The electronic music scene welcomes a new powerhouse: Rhizome Music, a full-scale artist management, event production, and promotion company. Co-founded by two industry veterans, Calhoun McDougall and Louis DeMarco, Rhizome Music aims to revolutionize the dance music landscape with a fresh approach to artist support and immersive live experiences. Set to launch on November 12, Rhizome Music promises to bring forward-thinking, genre-bending talent and dynamic event production to audiences.
About Rhizome Music
Calhoun McDougall brings a wealth of expertise from his time at Mammoth Music Group and The Gradient Perspective, where he managed key acts and contributed to some of the most memorable electronic events in Colorado. Louis DeMarco, a seasoned production manager and artist liaison, has supported iconic tours for artists like Tyler the Creator, YG, and Atmosphere, gathering a global perspective that complements Rhizome’s mission. Together, Cal and Lou bring over 20 years of combined experience to the table, coupled with a diverse network across the electronic and live music sectors.
Although Rhizome Music is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, it draws its roots from the Denver music scene, where Calhoun built his reputation working with prominent acts. Rhizome’s initial roster includes genre-defying talents such as Manic Focus, 5AM Trio, Frameworks, and Phyphr, along with up-and-coming artists like Megan Hamilton, Murkury, and PINEO & LOEB. Rhizome’s team amplifies these artists’ voices, fosters their growth, and creates unforgettable, hybrid dance experiences that challenge genre boundaries.
“Our mission is simple: Planting seeds to grow the Culture,” said the founders, emphasizing Rhizome’s commitment to creating genuine connections in the digital age. Beyond artist management, Rhizome aims to leave a lasting impact by nurturing an inclusive and innovative space within the industry. This launch represents not only the culmination of years of industry collaboration but also a promise to bring fresh energy to the dance music scene.
Q&A with Rhizome Founders
As part of Rhizome Music’s launch, we sat down with founders Calhoun McDougall and Louis DeMarco to dive deeper into their vision for the company and the future of artist management and live events in the dance music scene. In this exclusive Q&A, they share insights on their journey, the inspiration behind Rhizome Music, and what sets their approach apart in an ever-evolving industry.
What gap did you see in the industry that led you to believe now was the time to start Rhizome Music?
We noticed that a lot of management and production companies were solely focused on the business side of things, sometimes at the expense of the artists’ creativity and well-being. There seemed to be a need for a space where artists felt supported in a more personal way, somewhere they could genuinely grow without all the pressure to conform to industry standards. We wanted to build something that’s artist-driven and culture-focused — a company that really values the process of creating music and connecting with fans. It felt like the right time to step in and offer a fresh perspective.
What can fans expect from a Rhizome event?
Fans can expect performances and curated experiences that’s all about the music and the community. We work hard to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe, connected and can fully enjoy the artistry. It’s not just about big performances; we focus on the little details that make the event feel special — from lighting and visuals to curated spaces where fans and artists can interact. Our goal is to make each show feel like an immersive experience where people walk away feeling inspired and part of something bigger.
What unique opportunities or challenges come with managing a roster that spans such diverse styles, from jazz-inspired bass music to electro-soul?
The diversity in our roster is honestly one of our favorite things about Rhizome. It gives us a chance to work with artists who each bring something completely unique, and it opens up amazing opportunities for cross-genre collaborations. The challenge, of course, is that each artist has different needs and goals, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But we see that as a positive — it keeps things exciting and makes us constantly think creatively about how to support each artist’s vision as well as for our artists to support each other, limiting internal competition. Plus, it allows us to bring different fan communities together, which can really add to the energy of our events as well as increase exposure to new demographics.
What’s your vision for Rhizome in the next few years?
We want Rhizome to become a go-to platform for artists who want to innovate and connect with fans in a real way. In the next few years, we’re hoping to expand our roster with even more diverse artists, grow our event series, and hopefully bring our vision to new cities and countries. Ultimately, we’d love for Rhizome to be known for fostering a culture of creativity and community, where artists feel at home and fans know they’re in for an authentic experience. We want to build a space that is meant to bring joy to our clients, supporters and us as fans of the music!
