Management Team
Caroline Hoste
Founder
Caroline Hoste is the founder and powerhouse behind MUSIC2. Equipped with more than a decade of entertainment and music industry experience, Caroline is characterized by the contagious level of enthusiasm and passion with which she supports her artists and their visions.
She began in the industry as Arts Editor of The Mancunian Student Newspaper in the mid 90s whilst studying a Double Honours degree at Manchester University. Upon completion of her degree, Caroline moved to Vancouver where she embarked upon her role as the Project Manager for Irish band cult favourite "The Chieftains" at SL Feldman and Associates. Determined to follow her own vision and launch independent artists that inspired her, she went on to establish MUSIC2 in 1999.
Nearly ten years later, Caroline is committed to elevating independent artists with their music, careers and brands. A renegade visionary, her focus is on empowering artists and providing them with the tools to achieve their ultimate goals and career dreams.
Gerard Talbot
Head of Licensing
Gerard's resume speaks for itself. He transferred to the USA from Virgin retail in the UK to head up the artistic boutique music labels of EG, Real World, Venture and Earthworks out of NYC, so yes he got to work with Robert Fripp, Brian Eno and David Sylvian.
In 1993 he transferred to Los Angeles to run the catalogue department of Virgin Records. He then took a brief misstep as Iron Maiden’s label A&R (but to his credit he did get to work personally with the Gang Of Four!) before going on in 1995 to the stylish and newly founded Astralwerks to head up their licensing division. Gerard then had the pleasure of working with Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Air and Chemical Brothers, to name a few of the reasonably successful artists under Astralwerks's wing for licensing in film/TV. After a brief stint licensing for Ministry of Sound he went solo in 2003 and is now fully independent in music licensing, clearance, consultation as well as his own Publishing company Purley Sounds (ASCAP).
For new artist submissions, click here.
James Hoste
Artist Management
Having cut his teeth in the world of music blogging whilst still at University, James Hoste made no hesitation in moving to London upon graduating where he quickly picked up internships at ATC, working with acts such as Kate Nash, The Duke Spirit, Yoav, Ali Love and others.
Following this he assisted at PR agency “Trailer Media” including working on campaigns for Fat Boy Slim, Hybrid, Grand National and Pathaan, he also helped the company's advance into the online world of PR and social media.
Whilst keeping the blog running during this time he also dabbled in club promotion, working with various promoters before engaging himself in management full time in 2009. The face of MUSIC2 in London, James is currently representing a varied selection of artists and building an ever growing network of labels and agencies worldwide.
Lisa Libutti
Social Marketing & Web Development
From 1990, as an avid music lover and online marketing consultant, Lisa Libutti has been intimately involved in the development of a variety of internet technologies promoting music culture.
After finishing her degree in the Bay Area, she headed straight to Silicon Valley to work with some of the emerging new media and technology companies such as UK based 3D Software company Superscape, and Intel new media company Mediadome. Born out of this experience Lisa now specializes in online marketing strategies and comes with over ten years experience in managing online marketing campaigns, with a focus in social media, digital content and web development.
Her technical background and marketing experience comes from working with direct marketing firm eDirect Publishing based out of Los Angeles, California and also running her own freelance consulting business focused in online marketing and web development services. Lisa is experienced in setting up and managing social media channels: websites, blogs, social networks, podcasts, and other online communities and tools. She's adept at planning and executing marketing campaigns for artists, entrepreneurs and clients with an emphasis in new media and web 2.0 technologies.
Janice Hofman
Office Administrator
Janice joined the MUSIC2 team in 2004, embracing the changes and growth
of the company, she has assisted the MUSIC2 team and artists
coordinating flights, work permits and itineraries, handling royalties
for some of the labels we run, contracts and all things in between.
Janice grew up with artistic parents, her mother is a well respected
artist with a studio in Nanaimo and her father is an engineer with an
artistic flair, and this is reflected in her creative pursuits which
include making jewellery.
Janice has an accounting degree, and prior to working with MUSIC2 Management was
working for community service non-profits on Vancouver Island.