THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS! PLEASE CHECK OUT THE NEW BLOG! http://ihsldavid.wordpress.com/

        The primary mission of the label that I'm working for is clear - to make an impact on the music
industry as an independent music label. There's a quote by Gandhi we put on the website, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Tiffany and the whole team is fighting for independent labels‘ rights and powers, as the major labels are seeming to "eating up" the small labels. So far I really enjoy my internship works. I've been meeting with different kinds of musicians as I'd expected. However, the actual internship experience has been a little different than my expectations. I thought I'd be doing more defined studio works, but eventually, I'm left with more versatile works than just music. I also actually expected the workplace to be much bigger than the actual one, which is good because smaller place means closer relationship between the team members. Luckily, my supervisor is a really friendly and helpful person, and she's always mentoring me as we're working just like my teachers and mentor. Therefore, my internship working environment hasn't been too different from the school, except for the small size of the office. Because I was given more versatile works, I was able to encounter with a lot of different kinds ofexperiences, such as sending out booking emails, buying groceries, mailing, getting money from ATM machine and office supplies from Stables. So I've gained a lot of life skills, which I think will be really useful when I become independent after I go to college. The relationship I developed with my supervisor over the past few weeks is really strong. We often talk about many things in life other than works, and I often found it really pleasant to express my thoughts to her because I think she's a really deep thinker and a wise woman. Plus, I'm unafraid to communicate with her because of her friendliness and kindness. Interestingly, most of the adults I met at my internship aren't quite professional but rather super casual. Since the building I'm working in is called the Time Squares Art Building, everyone is just so laid-black and easygoing, and there isn't much professionalism going on in the building. I recently just found out that I've become a lot more confident in speaking English after communicating with so many people in or outside of the building around Times Square, and I've got to learn much more American casual terms which I lack.
        Just like any other thing in life, there are difficult times for me in my internship as well. Sometimes, I had to struggle with mindless booking research, and I had yet to have a clue where to start the whole research. The booking process could also get a little boring as I was basically repeating the same "copy & paste" strategy. Fortunately, Tiffany always took care of me and tried to make it as less dull as possible by buying snacks for me. At the end of the day, I still managed to complete the research work and accomplish something. The altered internship schedule didn't affect me too much. In fact, I was actually given some time in office to finish my homework. However, I just wish we could have our GYM classes back because I feel like my body lack exercise now that we have no more GYM class. In the last five weeks of internship, I really hope to learn at least one instrument because I really hope to get the best out of this internship opportunity. As a music producer, knowing at least one instrumental is quite essential. My co-worker, Zaccai, is a extremely talented pianist, and I really hope I would get some lessons from him.

xx I chose this picture because this whole internship has been a jazzy experience.

1. Mastering
Meaning: The process of transferring the final mix of a song to a data storage device (CD, iPod).
Context: Tiffany has to hire someone to do the mastering of Curtis Brothers' new album before she starts the promotion of the album.
2. Mixing
Meaning: The process by which the multitracks of a song are being adjusted to the right levels.
Context: When you do the mixing, make sure to bring out the bass and make the lead vocals sound brighter.  
3. Soundboard
Meaning: An electronic device mainly for mixing.
Context: Zaccai does all the mixing on the huge soundboard in his studio in Milwaukee.  
4. Booking
Meaning: The process of finding venues for the artists to perform.
Context: Once I'm done with the booking, Tiffany can go ahead and start making the schedule right away.  
5. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Meaning: An electronic system or application the musicians use to produce, edit and record digital audio.
Context: I often use FL Studio, one of my favorite DAWs, to produce original tracks and make remixes of the current mainstream songs.

Interview With Tiffany Ente 1. How long have you lived in New York?
6 and a half year.

2. If you're not a native of New York, where did you live before?
I lived in Northern California, and I've lived there for my whole life.

3. Where did you go to high school? What kind of student were you in high school? What were your favorite classes/least favorite? What sports and extracurricular activities did you do?
I went to Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. I was a very active student in high school, and I was the home-coming queen there. My favorite class was Anatomy Physiology, and my least favorite class was Math. I did tennis and volleyball, and I was in Music and Choir clubs.

4. Did you go to college? Graduate school? If so, where? For how long? What degree(s) did you earn? Are you interested in going back to school? If so, what do you plan to study?
I did, and I transferred to the college here in New York City called New School. I attended its 2-year program, and I earned my Bachelor Degree there. I'm interested in going back to law school; however, I wouldn't go because of the time and money.

5. How did you choose your current occupation?
I grew up around music. I've been on stage singing since I was 2. Many of my family members and relatives are musicians, so I always thought I would do something about music. I met a talented pianist, Zaccai, through a mutual friend and slowly grew into where I am today.

6. What steps did you take to get this job? How did you learn about it? How many interviews do you have? Was the hiring process difficult, not difficult? If a person were looking for a job at your company, what advice would you offer?
Networking, understanding a little bit about this industry, organizing, and studying other entrepreneurs helped me get this job. I would say that I learned the majority by networking. I did not have any interview since I started this label on my own. Although no one hired one, the building process was difficult for me because I had to put everything together. If a person were looking for a job at my company, I would advice him or her to do some research about the company.

7. How long have you worked here? Have you worked in different capacities at this job? What jobs at this company have you done in addition to the one you do now?
I've been doing this for 5 and a half years, and I've owned this rehearsal studio for 6 months as of now. I've worked in almost every aspect of this job such as marketing and administrating works.

8. What is your job title and what are three tasks or responsibilities you do most often?
My job title is partner. For my job, I always look at how my label distribute music effectively. I also do a lot of fundraising for the label. Furthermore, I do the bookings of the artists.

9. Who is your direct supervisor and what is his/her job title? How much do you interact with him/her on a weekly basis? How many people do you supervise?
God is my boss. I don't have anyone else who directly supervises me. I supervise 2 people.

10. What are two examples of challenges you face working here?
There's a lot to do with the smaller staffs, and I also have to deal with the issue of making money.

11. What is the best part of your job?
The best part is that I can be creative and innovative without breaking a glass ceiling.

12. What is something you would like to change about your job?
I would love to hire more full-time employees and assistants.

xx        My supervisor's name is Tiffany Ente, and she is the owner of Truth Revolution Records. She and I share the same rehearsing studio as our office. Tiffany's super friendly, easygoing, very helpful, and very down-to-earth. Moreover, she is a hardworking and organized person. Besides Tiffany, I have another person who helps me and instructs me on how things work there and how I do my jobs, and his name is Zaccai. He and his brother Luques, who I've also met, are a musical duo called Curtis Brothers. Moreover, I've met several other artists of the label such as Nick, Luques and Natalie and awesome employees like Syra who's from Germany.
        The place where I work is a small rehearsing studio owned by my supervisor that is sometimes rent by other people. The place is small but clean. The walls are mostly white with some pictures as decorations. It's also a very quiet place, since for most of the time only my super visor and I work there. So far I have uploaded several performance clips from the camera to the computer, and I've sent an email notifying the artists to send me updates on their gigs. Moreover, I've also helped one of our artists to send out booking inquiries to several venues. As of now, I work everyday from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. I usually arrive home around 6:30 PM.
        My internship is so fantastic, and everyone here at my internship site is so musically talented and friendly. I'm so grateful to have such an amazing supervisor like Tiffany.