Today we’d like to introduce you to Rishi Bahl.
Hi Rishi, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started getting involved in the Pittsburgh music scene in the early 2000s through my sister, who was really into punk/rock/emo/alternative music then. Then, I started a band while in high school with my best friend at the time that kind of took off. Eventually, I was frustrated by the lack of tours and opportunities we were getting and wanted to take control of our destiny to some degree. I decided to put on a smaller music fest in 2015 that had some national talent and my band in order to help legitimize us. From there, the festival kept growing and growing, and eventually, it became what it is today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh boy, definitely not. Like any business you start yourself, there are speed bumps all along the way. The hardest part at first was to get the agents that rep the bands I wanted on the fest to take me seriously. That took years of proving myself. Over the last 4-5 years, the speed bumps have mostly been a result of rapid growth and covid. I am not sure anyone could have prepared for the issues that were caused my covid, but they really made me question whether I would ever be able to get back to doing this. Thankfully, I was, but it has changed the landscape of the industry in so many ways from talent buying to insurance and everything in between.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a music festival located in Western, PA. We are a fiercely independent, boutique-style music experience that really tries to create a consumer-centric approach.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Serial – Podcast Feakanomics – Book
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fourchordmusicfest.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/fourchordmusicfestival
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fourchordmusicfestival
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/4chordmusicfest
Image Credits
Abby McNatt
Nick Prezioso
