Check Out Samantha Lauren Rothermel-Peters’s Story

Samantha Lauren Rothermel-Peters

I’ve had a long journey through music; I started with booking my first show when I was 15 years old, a two-day music festival in Norman, Oklahoma. I realized quickly that producing shows was something I loved. I started primarily in the hardcore scene and moved into booking all genres. I was lucky enough to have my first ‘big’ tour package given to me by my current boss, Daniel McCartney. This was significant for me since I was primarily booking shows for local artists and artists traveling through town. Daniel took a chance on me, I was young, in the hardcore scene, and that was honestly major. Soon after, I began working with other agents, and my career as an OKC Promoter was really taking off. Eventually, after eight years of booking concerts, I left for college. I worked as a Behavioral Therapist and stepped away from the music industry to focus on my education. Before I knew it, it was 2022, and I randomly run into Daniel McCartney at a festival. We reconnected, and shortly after he offered me a head of operations role with his new label, Outlast Records. I submerged myself back into the music industry.

We have an awesome roster at Outlast; Garzi, JordyPurp, Chez, Magic Whatever, and Love Under the Sun. All these artists feel like family and I can’t wait to see them succeed.

Through my network with Outlast, I was offered work with Derek Brewer at Shelter Music Group. Working with Derek has been an awesome experience; he has trusted me to run social media for his roster. I feel privileged given the importance of social media these days.

I am also working with new artists, and artists I grew up with. I love being hands-on and helping artist(s) bring their dreams to life. It’s been an incredible experience.

I think success and good things come with challenges. If it was smooth, I’d feel like I was doing something wrong.  As mentioned earlier, I was only 15 when I booked my first show. I was a promoter, booking 3-7 shows a week, most weeks. I not only was young, but also female, and had very strict parents. When I first started, Facebook was how you advertised your shows. I was not allowed to have a Facebook account. I had to make up a fake name, so my parents weren’t aware I had an account. I was ‘Lauren Toms’; Lauren is my middle name, and Toms because I always wore Toms. To this day that fake name has stuck with me. In addition, I did not own a cell phone, so all my communication were from my iPad using a texting app or Facebook. I had to be strategic (and sneaky) about everything I was doing to avoid getting grounded. That was a major obstacle at the start of my journey.

Fast forward to the past 16 months and diving into new areas of the industry, I think the biggest obstacle I faced is living and navigating Los Angeles. It’s a different world for me, I refer to it as the Wild West. I am an Oklahoma girl, born and raised, so moving to L.A. is an adventure. Staying true and authentic to who one is as a person, really shines in this crazy world we live in.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am the manager of the LA-based record label Outlast Records and the social media manager at Shelter Music Group. I think what sets me apart is my unique experience; I bring a diverse skillset having worked as promoter, a behavioral therapist, spending time as an influencer and now back to the music industry. I really enjoy what I’m doing, especially being part of a management team that allows me to explore all areas of the business.

I think that COVID-19 made a lot of people really slow down and appreciate how precious life is. Many of us experienced loneliness and loss during lockdown. We had to deal with years of uncertainty within our day-to-day lives. I think it was especially challenging for the music industry; staying busy and relevant despite the challenges caused by the shutdown.