Today we’d like to introduce you to Merrick Porcheddu.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Merrick. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew I wanted to go into artist developmenet or management. I wanted to be a positive influence in the entertainment industry. I got started in this journey in my early twenties, when I took time off of college in Nashville in my pursuit to enter into the “industry.”
I was already jaded by the industry two years in and honestly didn’t like what I saw, even early on. There was a lot of under the table agreements, people looking out after only themselves, screwing artists over, and a lot of agenda and secrets. It just seemed like such a mess. Obviously, I didn’t have a whole picture, but back in 2006 that was my “entry-point.”
I decided to take a half year off and go recharge my soul via traveling the world. I hopped on a plane, moved to Perth, Australia where I knew no one. While I was in Australia, I happened to meet artists in the city. I got connected to a coffee shop with a second story concert venue. They asked if I would help book bands. I was shocked because I wasn’t seeking these things out. It just started coming to me. After Australia, I backpacked with some new friends through China and into Mongolia. Mongolia is where I think I found the answers that lead me to where I am today.
We went to Dalanzadgad, which is in the heart of the Gobi Desert. It was in the ger district that I met a 16 year old girl who spoke little English, yet she supported her family by being a costume designer on set for american and European film crews that would come to Dalanzadgad to shoot films. She used her skill set to became known in the town as “the seamstress.” I asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up. She said, “I want to design costumes for Beyonce.” My heart was moved. I saw the traditional Mongol wear she created from scratch. Beautiful, colorful perfect garments. It was that day that I knew I needed to go back to America, finish my degree and do whatever it took, to highlight people like her to the world.
Today, the core of what Angela (my business partner) and I do, is look for “tipping point” creatives. Meaning, we search high and low to find talent that is using their skill sets to not only survive but also to shape culture, impact the norm and ultimately, stun people with beauty.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! No. Any startup is a struggle. It takes everything you got. HOURS googling how to do things you don’t know how to do. HOURS of looking at Pinterest or magazines or other artists that inspire the formation of your brand. Endless hours of writing and re-writing your message. A lot of trial and error. Fundraising (this is a story in and of itself). Building a team. Dealing with team members gone rogue. Failure. Countless restructuring. Molding your business model to what people need, not what you think they need. Personal wins. Personal defeats. Becoming pregnant while launching a company. Being a mom. Getting pregnant again. Becoming more of a mom. Delegating. Hiring. Firing. Celebrating. Giving up. All of it is an adventure. I won’t trade it for anything.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We curate talent (of all types) for paid opportunities with brands/businesses. You may check it on our website: www.artistuprising.com/about.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
100%. I believe, Dallas is experiencing a revival of the arts. People have said it for years but now, it’s actually happening. Dallas might not be the “industry” that NYC, LA, London and Nashville are but that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be. What Dallas is, though, is a growing space of creativity in ways you see similar to those other cities.
Five years ago, the biggest issue for Dallas was the chasm between creatives and businesses. Businesses didn’t seem to care about the artist like they do now. Five years ago, it was my goal to be a part of building that bridge with others like me in the city. Erica Felicella, Laura Allen, Matt Alexander. These are some people who share the same heart. I believe that metaphorical bridge was built around the same time the Margaret Hunt bridge was built. It was almost symbolic of what was happening in the city between arts and commerce. No wonder the Margaret Hunt bridge literally connected downtown Dallas with Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts District!
Currently, I think Dallas is at a different crossroads. Now, we are seeing a huge surge of artists, designers, makers, musicians, etc. explode but there is no real entertainment education for these people. We are seeing bands sign contracts with labels that will kill them long term. We are seeing artists give away major pieces of their art for free in hopes the company will throw them a bone later. We are seeing artists struggle to run their business while also trying to create day and night. That’s when we shifted our company focus to being a one-stop service for artists and businesses. Businesses come to us with their creative need. We find the talent best suited for the project. We stay within budget for the business and we curate the proper talent for the price so that the talent is able to be paid what they are worth. We negotiate, manage and handle the whole invoicing and contract process without owning any of the artist’s work or career. Business love working with us because we have a pulse on the creative world 24/7.
Pricing:
- Consulting: $150/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artistuprising.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistuprising/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artistuprisinglife
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/artistuprising
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artist-uprising-dallas
Image Credit:
David Porcheddu, Adam Bayacal, Fela Raymond, Jennefer Wilson
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
