The week saw another first in our season of experimentation — the introduction of our Disruptor Series, a collection of events telling the stories of people making waves and changing perceptions in Boston and beyond. Things got started with a bang, thanks to our guests: CEO of Sofar Sounds Jim Lucchese and Sofar Boston favorite, Jill McCracken.
Our President Jen Reddy kicked off the virtual event by chatting with Jim about his entrepreneurial journey and what led him to Sofar. Jim's past experience includes top roles at major music industry companies like Spotify and the Echo Nest where he focused on building products and services directly for musicians. When the time came to choose his path forward, Sofar's disruption of the live music scene with an emphasis on experience drew him in.
"When you discover an artist live, it's a deeper connection," Jim said. For those who aren't familiar with Sofar, it transforms everyday spaces, from living rooms to retail shops, into captivating venues for secret, live shows, creating an immersive experience that brings guests and artists closer together.
Given the current pandemic, Sofar has had to shift its usual model in favor of virtual programming and community building from a distance. With in-person shows temporarily paused, Sofar is working hard to support its artists through an online listening room, advancing show payments to artists whose shows have been cancelled, establishing a Global Artist Fund, launching artist webinars, and pulling together resources from healthcare to relief fund applications.
Hear the story from Jim himself by watching a recording of our event below.
Next in our lineup was Jill McCracken, a local Boston performer who kindly invited our community into her home for an up-close-and-personal performance. Jill serenaded us with fun and soulful tunes off her album "Shake Me Up," which you can find on her website or any of the other places you typically download music.
Whether you've seen her live in Boston or are just hearing of Jill for the first time, we invite you to kick back, relax, and enjoy Jill's special performance for the Manifest Boston community by watching the video below. Afterwards, consider contributing to Jill's Patreon account to support her artistry in this challenging time.
