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Kat Wnek

Kat Wnek

Future 5th

Artist Manager / Head of Global Development at Future 5th

Working in the music industry for over 15 years, I've had the privilege of seeing different aspects of the business, from show production to radio tracking. I’ve chosen to manage artists as it’s a very complex and interesting gig, it's a wonderland gratifying journey.

Hey Kat Wnek! Where are you based?

Now in Toronto, Ontario

Where do you work? What do you do?

I work for an artist management company called Future 5th.

What are you listening to?

I’ve been listening to 70’s & 80’s music a lot lately. Also Michael Jackson (tremendous fan) ABBA and CCR are definitely part of my most recent playlist but I do listen to anything from rap to folk as well, big fan of Ray Lamontagne. My playlist is very much all over the place these days. Depends on how I feel in the moment really.

How do you discover new music?

I like to read music blogs for my own personal pleasure, however, if I like a song by an artist that isn’t necessarily popular I made sure to keep an eye out and follow their journey through their socials.  My go-to blog is Pitchfork, though I do cave into the occasional algorithm playlist on streaming platforms. I’m also fortunate enough to have people in the music industry send me music that they are working on. I’ve discovered a lot of really cool artists and songs through SoundCloud as well. I love that platform

Pre-covid I would go to bars and smaller venues where they had live music, I enjoyed just sitting there and listening to the bands play, also when attending concerts I would go early to see the opening act!

What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?

We live in a digital world right now, I listen to music on streaming platforms. I still have my (now scratched, LOL) CD collection though

I really miss cassettes!

Where do you do most of your music listening?

I spend most of my day listening to music, mostly while working from home and I don’t leave the house without my earphones, I don’t have a state-of-the-art stereo setup but my wonderful BlueTooth speaker does a great job

How do you find and listen to pre-release music?

I find pre-release music on blogs that I like and also have friends who trust me enough to send me music before its released, of course for my ears only 😛

What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?

I really miss the physical booklets, and the pleasure of sitting down and appreciating the artwork and reading lyrics that were part of the whole experience of buying a CD, cassette or vinyl 

The benefits of digital music are how quickly files can be exchanged, and changes and tweaks can be made by being anywhere in the world. I get a lot of links to music, especially when in the middle of working on new projects so I think there’s a benefit in digital and file exchanges when it comes to deadlines.

“I get a lot of links to music, especially when in the middle of working on new projects so I think there’s a benefit in digital and file exchanges when it comes to deadlines.”

How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?

I create my own playlist and add my new discoveries to my “new yummy music” playlist. I tend to save music to my music library right away

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Do you tip other people off to new music? How?

I love to share my discoveries via social media, by posting stories or just sending a link to an artist profile, or simply telling my friends about a certain artist.

Anything you want to “promote”?

One band that I loved and discovered at a conference was Bang Bang Romeo from the UK, been a fan ever since!  I also listen to artists I work with and appreciate and admire their craft, Valdii and Words Like Wildfire both from Toronto, Ontario

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