Events don’t just happen. Sydney agency St O’Donnell share the process.
St O’Donnell is fast becoming one of Sydney’s best music events and artist management companies. With their continuously sold out Select Gallery Series, collaborations with RACs and an upcoming double show with the Sydney Fringe Festival, they clearly know what they’re doing. So how does a record label in a Bondi living room transition into such a powerhouse production? As Directors Jesse Shewan and Chin Zuze admit, it wasn’t without a few bumps in the road.
1. Tell us a bit about St O’Donnell and how it started.
St. O’Donnell is an artist and events management agency as well as a collective with an extended family of creative up and coming Sydney minds in fashion, art and film.
We started one summer a few years ago we spent hanging out in Gabe’s garage on O’Donnell Street in North Bondi. We initially were a radio show on Bondi Beach Radio and expanded to managing events and artists as time went on.
2. Who are you working with now?
We are currently working with Pluural, Falqo, Fairbanks and Phillabustar music management wise. Outside of music we are working with so many artists, performance artists, fashion brands and just creative people in Sydney doing cool stuff.
3. What do you feel are the most important skills you need to have when it comes to running an events company?
Being super organised is imperative, I can’t stress enough how important it is to be organised.
Another important factor although not a skill is surrounding yourself with a team of like-minded individuals when running an events company.
It’s always such a blessing having other people’s input and help when planning and running the events.
4. What are the biggest challenges you have faced in business and how did you overcome them?
Trying to curate events in Sydney has been the biggest challenge we have faced, there are so many regulations around events sometimes it can stifle creativity.
The other challenge we have faced is working with unorganised businesses and individuals, which is why we are big on being organised, that way at least we are covered on our end.
5. What events are you planning and where do you see yourselves in a year’s time?
I can’t say too much but we are working on our a few things for 2018, we have some tours coming up, St. O’Donnell’s Select Gallery and our annual pop up Concept Store plus a few other things.
In year we see ourselves still pushing and working on being a better agency/collective, again I can’t give out too much info, but watch us.
To learn more about Chin and Jesse from St O’Donnell head over to their profile.
