She Said Feck 2.0

New Brunswick artist management company She Said Feck celebrates its second anniversary this week with a record release show at The Cap.

Matt Carter

She Said Feck’s Kate Butler. Photo by Riley Taylor.

She Said Feck celebrates its second year anniversary this week. Since launching in 2018, the Fredericton-based artist management company has been invested in developing the careers of New Brunswick artists. The company was founded by long time music lover and festival volunteer Kate Butler.

Originally launched as a management company and record label, Butler says she put the label side of things on hold last year so she could dedicate more time to strengthening her current roster which includes Heat $heets, Sound Drown and The Tortoise, the Hare and the Millionaire.

“I’d say we’re primarily a management company right now,” said Butler. “The label is on the back burner while I get established. Hopefully this year I will put the record label portion of the project out in full force.”

Looking back on the past couple of years, Butler admits to struggling with all the usual challenges new businesses face but feels she’s starting to find her groove.

“We’ve had some growing pains for sure,” she said. “I’ve had to reevaluate my goals and musician’s goals and where we’re all going. It’s been a struggle to find the balance between growing as a business and growing with an artist’s goals in mind.”

But despite the expected growing pains, She Said Feck has already had more than a few moments Butler is particularly proud of.

“I think one of the biggest high points so far was seeing The Tortoise, the Hare and the Millionaire on the Blues Tent stage at last year’s Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. It was very exciting for them and for us as a little family.

“I think Fredericton is starting to get back on the map again and that’s really exciting as well.”

In addition to having a background in communications – a valuable skill set for anyone working on the business side of music – Butler recently completed a two-month Artist Manager’s intensive with Canada’s Music Incubator in Toronto.

“That was an amazing experience. Getting to be there for two months and having the opportunity to learn from so many amazing people and mentors. It was great,” she said.

The course was structured around four solid days of classroom work each week with guest speakers and instructors from all points within the industry. Participants were also encouraged to attend meet and greets and artist showcases as part of the process.

“It was cool to see what the indie scene is like in Toronto now,” said Butler, “and it will be fun to try and bring some of those ideas back home to our scene and to continue to bridge the gap between New Brunswick and larger Canadian centres.”

So what’s the biggest lesson she’s learned about running a management company so far?

“I think we all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have a life while also trying to do a lot to help the scene: going to shows, volunteering, going to festivals, selling tickets, booking bands. I think the biggest lesson I learned was that we’re all just individuals. I’m only one person so I have to pick the things I know I can do, the things I love to do and the things that make me happy. I think we’re all a little like that, but we can’t do everything, as much as we’d love to. I think that’s the most important lesson I’ve learned.

“I think my plan going forward will be to reach out for help in areas where I need it the most,” said Butler. “I’ve already had lots of help from folks in the scene and so I think that will continue in 2020.”

To mark the anniversary, She Said Feck are hosting Heat $heets’ debut EP release show at The Cap on Saturday night.