We sat down with Chris Blackburn of HQ Bookings to hear about his journey in music, his role at the artist agency, and events with their Horizon brand.
What got you into trance and then the role you are in with HQ Bookings?
There’s about a 25-year difference between when I first fell in love in 1996 when I traveled to Amsterdam with my dad, was immersed into the “rave culture” in the year 2000, and then have always been listening to sets online, on satellite radio, and downloading music since the late 90s.
Technology has been a big part of my music journey bridging the gap between being in front of the stage and being being or on it. Through meeting people all across the world thru social media, learning about Insomniac events, and attending my first Dreamstate in its inaugural year of 2015 – all of these opened the doors to being a part of the music business. Going on 5 years now that work has spanned 3 different agencies I’ve been a part of to the present day with HQ Bookings (which is the artist management and event side of HQ Recordings) as not only part-owner but also director and artist agent.
Could you tell me more about what being an agent with HQ Bookings involves?
There’s an intersection where knowing an artist personally and seeing their potential intersects with a mutual drive to see their success. Leveraging your connections, your network, and the passion to see them play on as many stages in as many cities across the world is at the heart of what drives me as an agent.
It also means always juggling multiple balls and spinning a lot of plates at once – emails, text, WhatsApps, Facebook Messages always moving working to being a show to life. Also there’s the business side of the house ensuring everything is on the up-and-up with the city, state, and federal government, managing contracts, and handling money. There’s a lot always happening!
How did you find your way into this role?
Relationship building far and wide with not only artists I’ve had the opportunity to support as an agent, but other agents, other artists and the love of their music, and even the promoters of the events to show them my love of Trance at its core.
On top of my own projects (Chris Blackburn, Trance Jesus, Ragebeards, Fallen Angel), my family, and my 9-5 day job that pays the bills, it’s certainly a “passion” more than a career at this point in my life. Maybe in the future it can be more!
What has been the best moment for you as an agent?
Reaching the finish line of any event I’m promoting, playing, or have booked/supported artists in playing. This is a journey that can sometimes be months and months in the works before you get to the end. Reaching out to promoters, venues, connecting with fans to see where events will be successful, and being a part of bringing them to life. But it comes with a warning that it isn’t for the faint of heart!
Do you have a favorite event you promoted or had an artist at your agency play at? Why?
We launched our first HQ Bookings “Horizon” event series on March 10th in Minneapolis and it was amazing to have the founder of our HQ brands Gary Chartier (Ganesh) alongside Sneijder and Sean Tyas in Minneapolis. Hearing the music of your favorite artists day in and day out is a real treat when they not only come to your own city to play but as the promoter hosting the event you get that special 1:1 time hanging out that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.
Do you have any forthcoming events you would like to mention?
On May 6th in Minneapolis HQ Bookings in another edition of Horizon and hosting the amazing Factor B where I’m providing direct support along with having the amazingly talented PSYB3R up from my hometown of Memphis, TN to open the night. More info and tickets at mplstrance.com