WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER30,2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
Reading,writing and rock'n'roll Student finds job in music industry rewarding
By Louise Stauffer
lstauffer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Joya Cleveland works seven days a week as a full-time student. But for her, a typical day's work includes shopping for bands such as Korn, Linkin Park, and Marilyn Manson.
Cleveland, a Burlington junior, is the Sony College Marketing representative for the state of Kansas and is also a production assistant for the House of Blues in Lawrence.
Cleveland's job duties for Sony include building window displays for Sony's bands at retail stores, handing out music, posting fliers, dealing with the press and working meet-and-greets with the bands.
"I'm a workaholic," she said.
"joya has her hands full, she's always on her feet," he said.
Drew James, Independence junior and Cleveland's House of Blues co-worker, agreed.
Her job for the House of Blues requires her to organize shows in Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis, and Tulsa.
Organizing a show requires
purchasing all the food and beverages the artists want, setting up their dressing rooms, and taking care of random errands such as driving the artists to gyms, drugstores or restaurants.
On Monday afternoon, Cleveland's car was parked in front of the Granada packed with groceries such as sugared cereal and cases of bottled water and alcohol.
"Sometimes vegetarians and vegans are hard to shop for," she said, remembering when she was sent to the store for techno artist and famed vegan Moby's show. "They pretty much don't eat anything but lettuce."
She had just finished a shopping trip for the band Good Charlotte, who performed at the Granada Monday night. Good Charlotte's shopping list was fairly easy compared to some she'd seen.
Cleveland said sometimes most of the food on the artists' wish list wasn't touched, but the alcohol usually disappeared quickly.
She sometimes makes multiple trips to the liquor store in one night to satisfy each band's drinking habits.
But there are also benefits. Cleveland hardly ever pays for concerts or CDs and she attends an average of three shows a week.
Cleveland had a Spanish test the day after the Good Charlotte concert and planned to study after leaving the Granada around 2 a.m. After studying, she is typically able to sleep for a couple of hours before the next day begins.
She said all the work is worth it.
After all, Cleveland will leave today for a Sony music conference in New York City and an all expenses-paid weekend. Missing classes for such an opportunity is a sacrifice Cleveland is willing to make.
Before coming to the University of Kansas last year, Cleveland attended Butler County Community College in El Dorado and received an Associates in Arts degree. While she attended Butler, Cleveland worked as an intern at the radio station KICT-95, a rock station in Wichita.
After a month there, the radio
"She always puts music on when she's here, and she could pretty much tell you anything about any band."
Linda Cleveland Joya Cleveland's mother
station's sister station, which played classic rock, needed a disc jockey. Cleveland said she was thrown on the air without a clue about classic rock music.
"I was the worst," she said.
Jared Soares/Kansan
Cleveland said her radio experience helped her stand out when she applied for her job with Sony.
Burlington junior Joya Cleveland works the merchandise table during a concert at the Granada Monday night. Cleveland's job allows her to interact with many of today's hottest rock acts.
Cleveland began classes at the University last fall, and is currently pursuing a degree in journalism. While juggling work with school was easy for her at Butler, she said it was a challenge here.
"I have no time for homework," she said. "I have a lot more trouble here."
Cleveland said her roommates wish they could spend more time with her, and romance is out of the question.
"I couldn't have a boyfriend even if I wanted to," she said.
Cleveland's mother, Linda Cleveland, said Joya always had a strong work ethic, but Linda worried about Joya's busy life.
"She always puts music or when she's here, and she could pretty much tell you anything about any band," Linda said.
Linda said Joya had also always loved music and tried to get Linda and her husband. Grover, to develop a taste for new sounds.
Cleveland said although the music industry dominated by
men, being a woman has it's advantages.
When she worked in radio, she said she had an easier time getting interviews with artists at concerts.
The constant stream of rock stars doesn't faze her anymore. When a member of Good Charlotte stopped by to chat, she looked like she was talking to a friend.
"I'm pretty jaded," she said. "These guys are just big nerds like I am."
Edited by Sarah Hill
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