PlayWork Productions is an artist-centric music production and recording company focused on the development, production and recording of artists performing the various genres of rock music. Formed in 2006, it was a vision given birth by Matt Robnett and Nik Tyler after co-producing demos for Jive Records. Working with rock bands in large-format studios coast to coast, they found that they shared and were realizing a common goal and creative ability to elevate and capture the best musical performances of artists. It was upon that realization that they committed themselves to the creation of an organization dedicated to helping artists achieve the success that their efforts and talent deserve. Greg Altman came on board to join the duo, and they have been riding a wave of success ever since.
As former band members, Matt, Nik and Greg have an innate ability to inspire and push bands toward creating a next-level version of themselves. Matt's production genius and collaborative and creative leadership in the studio, combined with Nik's industry expertise and contacts proved a strikingly powerful developmental force in the careers of the artists with whom they have worked. Greg's instrumental genius and creative talents have touched every musician he has ever worked with. Before long, PlayWork was introducing their clients to major record labels and assisting them through the signing process. The addition of the PlayWork Management group in 2007 under the leadership of Nik Tyler gave PlayWork the opportunity to offer its clients complete band development, consulting, management and access to an impressive network of industry contacts. With our help and advocacy, more than 85% of PlayWork’s clients have received consideration from numerous labels.
Today, PlayWork is continuing to evolve and grow in industry influence. In January 2008, PlayWork announced a joint venture with East Coast Independent to present the ‘ECI / PlayWork Productions‘ stage on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. In recognition of the diversity of their organization’s influence and expertise, the PlayWork founders unveiled the PlayWork Entertainment Group in 2008, an artist-centric family of companies that includes PlayWork Productions and PlayWork Management, soon to be joined by PlayWork Records and PlayWork Distribution.
The PlayWork founders and staff:
Matt Robnett – Executive Producer/Engineer & Co-Owner of PlayWork Productions/Entertainment Matt leads the day-to-day operations of PlayWork Productions and is the production genius and creative force behind PlayWork’s acclaimed status as one of the music industry’s hottest and fastest rising production teams. His impressive production credentials include working with artists such as ‘Four Year Strong’, ‘Valencia’ and ‘The Starting Line’. Artists value his collaborative leadership in the studio and his ability to coax the very best from both vocalists and musicians. As an aspiring artist with a growing interest in production, Matt cut his teeth in the industry as a touring musician with a major label band, followed by coast-to-coast production projects in major studios with small and independent label bands crossing a number of genres. Between production projects at a major studio in NYC, Matt formalized his production genius with a degree from SAE Institute in NYC. Matt and his partner Nik Tyler first conceived the idea for their collaboration in 2006, and PlayWork was born shortly thereafter.
Greg Altman: Greg works side by side with Matt in production and engineering at PlayWork Productions. A serious creative talent in his own right, Greg is dynamic, professional and amazing on both sides of the console as artists coast to coast are discovering. A guitar player and song writer with Grand Electric, Greg is an instrumental genius with a gifted ear for guitar tones. His gear and ability to fine tune an amplifier is unparalleled.
Jake Caramanico: Jake is one of the key members of the PlayWork production and engineering team. Hardcore to the bone, Jake 'works it' hard at the console and never seems to sleep. He'll be there alongside of Matt and Greg to work just as hard as you do to capture 'your sound' and bring it to life.
Nik Tyler – Executive Director – PlayWork Management & Co-Owner of PlayWork Productions/Entertainment Co-founder of PlayWork with partner Matt Robnett, Nik leads the day-to-day operations of PlayWork Management and is our primary contact with the entire entertainment industry, including bands/artists, record labels and distribution companies. Although busy beyond belief, he strives to be constantly accessible to any and everyone, one of the notable aspects of approaching and working with PlayWork. As co-owner of a company that prides itself on being a ‘relationship’ company, Nik leads PlayWork’s relationship building and caretaking. His contacts are excellent and there's almost no one in the industry that he can't get on the phone. Nik leads PlayWork’s remarkable success in getting many of PlayWork’s talented clients signed to major recording labels. A successful musician with a major label band for many years, Nik has an inherent interest in seeing PlayWork’s clients achieve the success that their efforts and talent deserve.
Jen Bragan: Jen is the newest addition to the PlayWork Management team, bringing six years of industry experience that includes running her own artist management company. Jen comes on board as 'Artist Manager/A&R Representative' and will work alongside Nik Tyler in supporting our existing clients and reaching out to develop new relationships. Like Nik, Jen will make sure that your career is organized and targeted to achieve your professional goals – and will make sure that your music gets heard by the right people. In order for your partnership with PlayWork to be a success, seamless communication and organized collaborative work is a must. In support of this and our commitment to our clients, Jen is available 24/7 to address any issue or need that arises.
Mike Funkhauser: Mike works in PlayWork Management alongside Nik Tyler to make sure our client relationships run smoothly and that your music gets heard by the right people. In order for your partnership with PlayWork to be a success, seamless communication and organized collaborative work is a must. Mike helps achieve that by being available to our clients whenever they are in need. A singer / songwriter for The Grand Electric, Mike has strong firsthand industry knowledge and an experienced professional approach to assuring that your professional relationship with PlayWork Productions achieves the success that your efforts and talent deserve.
Jessica Casey: Jessica is an Arts, Entertainment and Media Management major at Columbia College in Chicago and she's joined us for the summer as an intern for PlayWork Management. She's working on an intimidating array of projects and has made a huge impact in a short period of time.
PLAYWORK ONLINE
Jac Vanek: You all know Jac and have been fans of her blog and clothing designs. We're pleased to announce that Jac has designed several new clothing pieces for PlayWork! She'll have all of them with her (as well as her bracelets!)as she takes up residency on Warped Tour, travelling with the PlayWork team during our stage presentation for 21 dates on Warped Tour! Starting with Atlanta on July 9 and running through Chicago on August 2, Jac will be there to meet you at the PlayWork tent and stage. Stop by to say 'hi' and check out her latest designs! You can follow Jac's exclusive Warped Tour blog and tour photographs right here at playworkproductions.com!
Jen Robnett: Jen is a fulltime staff writer and photographer for PlayWork. Jen has spent much of the past 5 years immersed in and writing about music. She'll be a fulltime resident on Warped Tour along with Jac and will also write her own Warped Tour blog right here at playworkproductions.com. Check her blog out under, 'Robnett's Rants'!
Julio Anta: Julio is a fulltime staff writer and phtographer for PlayWork who is building an increasingly impressive resume with his music reviews and industry commentary. Julio will join the PlayWork team at Warped Tour for four tour dates in Florida. When he's not attending and writing about shows and bands, Julio spends his time finding ways to escape the endless sun and rain of Miami, FL!
