Meet Evan Griffith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Griffith.

Hi Evan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am the CEO of Fire Tower Entertainment and an active organist and music director in Los Angeles. I grew up in NYC as an only child on the upper west side of Manhattan. I first studied piano at age six and violin at age seven. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of my teachers, I quickly fell in love and stayed in love with the art. At age 12, I began studying organ and conducting, leading to admission into the pre-college division Manhattan School of Music. I graduated with a dual B.A. in Music and in Psychology from Dartmouth College, where I gained exposure and experience both in the classical and contemporary pop sides of the industry, as well as a certificate from the college’s Tuck School of Business Bridge program. Just to give you a sense of these two worlds at once: my senior thesis was an analysis on the state of Jewish liturgical music, but my first job out of college was working in streaming & anti-piracy for acts like Beyonce and John Legend.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m an entrepreneur and musician, and so are my clients. One challenge this lifestyle affords is unpredictability. You never know where or when the next opportunity may pop up, and so you often find yourself in a constant state of reprioritizing and rejiggering. This gig and deal-based economy requires plasticity and spontaneity and the ability to quickly change hats! Another thing worth mentioning by way of obstacles in this business is that you also need to really be your own #1 cheerleader! It can be intimidating to self-promote, and it takes practice! As I remind my clients, you have to toot your own horn; particularly in a climate like Los Angeles where there is such a profound concentration of phenomenal artists and entrepreneurs. Leaning into empathy, strong personal relationships and an outlet for creativity can all aid in grounding yourself and allowing you to perform at your best!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
After working in both the management and label sides of the industry via roles at Gramophone Media (BTS, Willie Jones) and Sony Epic Records (Camila Cabello, Mariah Carey, Zara Larsson) respectively, I decided to launch my own company, Fire Tower Entertainment. As CEO of Fire Tower, I oversee an eclectic roster of artists, songwriters, producers, influencers, and overall creatives taking the popular music industry by storm. Along with my right hand, Yuval Sorkin, we have been extremely grateful to our incredible talent for inviting us on their journeys and trusting us as their partners. We are fortunate for the success of “8 billion people”, recently released by our superstar duo Kiran + Nivi, which has already surpassed 5 million streams in its first couple months of release! The success of “HOME” by Emblem3’s WESLEY, “Big” by MacKenzie Bourg, “Masochist” by Sophie Ann, “Layover” by Parker Matthews, and so many more also come to mind as game-changing moments. We recently launched Full Time Records, our label imprint, which had its inaugural release: “Run To” by Michelle Ray, with producer/writer Eric Lee Carpenter, vocal producer Michael Blum, and writer/vocal arranger Myah Marie.

My role leading Fire Tower Entertainment is one of two hats that I wear. When I’m not running the company, I am an active organist, pianist, and music director. In this capacity, I am grateful to spend time at the terrific communities of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Saint Athanasius Episcopal Church, Temple Beth Tikvah, and 28th Church of Christ Science on a weekly basis. The programming and performing of liturgical music to enhance experience of faith has always been a passion of mine. I studied Pipe Organ and Conducting throughout school, receiving a B.A. from Dartmouth College in Music and Psychology and a CAGO designation from the American Guild of Organists. I was first inspired to pursue the art as a young child in New York City. My dad would attend All Souls Unitarian church and my mom, Temple Emanu-El. Both congregations have exquisite music programs and choirs, with spellbinding cantors and pipe organs. I was particularly inspired by Cantor Lori Corrsin’s work at Temple Emanu-El, where she programmed exquisite Classical Reform choral music services.

I am fortunate to have found a rhythm that allows me to follow both my passions for the secular and liturgical music scenes.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
For excelling in the music industry in Los Angeles, I would identify the following essential qualities:

* Having thick skin
* Expressing genuine interest in people
* Having ability to shift priorities
* Understanding when to lead and when to follow
* Practicing empathy
* Keeping an open mind

Contact Info:

• Website: http://firetowerent.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instaevan92/