Jennifer Fierman’s profession within the music business has been pushed by a deep love for reside music. It has additionally been formed by a fascination with the connection between artists and their audiences.
Since becoming a member of Disruptor Data in 2015 as Head of A&R and Publishing, Fierman has helped form the corporate’s evolution from its EDM beginnings right into a powerhouse of inventive collaboration, administration, and publishing.
“I used to be all the time drawn to the expertise of reside music,” Fierman says. “In school and highschool, I beloved going to reveals and watching the connection between musicians and followers. I didn’t know precisely the place I match into that world but, however I knew I needed to be a part of it.”
Her first job was at Jive Data, working in publicity. From there, she took on a couple of completely different roles earlier than realizing that A&R was the place she really belonged.
Earlier than becoming a member of Disruptor, Fierman labored throughout main labels together with Common, Warner, and Sony Music, gaining a deep understanding of what it takes to develop world artists and construct inventive partnerships.
She’s been instrumental in guiding artists and songwriters like Evan Blair — who wrote and produced Benson Boone’s newest single Mystical Magical (which peaked at No.4 on High 40 Radio within the US) and labored on Boone’s world hit Lovely Issues, which reached No.2 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and topped the charts in 19 international locations.
Fierman additionally manages songwriter Sarah “Solly” Solovay, identified for her work on Teddy Swims’ hit single Dangerous Goals (which peaked at No.7 on the UK Singles chart and No.8 on the US Pop Airplay chart), and Are You Even Actual? that includes Giveon, which reached No.1 on the Grownup R&B Airplay Chart and was co-written with Sean Kennedy.
She has helped develop producer-songwriter Pink Slip (Kyle Buckley), who co-wrote the Katseye viral hit Gnarly, and labored carefully with Dove Cameron throughout her breakout yr, together with the discharge of her High 40 single Boyfriend.
Fierman says that she goals to bridge the hole between creative authenticity and industrial success — a steadiness she describes as “connecting human expertise with world attraction.”
“It took me a very long time to seek out the suitable dwelling that allowed me to develop,” she says. “It’s not all the time nearly your expertise or intuition; generally it’s in regards to the surroundings you’re in.”
Right here, Fierman tells MBW about artist growth, the significance of inventive belief, the evolving position of ladies in music, and why discovering the suitable companions has been key to her success.
What led you to affix Disruptor Data?
I’d identified Adam Alpert (Founder and CEO of Disruptor) for a very long time. When The Chainsmokers began taking off, we reconnected. On the time, I used to be working in publishing, and Adam advised me about what he was constructing at Disruptor, an organization that might unite a label, publishing, and administration arm below one roof.
What drew me in was that mix of major-label energy and impartial consideration to element. After years at main corporations, I used to be craving a spot that allowed for extra private care and inventive freedom, and Disruptor provided precisely that.
What was your greatest problem in growing the Disruptor Author/Producer & Selector Songs roster?
Our greatest problem for the Disruptor Data facet was breaking out of our high-profile roots in EDM music. We actually needed to diversify by signing artists who felt cohesive and complementary to at least one one other that might assist us construct past the style of EDM.
As a result of we function throughout label, publishing, and administration, we would have liked creatives who understood that ecosystem; who noticed the worth of working as a part of a related inventive community.
“We actually needed to diversify by signing artists who felt cohesive and complementary to at least one one other that might assist us construct past the style of EDM.”
On The Selector Publishing facet I centered on figuring out A&Rs and writers with like-minded tastes who may perceive one another’s inventive decisions. We recognized a few key partnerships early on and constructed from there.
What makes you suppose: ‘This particular person has one thing particular?’ What’s your strategy to serving to them, and the way have you learnt it’s an artist you must dedicate your time to?
It’s not nearly discovering individuals who have a extremely clear sense of who they’re, but additionally a way that I can add worth to it. We by no means wish to create an individual’s whole persona. It actually begins with them understanding their beliefs, objectives, and musical type. After I really feel like we are able to add worth, that’s after I realize it’s the suitable match.
You’ve labored carefully with Dove Cameron and Evan Blair. What was that course of like?
After we signed Dove Cameron, she was transitioning out of her Disney period and discovering her new sound. It took time to align her with the suitable creatives that actually helped construct out a sonic panorama. As soon as she started working with Evan Blair (whom we publish), all the things began to click on.
Evan had all the time been an exceptional author. I used to be all the time his fan, and he had accomplished this EP, Fairly Poison, with a Warner-signed artist named Nessa Barrett, which blew me away.
The world he constructed for her, so distinct and emotionally wealthy, was precisely what I’d been looking for with Dove. That collaboration led to Boyfriend, which grew to become her greatest music so far. I really like how particular that music is, you might inform how distinctive it’s in its perspective and the writing, and even simply the best way it sounds. It’s Jazz Pop manufacturing, in a really cool, distinctive means.
Sean Kennedy is one in every of my latest shoppers, and I can’t bear in mind a time after I wasn’t his greatest fan. His music all the time spoke to me from afar, and extra just lately, we discovered ourselves in a spot to work collectively. He just lately collaborated with Solly on Are You Even Actual, which got here out with Teddy Swims and Giveon [at the] prime of the yr, and I’m actually pleased with it.
