By COURTNEY BECKER
Contributing Writer
On Thursday Mar. 21, 2013 the MEISA club at Saint Rose had the opportunity to receive advice about what it takes to the make it in the music industry from a real pro. Eric Tobin is the VP of Business Development at a well known indie label, Hopeless Records. Tobin is also a St. Rose alumni who graduated in 2001 with a music industry degree and he was eager to speak of his long journey.
Thursday night Tobin casually strolled into CCIM’s viewing room with coffee in his hand and a smile on his face. Instantly sarcastic jokes and witty comments rolled off his tongue as MEISA students stumbled in, “You’re late,” he joked. Once the students were settled in Tobin began his speech for the MEISA club by explaining how he started at Saint Rose.
Tobin came to St. Rose in 1997 where he took part in many musical groups such as jazz band, concert band, and choir. He spoke about the importance of doing what you want to do. Tobin said that he initially wanted to get into the technology part of music industry so he learned about recording his freshman year. By Tobin’s sophomore year he began working on his own recording sessions from local Albany bands.
After college he went on tour with different bands like Hope Falls and Nora as well as working on a summer long music festival, Warped Tour for musical tastes of alternative, pop/punk, screamo, and metal.
“I sold everything I owned and went on tour,” Tobin said.
Four and half years of touring and then Tobin moved to California with no money, no job, and ended up working in Starbucks. He later landed a job at Hopeless were he started booking bands, then worked sales, and ended up doing A&R which is finding artists for labels.
Tobin gave the advice for music students to work with what they have and to not make excuses for why they can’t do things. As strategies for getting started and being successful he offered that being honest, communicating with others, and building relationships is both and a learning experience.
When hiring interns he said he bases an intern ambition and motivation as high qualities of what he’s looking for. He also expressed to the bright eyed MEISA club that waiting for someone to tell them what to do won’t get them the job.
“I don’t hire anyone but failures usually because at least failing means you tried,” he said.
Tobin’s message to be persistent, motivated, and to not be afraid of failing but to rather embrace failure gave the MEISA club a little inspiration for their futures.
“He stressed the importance of mistakes because even if you failed at least you tried. It’s something I’m not used to hearing, that it’s okay to fail,” said Jessica Siemion a sophomore communications major and MEISA member.
The MEISA students were very thankful to have Tobin come talk them about the possibilities the future holds. Tobin’s advice gave the music students ambition and hope towards their own musicalgoals.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can. You have to make your own opportunities, nothing is given to you,” said Stephanie Vaughan, MEISA secretary and sophomore Music Industry major.
