Meet Trevor Linn of ill Music Group in Koreatown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Linn.

Trevor, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story began in Northern California, just outside of Sacramento. My parents has always had a love for music and the arts, which was passed on to myself as well also my older brother and sister.

My journey in music and entertainment really began while I was in college at San Diego State University. I had just moved to San Diego and didn’t know many people. One of the guys I went to college with was working for a nightlife event company and I figured it would be a great way to meet people. Little did I know that eight years later it would lead me to co-owning a record label, managing artists, and opening a recording studio,

Something about creating events from scratch and seeing the process from concept to development and ultimately to production sparked something in me. I loved being able to use my creativity to build memorable experiences for people. Seeing all those smiling faced at every event I created was a feeling I wanted every day. And I did. I have helped produce over 200 events since. This ideology was also true with the creation of music. It’s all about the creative process and the smiling faces.

San Diego was a largely untapped market when I got there and I was fortunate enough to watch and help in its rise as one of the best entertainment destinations in the country. Not only was it the home of some of the most beautiful beaches, but there was also a ton of talented artists and musicians emerging all over the city. One of which is my now good friend, business partner, and artist I manage, ill Nicky.

Nick was an up in coming hip-hop artist who had crazy talent and a very active and mobilized fan base. I had access to all the nightlife venues and had resources in the city, so naturally we began working together on shows. I believe our first solo show together was in the summer of 2014. We packed the room with 300+ of our closest person friends, everything ran like clock work, and two worlds collided. We have been working together ever since.

Last year, I officially partnered with Nicky and The ill Movement and came on as Director of A&R and Artist Management at ill Music Group. We opened our Los Angeles studio location in February of this year, one month later I moved from San Diego to oversee daily operations. New city, but still the same mentality.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My team and I have definitely had our ups and downs. I think struggles are what makes it all worth it in the end though. We had to navigate an industry none of us had any experience in all the while in a city not necessarily known for its music culture. We were forced to be our own best resources and learn everything on the fly. Making every connection we could with venues, promoters, radio stations, etc to setting up our LLC and publishing company, we did anything and everything we could to grow our brand and our sound.

Personally, I have struggled with finding my place in this industry. While I was working in nightlife, I knew my love for music was keeping me there, but the job itself was not fulfilling me at its core. After leaving that industry and jumping from job to job to earn a paycheck, I had many days of uncertainty, not knowing where to go or what I wanted/needed. I had to think extremely critically about what the next moves were and how I wanted to proceed with my career. In this time of question, I began working very closely with Nicky, which eventually leads to him asking me to be his manager and going into business together with ill Music Group.

I have always held a position that the only way to be great and do great things is to work hard and never cut corners. Struggles and triumphs come and go, but mindset and mentality are constant. These are fundamental truths that surround our business on a daily basis.

Please tell us about ill Music Group.
ill Music Group is an independent record label and music collective representing musicians, vocalists, song writers, and music creatives. We have recently opened a fully operational state of the art music recording studio located in Koreatown, Los Angeles. My primary function is to oversee artist development, marketing, content strategy, contracts, bookings, music releases, strategic partnerships, scheduling, and other day to day needs for the label and its artists.

“ill” is an acronym for “i love love”. Since 2014, ill Music Group has given creators in the music industry a platform to create music and work on projects with like-minded creatives in the entertainment industry while also organizing and assisting in their overall career development. This allows each individual a unique opportunity to share their talents with the world by utilizing and integrating with multiple outlets and networks within the illMG family. Our community of musicians, recording artists, DJ’s, producers, and songwriters work together to become great in all areas of business and art. We believe there is no other option in life than to pursue what you love and are passionate about. It is our mission to bring together artists that share our vision and build organically together through strategic development. Ultimately, do what you love with people you love.

What I am most proud of as a company is our dedication to the quality of music and staying true to our philosophy of loving life in all aspects. With every song, every show, every session, we find that the thing that is always constant is our mentality of collaboration and willingness to work hard for what we want. Opening our recording studio earlier this year was a huge accomplishment for us as it allowed free flowing creativity for all of our artists as well as serving as our HQ to the business machine behind them.

What sets us apart from others is the rate at which we create and the militant nature by which we move. Our artists are all dedicated to being at the top of their craft, which is translated through all aspects of our business.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood would probably be the countless camping trips my family took all over the country. My dad had a true love of the outdoors, so every summer when we had a break from sports or whatever else my brother, sister and I were doing, my family would pack into the car and go exploring. From white water rafting in Oregon to horseback riding in Tahoe and hiking in the mountains of Montana, we had so much fun as a family running around the wilderness. Those memories will stick with me forever.

Pricing:

• Recording Studio Rates: 6hr = $150 ; 12hr = $250 — Contact for hourly rates

Contact Info:

• Address: 3923 W. Sixth St, Suite 403
  Los Angeles, CA 90020
• Website: www.illmg.com
• Phone: 916.532.7612
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlinn.livin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twlinn04

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