Michele Fleischli is the owner of Like Management, an artist management agency. With so many accolades and talent any artist who gets to work with the company is lucky.  I had met a former employee of hers through work, and when I heard Michele was forming Like Management it was a no brainer asking her to be a part of Women in Vinyl.

Michele is a mother, business owner and artist manager who says in her free time she is “…supporting my daughters ideas (she created a physical zine called That’s Interesting)…I need to find a hobby! …and my dog ��“.  Although it’s no surprise she wants to spend time with family when she’s not at work, she has been an artist manager for two decades, having guided the careers of Bad Religion, Sonic Youth, Beck, Tenacious D, Ryan Adams, Rage Against the Machine and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as well as provided support for Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Queens of the Stone Age, Norah Jones, Jimmy Eat World and Band of Horses and produced several large scale projects you’ll read more about below. 

How did you get into your industry / What motivated you?

I worked at record stores through college but ultimately my big break came through working with Garry Shandling. The community of people who love listening to music expressing their art through or with music.

What is a day in the life like?

I never know…I wake up thinking my day may go one way but usually I’m proven wrong. I go through certain lists first thing in the morning of what I need to accomplish and revise the next day.

What has been your favorite / the coolest thing you’ve worked on?

Very tough to answer. I created Festival Supreme with Tenacious D – truly believe it was the best day for the attendees, we thought about every aspect of the experience then took it to the next level. I created Lux Prima Experience with Karen O and Danger Mouse (a multi sensory art installation listening experience). I organize an unannounced Rage Against the Machine performance outside the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. I helped produce the book and live performance of Song Reader a song book by Beck of songs that didn’t exist other than sheet music form. And produced Hello Again with Beck – an immersive event with over 200 musicians performing in the round…just some of the highlights but I can go on. 😉

What has been / is the most difficult part of your job?

People that don’t understand art leads to commerce.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into pursuing what you’re doing?

Management never rests…so finding balance is important. I’m still struggling with this concept. Go see live music…all the time. Find your community and let it grow from there.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself? What drew you to it?

I wouldn’t say I’m a serious collector. I prefer listening on vinyl but I am not good about storage and organization. My moves and divorce hurt my collection.

What types of things are happening in your industry / with vinyl that you’re excited or worried about? i.e. innovation, or trends you’re seeing.

Closing of independent record stores keeps happening but then some I guess more niche stores seem to be opening – I hope kids actually go to record stores and connect with large format art vs thumbnails on a phone.

Tell me what are you listening to right now?

I will always support garage rock – any shape or size from anywhere in the world.

Find Michele:

Instagram: @like.mgmt

Facebook:  @like-management

Website: www.likemgmt.com