Secretly Group A&R director Lau Frías
What does an A&R person actually do?
It’s one of music’s perennial puzzles, up there with the distinction between mixing and mastering, and theories on how much time it takes to do “the things we never had.”
For Lau Frías, A&R director at Secretly Group, the role boils down to one core responsibility. “Helping artists feel seen and uplifted is by far the most meaningful part of my job,” Frías says.
Several labels fall under the Secretly Group banner. There’s Jagjaguwar, home to Bon Iver, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Angel Olsen; Secretly Canadian, home to Faye Webster, serpentwithfeet and Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Dead Oceans, home to Phoebe Bridgers, Mitski and Japanese Breakfast; and the Dead Oceans subsidiary, Saddest Factory Records, home to MUNA and jasmine.4.t.
Frías works across the four labels, playing a vital part in amplifying the work of alt-country shoegazers Wednesday, uncanny pop project Chanel Beads, indie folk storyteller Cassandra Jenkins, dream pop songwriter Hatchie, and more.
Hatchie, the project of Brisbane via Melbourne musician Harriette Pilbeam, just released her first single in three years, “Lose It Again,” a melodic gem that will appear on her third album, Liquorice, out November 7 through Secretly Canadian.
Frías worked closely with Pilbeam during the development and production of Liquorice, providing the support necessary for Pilbeam to make an album rooted in self-discovery and reevaluation. Frías also recently interviewed Hatchie, which you can read here.
Now, the roles are reversed, as Hatchie quizzes Frías on her taste in music, her favourite music city, and the highlights of her job.
Hatchie: I know you are a huge live music fan, so I’d love to know what was your first gig and your most recent gig?
Lau Frías: I just got back from seeing Bad Bunny at El Choli, one of his 30 hometown residency shows in San Juan this summer. It was life-changing. Benito is a visionary. What he’s done for us Latinxs – opening conversations about immigration and displacement, educating and connecting the rest of the world to our culture and heritage, bringing people together cross-generationally, all while having such a lighthearted tone and outlook – it’s so seismic and important. I’m so deeply inspired by him.
The first show was a Jarabe de Palo show back in Lima. My parents introduced me to this band in my early teens, and it was love at first listen. They surprised me with concert tickets, and I have such a clear memory of that show. They’re one of my favourite bands to this day. “Depende,” “La Flaca,” “Bonito” – their discography is just incredible. Rest in peace Pau Donés.
If you were a musician, what type of music would you make?
I think I’d make a project that’s playful, feminine, with some unconventional sound design. Something that’s inspired by the likes of Rebe, A.G. Cook and Anne Laplantine perhaps? Soft female plush vocals over some atonal production is where I think I’d end up at sonically. And I would definitely be singing in Spanish!
You’ve lived in and visited so many different cities. Which city do you think has the best music scene?
I think New York has the best music scene right now. I feel so lucky to be living in it. It feels so dynamic and bold. Artists from different scenes ride or die for each other. There’s so much ingenuity that is connected to living in a such a challenging city. Live shows are so well attended and independent venues are thriving.
My friends over at Nina Protocol and [untitled] are facilitating so many exciting new opportunities. Some of my favourite artists to check out are Chanel Beads, June McDoom, Safe Mind, Colle, Anastasia Coope, Threshold, Lily Piette, and tal castle.
What’s your favourite thing about working in A&R?
I’m so honoured to do what I do. Helping artists feel seen and uplifted is by far the most meaningful part of my job. When an artist says to me, “Thank you for helping me find the words to describe my music,” that’s the best feeling in the world for me.
Join our weekly newsletter
