Yang Chen
Roster: Nū (Live Coder + Vocalist), Chef Chung (MC/Rapper), Brown Suga Princess (DJ/Soon to be Producer/Vocalist), Haus of Ralph (DJ/Producer), Zjoso (DJ), Tina Disco (DJ/Producer)
State/Territory: VIC
Listen: Yang’s Manager Of The Month Spotify Playlist
AAM’s Impact on My Journey
Although I only joined AAM a few months ago, the support and opportunities I’ve received so far have already made a significant impact on my development as an artist manager. Through the AAM Manager’s Fund, I was fortunate enough to travel to the UK to attend The Great Escape, an experience that was both professionally enriching and personally inspiring.
During the conference, I connected with a wide network of industry professionals, including international managers, booking agents, and label representatives, people I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise. I attended a range of insightful panels and talks that deepened my understanding of the global music landscape, covering topics such as the importance of independence, artist development, and music publishing.
One of the highlights was attending the Sounds Australia mixer, where I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful one-on-one conversations with managers and agents based in the UK. These interactions provided practical advice and opened up possibilities for future collaborations.
I also made time to see many live performances across the festival, with a standout moment being the Sounds Australia showcase featuring two of my favourite acts, Close Counters and Miss Kaninna. Their sets were incredible and reaffirmed the power of showcasing Australian talent on a global stage.
A particularly special moment for me was seeing my artist, Nū, perform at an unofficial showcase hosted by Miohmi Records at Pink Moon. It was a beautiful, intimate experience and a great stepping stone as we work towards securing a spot in an official showcase in the future.
Being part of AAM has not only provided access to career-shaping opportunities like this, but it’s also helped me feel more connected to a national community of like-minded managers. There’s a real sense of shared purpose, support, and generosity within the network. It’s encouraging to know that as I grow in this industry, I’m surrounded by others who are just as committed to nurturing artists and evolving their practice. I’m genuinely excited to continue learning, collaborating, and building my career as part of the AAM community.
The Heart Behind the Artist
What makes me most proud is the integrity and intention my artists bring to their work. They create from a place of honesty, curiosity, and a deep desire to connect, not just to chase trends or numbers. Whether they’re producing genre-defying music, building communities through their art, or staying committed to their creative values in an industry that can often feel commercial or chaotic, their dedication is truly inspiring.
I’m also proud of the way they continually push themselves, not just creatively, but professionally. They’re thoughtful about the choices they make, open to growth, and unafraid to take risks. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support artists who are both visionary and grounded, and to help them build careers that are as sustainable as they are meaningful.
Ultimately, it’s their authenticity and passion that drive everything we do and being part of that journey is something I never take for granted.
Inspiration and Motivation
I was always surrounded by incredibly talented musicians, especially during my time at VCASS (Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School) and later at VCA for university. Being in that environment was deeply inspiring. Friends would often come to me for advice about their music; what steps to take, how to bring their ideas to life, and I found a real sense of purpose in helping them shape their vision.
Artist management felt like a natural extension of that. I’ve mostly worked with people I already had a connection with, because I believe the artist-manager relationship is deeply personal. It’s not just about strategy or business; it's about understanding each other beyond the music.
What keeps me motivated is working with artists who share a similar mindset, we’re all driven by a desire to create and stay creatively fulfilled. That shared outlook lays a solid foundation of trust and collaboration, which I think is essential in this role.
I founded Kast in 2024 because I wanted to build a space where that kind of connection and creativity could thrive. Kast is about championing artists whose work resonates on a personal level and helping them build sustainable, authentic careers on their own terms.