Passion Pit and Tokyo Police Club manager Rich Cohen first became obsessed with music in seventh grade, when he heard They Might Be Giants’ sophomore album, Lincoln. But he didn’t think his piano skills were polished enough for him to become a musician himself, so he set his sights on the next best music business career: band management. Cohen got his start in the business interning at Filter magazine and temping at Virgin Records, which led to a full-time job as the day-to-day manager of Interpol and Elefant. In 2006, he formed his own management company and signed indie rockers Tokyo Police Club. Fast-forward three years, and he added his second client, the catchy, synth-pop band, Passion Pit, to the roster. Rich credits his work ethic, methodical nature, and psychology degree from Syracuse University for his success as a manager. Here’s Rich on social networking, interns, and taking the bands home to meet his parents.
more