained vocalist and have performed with the AZ Opera Company and I have a performing arts degree from Boston University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. I moved to LA to be an actress but after a short time found myself behind the camera as a producer. I’ve been producing television shows and branded entertainment for 8 years and have traveled the world working on various productions.
After moving to LA, I quickly found myself immersed in our incredible SoCal dance music community. After a few years of attending events and meeting so many incredible DJs and performers, I wanted to throw my own events and get more involved. Thunderbird began as a dessert party at a ranch in Joshua Tree, CA and has grown to be a very special boutique festival. I feel so blessed and honored to represent incredible DJ’s and producers and to be able to host events that provide memories and experiences for others. This truly makes me happy from the bottom of my heart. I was recently asked to speak on a panel at Desert Hearts Festival called “Women Crushing it in the Music Industry” and this was a great honor and privilege to lead a conversation about inclusiveness in the music business. I’m so grateful for that experience. I know that Thunderbird will continue to grow, change and thrive with all of your support.
I’m also blessed to have the support of my wonderful fiance Masahiko Wakita and we are about to celebrate the anniversary of our engagement in a few short weeks on the Playa at Burning Man and our wedding date is 3/20/2020 in Mexico. Here’s to dreaming, building, and dancing. Rave to the grave.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Working in the music industry as a female manager is certainly fraught with obstacles but I’m grateful for all of the trailblazers before me paving the way. As I continue my journey and build my business and meet the women who are doing what I do, it gives me so much strength to keep going. I recently met Annie Evasick of Shameless Productions in Seattle, WA at the festival Cascadia NW Music & Arts Festival and she is managing an incredible roster of artists and meeting her inspired me so much. She curated a showcase at the festival of all of her artists and I was blown away by the talent and I danced the entire time.
I started my business managing and working with my friends because I wanted to help their careers and help each artist I believe to succeed and rise to the next level in their careers. Working with your friends can be challenging because it can change the relationship and suddenly, I found myself feeling really lonely and isolated and I felt depleted instead of fulfilled. I had to take a hard look at what I was doing and re-evaluate my business and set better boundaries and be mindful of where I was putting my time and energy. Being responsible for someone’s career is a huge deal and it’s important to not get overwhelmed and take things one step at a time to create momentum and progress.
I would encourage anyone who wants to manage artists to find a mentor to help guide you and work with you. This is probably helpful in any career but I’m so grateful for the people who have helped me. Dina LaPolt is an incredible music lawyer and her firm is called LaPolt Law. She encouraged me to bet on myself and is a huge inspiration to me. I’m so grateful for her love and support.
What should we know about Thunderbird Music? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m an artist ignitor, event producer and video producer. I’m extremely proud to help build an artist’s careers and share their gifts with the world. I’m a gifted connector and I like to bring like-minded individuals together in the studio to create musical magic.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
As a trained performer and singer, I can understand the mind of an artist because I have an artistic spirit and I’m also a savvy businesswoman. I like to think of myself as a bridge between the two worlds so that everyone’s needs are met in a way that the art is not compromised.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thunderbirdmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirdgang/
Image Credit:
Villarealism, Christian Villareal at Thunderbird July 14th 2018 (The images that are darker and in a warehouse), Sooyod Panda (The primary photo of me), Conner Coughenour Photography (Our engagement photos)
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