“I really like the way it seems like a return to my ‘fan self’ after I discover creatives whose music speaks to me so passionately.”
I really like the way it seems like a return to my “fan self” after I discover creatives whose music speaks to me so passionately. Having the chance to assist them work out how you can get that music heard and construct the suitable methods to take it to the subsequent stage has been such a pleasure of mine.
Talking about Evan Blair… Benson Boone’s hit ‘Lovely Issues’ is exploding in every single place. How do you steadiness inventive freedom with industrial attraction?
As a lot as I’d like to take credit score for the right synergy of these worlds, it actually comes right down to the artists, the writers, and their groups.
I’ve all the time been drawn to music that mixes genuine emotion with industrial potential, and all through my profession, I’ve labored to facilitate connections with these shared values.
Culturally, we’re in a second that values vulnerability and rawness. That’s what permits songs like Lovely Issues and Dangerous Goals written by Sarah “Solly” Solovay to attach with audiences in every single place. My position is to assist make these inventive connections doable.
How would you describe the position of A&R in 2025, at a time when music discovery is pushed by knowledge, TikTok, and AI?
I feel all of it is determined by how we use it. Each time new know-how enters the music business, we’ve discovered that preventing it isn’t all the time one of the best reply, particularly if it’s going to maintain pushing ahead, as AI clearly will.
It’s about studying how you can combine it responsibly. AI could be useful in small methods, like testing vocals or pitching demos, however at a bigger scale, it’s nonetheless unclear. What’s essential is that we don’t lose the human factor of creation, as a result of that’s what listeners join with.
Being in a management position, what modifications have you ever seen for ladies on this area, and what nonetheless must evolve?
There have undoubtedly been constructive strides. Extra girls are working departments and shaping government groups, which is unimaginable, and I work with so many who I love and that I name buddies each day.
If I needed to spotlight one space the place I’ve seen actual change, it’s feminine artist managers — there are such a lot of highly effective girls managing large pop artists in the present day, and I can’t bear in mind ever noting this earlier than.
That stated, the actual fact we’re nonetheless asking the query means there’s work to do. One space I’d like to see extra development in is feminine producers. There’s nonetheless an actual gender hole there.
What’s been the largest problem in your profession up to now?
Aligning the suitable companions. Adam [Alpert] has all the time given me the area to belief my instincts and absolutely understand my concepts, and that’s after I’ve accomplished my finest work.
So I encourage folks to maintain that in thoughts when confronted with adversity. It took me a very long time to seek out the suitable dwelling that allowed me to develop. It’s not all the time nearly your expertise or intuition; generally it’s in regards to the surroundings you’re in.
Who’ve been your mentors alongside the best way?
I’ve discovered from everybody — even the troublesome folks. Each expertise taught me one thing precious. I can’t level to at least one single mentor, however I’ve labored with unimaginable leaders and creatives who formed how I feel and lead. I’d wish to imagine I’ve absorbed a little bit of every of them.
What recommendation would you give to younger executives beginning out in music or A&R?
My recommendation is to belief your instincts and do not forget that attaining success doesn’t all the time imply hitting an enormous dwelling run out of the park. Wins present up in some ways alongside the best way, whether or not it’s constructing a relationship that you just carry all through your profession or a peer that you just took an early assembly with.
“My recommendation is to belief your instincts and do not forget that attaining success doesn’t all the time imply hitting an enormous dwelling run out of the park.”
Early on, it’s straightforward to get discouraged and jaded while you’re not attaining the “end-all-be-all” model of success we regularly think about. Nevertheless it’s necessary to do not forget that all the things has goal. It simply would possibly take a while to see it come full circle.
I wouldn’t be right here if I hadn’t made strides alongside the best way. I didn’t have any relationships within the music business previous to becoming a member of it. I constructed each single contact I’ve. It’s actually necessary to recollect how precious that’s while you’re striving towards your objectives.
Are there any world actions or sounds you’re most enthusiastic about proper now?
I really like the Okay-Pop motion. I work with Kyle Buckley (Pink Slip), who was touring to Korea and collaborating with Okay-Pop artists lengthy earlier than the crossover exploded. I work with him on Katseye, on the music Gnarly, which is simply so out of the field and wild. It was simply such a enjoyable expertise.
“I’m fascinated by how Okay-Pop is reintroducing the power of the millennial pop I grew up with, the place it’s all about choreography, massive manufacturing, and character.”
I’m fascinated by how Okay-Pop is reintroducing the power of the millennial pop I grew up with, the place it’s all about choreography, massive manufacturing, and character. That’s most likely one of many actions I actually look out for and luxuriate in being a part of it.
In the event you may change one factor in regards to the music business, what would it not be?
I feel the plain reply is songwriter compensation. It’s the largest situation we face. So many sensible folks can’t afford to pursue songwriting full-time, and we’re dropping voices we don’t even learn about but. I hope we discover a resolution quickly as a result of the way forward for nice music is determined by it.
Virgin Music Group is the worldwide impartial music division of Common Music Group, which brings collectively UMG’s label and artist service companies together with Virgin and Ingrooves.Music Enterprise Worldwide
