Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Matrick.
Hi Steven, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got my start out of college working for Woodstock (69) promoter Michael Lang. We worked on Woodstock ’99, Amsterjam and managed reknowned Turkish Artist Tarkan. In 2007 after a particularly difficult tour working with Lauryn Hill, I started my own management company. I interviewed all of the bands I knew and took a chance on Brooklyn Noise Rock Artist A Place To Bury Strangers, who were friends. They received “Best New Music” status on Pitchfork in September of 2007 and I’ve been working with them for the past 19 years. I have managed many artists over the years and currently work with upcoming Brooklyn Psych Rock band GIFT who recently released their 2nd album, ‘Illuminator’ on Captured Tracks and Los Angeles rising star Prewn (Exploding in Sound). Former clients include Paul Jacobs, Luke De-Sciscio, Total Slacker, Pom Pom Squad, Hooray for Earth, Shilpa Ray, the Death Set, the Hood Internet, RX, etc.
In 2018 I co-founded the New Colossus Festival, a 5 day showcase festival the week before SXSW featuring 200 bands at 12 independent music venues on the Lower East Side of NYC. Its 7th edition happened March 3-8, 2026. The New Colossus Festival also hosts stages & artists/festival alumni all over the world in including at Iceland Airwaves, London, Left Of The Dial (Rotterdam), 8mm Festival (Berlin), Taverne Tour (Montreal), Second Summer Festival (Toronto) & more. I also regularly attend showcase conferences as a panelist/speaker and talent scout including Reeperbahn Festival, Finland Music Week, Ireland Music Week, Tallinn Music Week, M For Montreal, Iceland Airwaves, Mondo NYC and more.
In 2021 I founded Dedstrange, a record label in partnership with Oliver Ackermann of A Place To Bury Strangers and Berlin DJ Mitch O’ Sullivan whose roster includes Berlin Punk Rock bands Jealous, Plattenbau, The Pleasure Majenta & Data Animal as well as Wah Together, GIFT, Randy Randall of No Age, Lunacy, Pons, Goblin Daycare, Eazyhead, Sunset Images and of course, A Place To Bury Strangers.
I’ve also been a renowned Talent Buyer for the past 18 years at Pianos, Berlin, Lola, Santos Party House and Monkey Town having previously worked with Woodstock Promoter Michael Lang on Woodstock ’99, Amsterjam and many other festivals and events.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Working in music has its ups and downs for sure. I try to remain grateful that my work is consistently interesting and that at this point in my life, I work with my friends and not for other people.
Artists can be very difficult and its really important to work with people that understand that things go wrong from time to time and we’re all doing our best to create music and tour and are fortunate to be in a position to make a living off of art.
I like to think that I have maintained an excellent reputation and that having managed a successful legendary Indie Rock band for 19 years says something about my skills as a manager.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think my excellent taste in music and my constant desire to help musicians with their careers are critical to my career.
The festival and label were both created to help developing artists get off the ground in NYC and around the world.
I really enjoy falling in love with a band’s music and then continually exposing them to people in NYC and around the world. I always go the extra mile to help bands and have about 20 bands that I consult with and give advice to in addition to the bands I manage directly.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Empathy. I can only work with people who are able to work and make decisions with empathy, constantly keeping in mind what works best for an artist and an audience, for other band members and the most creative conditions to make music in.
Musicians without empathy are impossible to work with. I”ve found that to be critical and consistently true.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newcolossusfestival.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keplermatrick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.matrick/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmatrick/
- Twitter: https://x.com/APTBS
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dedstrange
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dedstrange
