Nicole Lipman (Cole), Hey Cole mastermind, mixes her business-savvy approach to promotion with an intense passion for inspired music. Cole possesses a bachelor’s degree in music management and a master’s degree in marketing. She also had an extensive internship while working at a New York City music supervision firm.
Cole explains that during her internship, she met the musician who would inspire the creation of Hey Cole Presents.
“A month after I started (the internship), a new intern came into the office. She kept telling me how she was a singer and that she was going to bring in her EP for me,†Cole says. “One day people in our office were jammin’ out, and they asked her what she wanted to sing; so, she picked up a guitar and sang ‘Me and Bobby McGee.’ This was the first song I ever heard April Smith sing.â€
Cole was impressed with Smith’s graceful vocal crescendos and Janis Joplin-esque sass. Smith’s compelling talent was the catalyst that set Cole’s career in motion. “She brought in the EP the next dayAfter I listened to it, I knew I had to get involved with her career,†Cole says. “I decided there was no time like the present to start my own business.â€
Smith became the first musician signed to Hey Cole Presents. “I truly believed from day one that she was going to be the next big thing, and I was going to do whatever it took to make it happen,†Cole says.
With Cole’s promotional efforts, Smith is certainly on her way to becoming “the next big thing.†In 2006, Smith took home three Asbury Music Awards for Best Female Vocalist, Best Local Release (“loveletterbombsâ€) and Song of the Year, “Bright White Jackets.â€
Smith is only one of the many diverse acts represented by Hey Cole Presents. Other signed bands include: Anthony Fiumano and the Medicine Chest, Joanna Burns, The Chilling Details, The Misery Loves, Uniform, The Milwaukees and Alex Brumel. Cole has utilized these bands to create dozens of well attended and promoted shows at some of N.J.’s most reputable venues, including The Saint, The Court Tavern and Maxwell’s.
Even though Cole has already found success, she continuously seeks to expand Hey Cole Presents. “I hope to get the licensing end of the business up and running in early 2008,†she says, “and I have already been working on on tour management as another leg of the business.â€
With the business poised to grow, Cole says that she will remain committed to her original goal: above all else, the music will always come first. “As a promoter, my main goal with every show I throw is to have bands play that I feel are at the top of their game,†she says. “I select bands to play that I think are amazing and want to help spread the word.â€
Hey Cole Presents will certainly continue to be the go-to promoter for cutting-edge and innovative bands. Bands can count on a business-savvy approach to promotion, with an unwavering commitment to excellent music.
Signup for our Mailing List
* required