The electronic music scene welcomes a new powerhouse: Rhizome Music, a full-scale artist management, event production, and promotion company. Co-founded by two industry veterans, Calhoun McDougall and Louis DeMarco, Rhizome Music aims to revolutionize the dance music landscape with a fresh approach to artist support and immersive live experiences. Set to launch on November 12, Rhizome Music promises to bring forward-thinking, genre-bending talent and dynamic event production to audiences.
About Rhizome Music
Calhoun McDougall brings a wealth of expertise from his time at Mammoth Music Group and The Gradient Perspective, where he managed key acts and contributed to some of the most memorable electronic events in Colorado. Louis DeMarco, a seasoned production manager and artist liaison, has supported iconic tours for artists like Tyler the Creator, YG, and Atmosphere, gathering a global perspective that complements Rhizome’s mission. Together, Cal and Lou bring over 20 years of combined experience to the table, coupled with a diverse network across the electronic and live music sectors.
Although Rhizome Music is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, it draws its roots from the Denver music scene, where Calhoun built his reputation working with prominent acts. Rhizome’s initial roster includes genre-defying talents such as Manic Focus, 5AM Trio, Frameworks, and Phyphr, along with up-and-coming artists like Megan Hamilton, Murkury, and PINEO & LOEB. Rhizome’s team amplifies these artists’ voices, fosters their growth, and creates unforgettable, hybrid dance experiences that challenge genre boundaries.
“Our mission is simple: Planting seeds to grow the Culture,” said the founders, emphasizing Rhizome’s commitment to creating genuine connections in the digital age. Beyond artist management, Rhizome aims to leave a lasting impact by nurturing an inclusive and innovative space within the industry. This launch represents not only the culmination of years of industry collaboration but also a promise to bring fresh energy to the dance music scene.
Q&A with Rhizome Founders
As part of Rhizome Music’s launch, we sat down with founders Calhoun McDougall and Louis DeMarco to dive deeper into their vision for the company and the future of artist management and live events in the dance music scene. In this exclusive Q&A, they share insights on their journey, the inspiration behind Rhizome Music, and what sets their approach apart in an ever-evolving industry.
What gap did you see in the industry that led you to believe now was the time to start Rhizome Music?
We noticed that a lot of management and production companies were solely focused on the business side of things, sometimes at the expense of the artists’ creativity and well-being. There seemed to be a need for a space where artists felt supported in a more personal way, somewhere they could genuinely grow without all the pressure to conform to industry standards. We wanted to build something that’s artist-driven and culture-focused — a company that really values the process of creating music and connecting with fans. It felt like the right time to step in and offer a fresh perspective.
What can fans expect from a Rhizome event?
Fans can expect performances and curated experiences that’s all about the music and the community. We work hard to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe, connected and can fully enjoy the artistry. It’s not just about big performances; we focus on the little details that make the event feel special — from lighting and visuals to curated spaces where fans and artists can interact. Our goal is to make each show feel like an immersive experience where people walk away feeling inspired and part of something bigger.
What unique opportunities or challenges come with managing a roster that spans such diverse styles, from jazz-inspired bass music to electro-soul?
The diversity in our roster is honestly one of our favorite things about Rhizome. It gives us a chance to work with artists who each bring something completely unique, and it opens up amazing opportunities for cross-genre collaborations. The challenge, of course, is that each artist has different needs and goals, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But we see that as a positive — it keeps things exciting and makes us constantly think creatively about how to support each artist’s vision as well as for our artists to support each other, limiting internal competition. Plus, it allows us to bring different fan communities together, which can really add to the energy of our events as well as increase exposure to new demographics.
What’s your vision for Rhizome in the next few years?
We want Rhizome to become a go-to platform for artists who want to innovate and connect with fans in a real way. In the next few years, we’re hoping to expand our roster with even more diverse artists, grow our event series, and hopefully bring our vision to new cities and countries. Ultimately, we’d love for Rhizome to be known for fostering a culture of creativity and community, where artists feel at home and fans know they’re in for an authentic experience. We want to build a space that is meant to bring joy to our clients, supporters and us as fans of the music!
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