Growing up in a small town doesn't mean a person should dream that way. The general reaction to my dreams of changing the world is what one might expect, but the philosophy is this: The majority of the people we know likely have their basic needs met, so we have the luxury of having wants. Why not go after our wants? Do what it takes to realize your wants, change your own world.

That in mind, if part of your wants are to better the world outside of your own, do it. I have always believed in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “be the change you wish to see in the world”. My way of being the change these days is through Letting Artists Make Art (LAMA), a company dedicated to helping musicians make a living through their music. Look forward to the first releases from LAMA Records later this year, but for now, call it a management company that provides its services to a number of musicians, with that number growing at a steady rate.

So, what exactly do I do? I do different things for different artists. Through LAMA, I have served as a tour manager for a national hip hop tour. I have represented artists at COCA (Canadian Organization of Campus Activities), and secured US representation for and travelled with Art of Fresh as they performed as one of only five international showcase artists at the NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) National Conference in Boston in February. I have written countless grants; working with and learning from D.O., a true master and renaissance man in the music industry. I have booked concerts and tours. I have played the odd opening set and plan to release my own record later this year. I have acted as a press contact. I have done a lot of different things in the relatively short time I've been in the industry, and admittedly, some things I do better than others, but I have never taken for granted the opportunities presented to me, and I dedicate myself to the people I work with. We all have hiccups, but the key is rebounding and staying the course, and never giving up on our wants.

I want artists that I work with to earn a living through their art. I don't promise people stardom, but if I believe in them, I promise that I'll work with them to the next stage in their career. I want to bring LAMA to be recognizable in the music industry as a company rooted in honesty, hard work, and integrity; building meaningful relationships and partnerships with artists and industry alike. I want to help Canadian musicians earn respect, support, and success in our own country, as well as outside of it. I want LAMA to change the world through its universal language of music, and you already know my philosophy on having wants, so count on us to make it happen.

If you have any questions, want information on booking our artists or how we might work together, invite me out to a show, or just chat about the industry, please send me an email. I will always write back, and I will always be honest.

Thank you for your continued support in Letting Artists Make Art.

Preetam Sengupta
Letting Artists Make Art / LAMA Records
preetam@lamavision.com