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Amanda Van West

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"If you've lost your faith in love and music, the end won't be long." - The Libertines

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Amanda Van West

  • Welcome
  • About
  • Work
  • Awards & Press
  • Tunes
  • Blog
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Music Advocate

There's not a single day that goes by where I'm not obsessively listening to or thinking about music. Since 2011, I've been able to professionally channel this (arguably) unhealthy obsession as Head of Music at Applauze. My role primarily involved running the music discovery app Band of the Day, up until its closure in July 2015. During that time, I hand-selected over 1300 emerging bands to expose to a global audience of millions.

My discerning ear for music was integral in Band of the Day earning the following accolades:

•App of the Year Runner Up to Instagram (2011)
•iPhone and iPad App of the Week (2011)
•iPhone and iPad Hall of Fame (2011)
•New York Times: Top 10 Apps of 2011
•Selected as one of the Best Apps of 2013 by the Google Play Store

Outside of my work with Band of the Day/Applauze, I relish in putting together playlists for every occasion, attending concerts and festivals, and connecting with like-minded music geeks on social media. 

Music Advocate

There's not a single day that goes by where I'm not obsessively listening to or thinking about music. Since 2011, I've been able to professionally channel this (arguably) unhealthy obsession as Head of Music at Applauze. My role primarily involved running the music discovery app Band of the Day, up until its closure in July 2015. During that time, I hand-selected over 1300 emerging bands to expose to a global audience of millions.

My discerning ear for music was integral in Band of the Day earning the following accolades:

•App of the Year Runner Up to Instagram (2011)
•iPhone and iPad App of the Week (2011)
•iPhone and iPad Hall of Fame (2011)
•New York Times: Top 10 Apps of 2011
•Selected as one of the Best Apps of 2013 by the Google Play Store

Outside of my work with Band of the Day/Applauze, I relish in putting together playlists for every occasion, attending concerts and festivals, and connecting with like-minded music geeks on social media. 

Artist Management: The City and Horses

Artist Management: The City and Horses

As of January 2016, I've inadvertently stumbled into artist management. The City and Horses are a New York-based indie pop band, who I've been digging since we featured them in Band of the Day app. While living in NY, I finally had the chance to meet them. One thing led to another, and now I have the fortune of working directly with them. Take a listen by clicking on this sentence.

The band responsible for my music fanaticism

The band responsible for my music fanaticism

I worked directly with the band's manager to coordinate this feature in Band of the Day app. I first became obsessed with them in high school, so it was a dream come true to work with their team and showcase their music in the app.

From a Band of the Day feature to network TV

From a Band of the Day feature to network TV

One of the most touching pieces of feedback I've received from a band featured in Band of the Day app came from Rubblebucket. They informed me that the feature was responsible for them being booked on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which was their network television debut. 

Kishi Bashi's Kickstarter

Kishi Bashi's Kickstarter

My feature on Kishi Bashi in Band of the Day app resulted in a spike in pledges for his Kickstarter campaign and an article in Entrepreneur magazine. 

Thank you note from Destry

Thank you note from Destry

While going down the last.fm rabbit hole of music recommendations, I discovered a band called Destry. I contacted them for a Band of the Day app feature, and received this heart-warming note after it ran. This is why I do what I do.

Sound Friend: What Music Leaders Listen To

Sound Friend: What Music Leaders Listen To

In 2014, I was selected to join Sound Friend, an invite-only music community of tastemakers. Every month, I select and write about one song that I'm really into at the moment, which is shared across Sound Friend's socials.