Today we continue our series on “Pivots”, breaking our long tradition of speaking only to artist managers by inviting in an outsider, the President of Rounder Records, John Strohm.   

While never “officially” an artist manager himself, he’s had the opportunity to work with a wide range of amazing talent throughout his various roles within the music industry, first as an artist and musician himself, as a member of Blake Babies and The Lemonheads, then as the attorney for some of today’s most successful and influential indie artists, including Bon Iver, Dawes, Phoebe Bridgers, Alabama Shakes, and Sturgill Simpson, to name but a few.  

Over the course of our conversation, we touch on the importance of having mentors to guide us, how it often only takes one artist to change the trajectory of your career, and how ascertaining an artist’s goals and aspirations can often differ depending on the role you play in their career.