Q+A with Jacee Badeaux, Creative Director of Big Yellow Dog Publishing. Big Yellow Dog is an independent publishing company in Nashville, of which has developed and signed artists like Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Jessie James Decker, Tenille Townes and more.
Q+A
Describe the typical day and / or general duties of a music publisher:
I think what makes this job so exciting is that my day to day is always different. Typically, my day will include listening to new songs, pitching songs, setting up co-writes, and making sure that my writers have everything that they need to succeed. Oh and emails...lots and lots of emails.
What do you look for when signing a new artist or writer?
When looking to sign a writer, I tend to look for someone who is writing music that I can connect with. If I can connect with the song that they have written, whether it makes me happy, sad, mad, or want to dance; then it is likely that others will be able to connect with it as well, and that is really what music is all about.
What are some basic things a writer or artist know when they reach out to a publisher?
I think when you reach out to a publisher, you should make sure they know who you are and who referred you to them, we are not allowed to take unsolicited material, so it is important that we know who the music is coming from. Other than that, writers tend to ask me what I want to hear, and I always tell them that I want to hear what they really love, and what makes them feel.
What should every independent artist or writer be doing no matter what?
I think that every independent artist or writer should be going to shows (when we're not under quarantine). Do your research on other artists and writers and their teams and go support them at their shows. Their team will also probably be at those shows, so you are bound to bump into someone that you could introduce yourself to. The music business, especially in Nashville, is very much a community so just being a part of and around the community and being friendly can open a lot of doors.
Anything you recommend they avoid or don’t do?
When you are out at shows, remember that your reputation is everything and word gets around quickly, so be sure to play it cool and just be friendly.
Any recommendations for artists who do pop, or other music that is not “country” in Nashville.
I think for any artist/writer in any genre, you should find your crew. Start by writing with your friends and have your friends introduce you to their friends to write and so on. I can not name one artist/writer in town that didn't come up with a crew of people that they continue to stick by to this day.
Describe, in your own words, a ‘hit’ song.
A hit song to me, is something that you feel a strong emotion when you hear it. There are songs that are hits that make me laugh or want to dance, and there are also hits that make me want to cry right there in the driver's seat. They're the ones that when you are feeling a certain way, you immediately know which song to turn to.
Any artist you see crushing it that writers or artists can take notes from?
I am a really big fan of Lewis Capaldi. He is a great example of an artist that is very authentic to himself in all facets of the word. Through his songs, you can hear that he just leaves it all out there for everyone to see and that is inspiring to me and hopefully to other artists/writers to see that you don't have to change yourself to be accepted, by just being unapologetically you, you will gain a lot more fans that resonate with that.
