Bogart, who has written songs for Rihanna, Madonna, Demi Lovato, Lizzo and more, insists there are plenty of good times ahead for an industry on the ropes
One of the thing I love about the fact that Kim Masters and the good folks at KCRW let me crash their awesome show The Business to do the occasional guest interview, is that I get to spend time talking with people I might not otherwise interview.
Evan Bogart really intrigued me — and not just because he’s the son of the record mogul Neil Bogart, founder of Casablanca Records and the guy who discovered Donna Summer. I used to love Casablanca Records artists so much in the late ‘70s, I would just buy 45 singles with their colorful logo, sure that whatever was on it — including songs by Kiss, Donna Summer and Cher — was worth my time.
The younger Bogart started off with stories about his dad and mom Joyce Bogart Trabulus, who managed Kiss, but quickly segued to tales of discovering Eminem when was a 19-year-old intern at Interscope Records, writing songs for a host of artists (winning a Grammy for Beyonce’s “Halo”) and his current gig, as CEO of the independent music production and publishing company, Seeker Music.
But what really struck me was how Bogart, who has the boundless energy and optimism of a guy determined to make things happen, still had a lot of enthusiasm for the music business. As a longtime musician myself, I’ve got friends in the business, and its sometimes tough coping with the way streaming services and corporate politics have eviscerated the traditional avenues for earning a living.
But Bogart says that change has also brought greater flexibility for musicians who can capitalize on it. Check out his philosophy in this interview for KCRW’s The Business, presented for your Thanksgiving Day pleasure. Or check out the full show, including a look at the Thanksgiving holiday box office, by clicking here.