Candace Krieger and Joel Martorana Launch Beastmode

Live industry professional Candace Krieger and rocker Joel Martorana press the button on beastmode, an artist development and creative venture with a beeline to niche artists who don’t fit pigeonholes.

Unveiled Tuesday (April 12), beastmode starts life an independent management business, booking agency and promoter, with several acts on its roster at launch, and the promise of a live event to come.

Krieger, a former WME employee, and Martorana, a veteran artist, announce beastmode with a hardcore music event, Back On The Map, Vol. 1, set for Sunday, June 12 at Sydney’s The Factory Theatre.

Back On the Map will span two stages, and feature headline performances from Speed and No Apologies, playing their first show since 2008.

Beastmode reaches into hardcore and beyond, notes Krieger, an experienced band manager, tour manager, photographer and live pro who’s reaching out to those leftfield artists and overlooked subcultures who tend to fall outside the industry’s bubble.

“We work on everything because everything matters,” says Krieger. “You gain a lot of varied skills when you spend time both touring in a van across the world, and selling your soul to Corporate America in an office setting. Now it’s time to bring it all together.”

At launch, beastmode’s roster includes Plantface, Whatever, Forever, and several Martorana-affiliated acts, including Colletto Bianco and Peace Ritual.

“We’ve been heartbroken too many times when talented and groundbreaking artists throw in the towel when they’re sick of playing the game,” says Martorana in a statement.

Krieger cut her teeth booking club nights before segueing to digital marketing for Xbox across the Asia Pacific, and working closely with Crowbar Sydney.

As part of the WME team, Krieger worked on acts such as Lizzo, Fatboy Slim, Billy Idol, Faith No More, Dua Lipa, Grimes, Gang of Youths, Joji, A$AP Ferg and Tyler the Creator.

Martorana’s industry skillset was honed on the stage, with Sydney rock outfit Endless Heights and others.

Visit beastmodeworld.com for more.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.