My First Job in Music: Nicole Rich
This month, Queer Capita is highlighting LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders through our series, My First Job in Music. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are centering our series on the visionary women who navigate the complexities of the modern music landscape.
We continue the series with Nicole Rich (She/Her), the Head of Streaming at Big Loud Rock. Based in Los Angeles, Nicole’s trajectory from a teenage Justin Bieber superfan in Chicago to a powerhouse executive is a masterclass in digital literacy and networking. Her journey highlights how passion—when paired with a "net worth is your network" philosophy—can turn a Twitter account into a high-level career in artist development and partnerships.
Read about other LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders and Allies in our community.
What was your first job in music?
My first "unofficial" job was running a Justin Bieber fan Twitter in 2009. It grew to over 25,000 followers—the largest in my hometown of Chicago—and that’s when I realized I could actually do this for a career. My first official job (not including internships) was as a Client Development Coordinator at AWAL in 2018, where I worked across the artist and label management team for the then-growing distribution company.
Who was someone who supported you to help you get your start in your career?
There were so many people, from university mentors to internship advisors. Sascha Stone Guttfreund and Carisa Ibanez gave me my first music industry job in Texas working for Scoremore Shows. Trey Hicks at Giant Noise in Austin helped connect me to so many great people (and fellow Longhorns) in LA for my move. Finally, James Ahearn, one of my internship managers at Red Light Management, was instrumental in helping me land my first full-time role.
Nicole and Justin Bieber.
What was a lesson you learned at the start of your career that you still carry with you?
Be nice to everyone on your way up, because you never know who you’ll see on your way down. Also, your network really is your net worth—that reputation stays with you throughout every different job title and company you work for.
What was your favorite memory from your first job?
An overall highlight was getting to work with artists I grew up listening to and helping with their rollouts. One specific memory that stands out is hosting Greyson Chance at the AWAL/Kobalt offices for his new music. I had been a huge fan of his as a teenager, so getting to work with him and meet him as an adult was a total full-circle moment!
Nicole Rich and Aly & AJ
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Work hard, but enjoy each season of life that you’re in. You’ll eventually make it to where you want to go, but you’ll never get back the time you let pass by because you were too busy hustling for the "next" opportunity.
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