Mondo.NYC Speaker
Gabi Kochlani
Founder and Head of A&R, The Grey Administration
Gabi Kochlani's journey through the music industry is a testament to her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership. As an A&R Executive, music publisher, and the founder of The Grey Administration, Gabi has spent over two decades shaping the industry landscape and championing emerging talent.
Born and raised in the vibrant cultural mosaic of Los Angeles, Gabi's passion for music was ignited by the city's rich heritage and creative energy. Her journey began as an A&R Coordinator at Elektra Records, where she discovered her interest in working with music talent and nurturing their potential. Over the years, Gabi's career path led her through a diverse array of experiences, from working in management with artists like Crosby, Stills & Nash to touring with Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers under Disney Concerts. It was during these formative years that Gabi honed her craft, mastering the intricacies of the music business and cultivating invaluable relationships.
With a creative edge and a keen eye for talent, Gabi ascended through the ranks, landing pivotal roles such as Creative Director for Adam Anders’ (Executive Music Producer of Fox’s TV show “Glee”) publishing company and label Bump Into Genius, which boasted joint ventures with Warner/Chappell Music and Capitol Records. Here, she played a pivotal role in signing and developing multi-platinum songwriter and artist Ben Burgess.
Gabi's journey continued with positions such as A&R Manager at EMI Music Publishing, where she worked alongside industry titan Jon Platt and signed multi-platinum songwriter Mikal Blue. Her most recent role as Senior Director of A&R at Universal Music Group's 10:22PM imprint saw her collaborating with top-tier artists and working across frontline labels including A&R for Alesso, Lele Pons, and Carly Gibert, while also spearheading A&R for the critically acclaimed Blade Runner: Black Lotus Soundtrack.
In early 2023, Gabi's entrepreneurial spirit led her to found The Grey Administration, a boutique music publishing and A&R services company dedicated to fostering talent and facilitating creative collaboration for songwriters, producers and artists worldwide. Through TGA, Gabi has signed an array of diverse talent, further solidifying her reputation as a tastemaker in the industry.
Driven by a passion for equality in the arts, Gabi is also the visionary and founder behind PopOut LA, the first-ever LGBTQ+ focused music industry conference. This groundbreaking event, held at the LGBT Center in Hollywood in April 2024, serves to foster inclusivity and empowerment within the industry.
With an unwavering dedication to her craft and a boundless love for music, Gabi Kochlani continues to champion talent, amplify voices and shape the future of the music industry with integrity and purpose.
The State of A&R: Trusting the Human Touch
10/16/24, 2:00 PM
Nothing still beats human intuition and gut instincts in A&R. This session will cover case studies of how these elements continue to elevate artists from obscurity to stardom. We’ll also go over the old-school methods that merge with modern strategies to develop talent at any stage. Respectfully, AI will be banned from this panel.