In this episode, I talk with Dawn Barger, former Artist Manager for The National, Decemberists, Walkmen, Bryce Dessner, and Perfume Genius. This episode is filled with practical advice including merchandise, building a team, community and more. We talk about how she met The National and built their team to become the massive indie success they are today. She follows a strategic approach, building a roadmap of success for her artists and follows a practice of persistence: hundreds of small victories along the way create a successful career. We also talk about her new venture, a tie-dye and merch business, treating merch like a fashion line to build a cult around an artist's brand.