(Colorado) Colorado produces world-class artists and The Colorado Music Industry Alliance wants to develop a stronger industry here to support them. This burgeoning nonprofit originated as the brainchild of two members of Colorado’s music community: artist manager and consultant Kelsy Lartius Miguel, and hip-hop artist and event producer DNA Picasso.
After years of working in the local music industry, they both recognized that while a vast number of people and organizations were working to boost Colorado’s music scene, they were all approaching their shared goal in different ways. They founded CMIA to connect these micro-communities, including musicians, venues, radio stations, and other music industry professionals, so that we can use our greater collective power to achieve tangible results.
We are hosting our very first music industry mixer on Wednesday, October 9 at Fort Greene, and we encourage any 21+ artists, industry professionals, and curious media personnel to join us from 6 to 9 p.m. for an evening of networking and connection!
“The reality is that we cannot build and grow a successful, diverse, and equitable music industry here without ensuring that we’re keeping and attracting those who are on the business side of the equation too,” explains co-founder Lartius Miguel. “Artists cannot do it all on their own, and we need more of that industry infrastructure here in order to make real change.” Adds Picasso, “CMIA differentiates itself by focusing on unity and collective action across the entire spectrum of the music industry in Colorado. While other nonprofits may focus on niche areas or specific segments, we aim to bring all stakeholders under one umbrella.”
Our work is driven by three key values: quality, community, and diversity. Through programming, advocacy work, and accountability, CMIA intends to unite, educate, support, and uplift all facets of Colorado’s music industry.
Our primary objectives are to pool our collective community resources, facilitate partnerships between different industry players, produce and distribute accessible educational content, and advocate for policy changes to ensure that the interests of our community are represented in our government.
“By fostering collaboration rather than competition, CMIA will break down silos within the industry, and provide a platform for cross-sector partnerships that will benefit everyone involved,” Picasso emphasizes. “Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on advocacy and policy work, looking to actively engage with local and state policymakers to push for initiatives that create long-term growth and sustainability for the Colorado music scene as a whole.”
As we launch CMIA over the next few months, our mission is to assess what resources are currently available and make them more accessible, says Lartius Miguel: “Much of this initial phase will be about increasing access and bridging those gaps in our current music industry landscape. Serving as a connector is really going to be the main focus in this first year.”
The first Colorado Music Industry Alliance music industry mixer will take place on Wednesday, October 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fort Greene Bar (321 East 45th Street, Denver, CO, 80205). This is a 21+ event, but we look forward to hosting all–ages mixers in the future. Please RSVP here if you plan on attending, and feel free to invite any other music industry professionals in your circle. For more information on CMIA’s mission, or if you’d like to get involved, visit our website. For press inquiries or interview requests, please email cleomirza@gmail.com.
