Earlier in the month we published this Help Center Article introducing you to some new information surrounding the Mission System. One of the adjustments communicated was the official recruitment of a few ‘Mission Managers’ who’ll be your points of contact for the missions making up your lists. You likely see their names around the Slack channels already but may not feel like you know them yet. Well don’t worry, we’ve got you covered and have organized a quick-fire Q&A to help you get to know some of them!
Let’s start with Penny!
Where are you from?
I’m from the States and have lived in Louisiana, NYC, and most recently Dallas, Texas before I made the move to Italy.
What’s your ‘history’ with music and Musixmatch?
I worked in the music industry at Universal Music and other labels, then once I moved to Italy, I made my way to Musixmatch. I started as an English Content Editor and eventually have made it to the New Releases and clients’s Ops team.
What’s a song you just keep coming back to?
An old standard Spiritual, ‘How Great Thou Art’
And what’s your favourite lyric/s within it?
“I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder thy power throughout the universe displayed” When I need a perspective shift, it helps me contemplate something bigger than myself
Which artist came out on top of your Spotify Wrapped?
Taylor Swift
What’s your favourite past article from Connected and why?
I enjoy the articles that highlight our exceptional community, for example, this one. It adds a personal touch and helps us to discover more about the team.
Do you have a general message you’d like to share with the community?
Thank you for hard work and dedication, especially for our New Music Releases and clients. Your efforts truly make a difference, and we appreciate the time and energy you put into everything!
Next we're hearing from Deirdre.
Where are you from?
I’m from Ireland!
What’s your ‘history’ with music and Musixmatch?
Music is a very integral part of Irish life. Most families grow up learning an instrument - I used to play piano and guitar when I was younger, and now periodically take up the violin to scrape out some notes (much to my neighbour’s delight!). When I saw the job opening as a Content Editor here at Musixmatch, I knew I wanted this job and to work in this area, as it’s something that I have always loved.
What’s a song you just keep coming back to?
My go-to is Van Morrison’s “Sweet Thing” these days ❤️
And what’s your favourite lyric/s within it?
“We shall walk and talk in gardens all misty wet with rain /And I will never grow so old again /Oh, sweet thing”
Which artist came out on top of your Spotify Wrapped?
I think it was Beabadobee!
What’s your favourite past article from Connected and why?
I like to read the articles which are about the community itself - the interviews with community members. It’s nice to learn more about the people on the other side of the lyrics 😊
Do you have a general message you’d like to share with the community?
I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the passion, collaboration, and hard work you guys put in every day ❤️
Laurell is up next! She keeps an eye on operations generally and may contact you about a range of missions.
Where are you from?
I am from Jo’burg in South Africa
What’s your ‘history’ with music and Musixmatch?
I’m a graduate of the VW Music, Arts & Dance academy where I received tutelage from some of the greatest African music and theatre writers and producers and I eventually wrote and starred in a few, mainly musical productions. I was also the Arts/Culture & Entertainment Editor of our University paper and one of the founding members of our Campus radio station which we built into a national radio station in South Africa - I cut my teeth as the drive time presenter there. There is a parallel that goes back much further though, because in my analogue childhood days I spent hours writing the words to my favourite songs in a lyrics notebook my friends and I shared, training maybe for my eventual start at Musixmatch (decades later) as an English content editor.
What’s a song you just keep coming back to?
I think that Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest song writers of all time and there’s no way his songs can’t put a smile on even the most dour face. Try it, listen to:
But recently Kendrick Lamar - TV Off makes me smile too!
And what’s your favourite lyric/s within them?
Stevie Wonder: As you're not helpin' to make this earth / A place sometimes called hell / Change your words into truths / And then change that truth into love / And maybe our children's grandchildren / And their great-grandchildren will tell/ I'll be loving you (always)
Which artist came out on top of your Spotify Wrapped?
My Spotify wrapped is only ever Beyoncè (and I will not be explaining any further)
What’s your favourite past article from Connected and why?
I really loved the profile piece Mauro did when Olawale hit 1 million points - that was such a feel-good moment and acknowledgement of all the effort the community makes every day and then we had other Specialists interviewing Olawale - very precious moment
Do you have a general message you’d like to share with the community?
I find the community to be a very welcoming, fun space of kind and passionate people. I personally have many pleasant daily interactions with members and a positive reaction to my requests (people understand the urgency) My message for the new year is to please remain humble, kind and helpful and keep doing the good and positive things you do!
Finally for now, it's Pablo!
Where are you from?
I am from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
What’s your ‘history’ with music and Musixmatch?
I studied folkloric dance back in Mexico, which was in part the result of my passion for dance, and we all know the important role that music has in dance. So I'd say music has been with me all the way since I was a child; studying it gave me a strong connection with my traditions and heritage. Now that I live far away from the land I grew up in, I listen to the music that I listened to back then to feel closer to home and remember the times I spent there. I also love to discover new cultures through music and dance.
What’s a song you just keep coming back to?
Like I said before, I'm a romantic and I love music that has a strong voice for calling back home. Hasta la Raíz from Natalia Lafourcade will always be one of my favourite songs. I especially love the version with Los Cojolites and Los Autenticos Decadentes.
And what’s your favourite lyric/s within it?
"No habrá manera, mi rayo de luna
Que tú te vayas"
Which artist came out on top of your Spotify Wrapped?
My dear Karol G, as some of the community know I'm a dedicated fan of hers
What’s your favourite past article from Connected and why?
I personally don't have a specific one, but I always love to read the articles that speak about our Specialists and Curators. It is a way of feeling closer to the people we work with every day. And just like everyone else, I'm always curious to know more about the people I write with!
Do you have a general message you’d like to share with the community?
Thank you to everyone for their efforts. I wish you the very best for the New Year to come and hope everyone can close this year in the best way possible!
Thanks very much to Penny, Deirdre, Laurell, and Pablo for their interviews! Stay tuned for more from Marda and Robin, as they all work hard to help the missions work well for you!
