Get to Know the WTF Team: Jamie “Jay” Houston

In continuing our “Get to Know the WTF Team” series, today we are chatting with Jay Houston, our beloved Executive Assistant. They work alongside our CEO Steph Maksimow to ensure everything runs smoothly on some of our biggest campaigns including MxPx, GRLwood, Rivals, and more. They are the reason WTF PR continues running smoothly behind the scenes. Learn more about Jay below!

1. How did you get involved with music publicity?

I started my PR journey with a local radio station, I handled their press releases and even did a few interviews. But soon found myself wanting to do more with the actual bands. When I came across the opportunity to intern with WTF, I jumped on it. WTF was my official introduction to the world of music publicity!

2. What do you think makes your approach to the industry unique and indispensable to the industry?

I approach the industry with a fan mindset. As a fan, I am constantly engaging with the communities around my favorite bands and eating up every interview and podcast episode I can. Because of this, I view press from the consumer side of my brain. I think having that fan approach is valuable to the industry and helps us stay focused on who keeps our artists creating - the fans. There's also no guessing with this approach - the communities tell us exactly what they want to see from their favorite bands and being in PR provides a unique opportunity where we as publicists get to align artists with outlets to provide that requested content to their fanbase. I believe that the music business should be fan-focused and that press is an amazing resource for strengthening those fan-to-band relationships.

4. What is your most noteworthy project or achievement to date and why?

I'm not sure what my most noteworthy would be but I've loved being able to be a part of so many different projects. My favorite highlight so far was getting to contribute ideas to the campaign of one of my favorite bands: Emarosa. The first time I saw them at Warped Tour was actually the same day I knew I needed to work in the industry, so seeing them on our roster was an almost circular moment for me. I had this thought of, "Wow. I'm where I was striving to be so many years ago.” That in itself was an achievement for me.

5. What are your genres of music? Favorite artists?

My playlists can range anywhere from brutal gutturals to Broadway soundtracks but I find metal to be my go-to. Dayseeker and The Plot In You really changed my perception of heavy music and will forever be favorites. Over the last year, I discovered Holding Absence and Sleep Token, driving me deeper into the world of ambient metal and solidifying my love for raw emotional vocals.

6. If you could do PR for ANY artist ever, who would you choose and why?

Oh man, Starset. Hands down. I'd love to do PR for Starset. I am in constant awe of their lore and branding and cannot fathom how incredible it must be to be a part of the team building that narrative.

Interested in working with Jay and the rest of the WTF Publicity team? You can contact us here to arrange a time to ask questions, learn more, and brainstorm ideas on how we can help you take your band, brand, or event to the next level!