Annie Horvath, Partisan Records

💭 Thoughts on Will Hermes' book Love Goes to Buildings on Fire, Julianna Barwick, and creative inputs being anything done with intention.

Annie Horvath is the Director of Marketing at Partisan Records, where she’s worked since 2012. She began as a Marketing Coordinator then was a Product Manager for several years before moving into her current position, where she oversees campaign strategy for North America & LATAM and manages a team of five people. Partisan’s roster includes PJ Harvey, IDLES, the Fela Kuti catalog, Cigarettes After Sex, Blondshell, Geese, Lip Critic, Angélica Garcia, NoSo, Body Meat and more. After spending six years in NYC, she now works remotely from Charlottesville, VA, where she’s fulfilling her lifelong dream of caring for two long-haired dalmatians, Clementine and Ruby.

🎯 Current focus

I’ve been working with IDLES since the start of 2018, and in that short time, I’ve watched them move from playing a 50-cap venue in NYC (RIP Flowers for All Occasions) to walking the red carpet at the Grammy’s to now headlining their biggest US show to-date at Forest Hills in September.  Their latest album, TANGK, came out in February, and each album release feels like a new beginning, like each major moment with them is just the start of something even bigger. This will probably sound cheesy, but the best part of my job is building something I care about with people I love and respect, and IDLES are a perfect example of that in action. They’re such genuine and caring people with an unwavering vision, and they surround themselves with the same. 

📚 Will Hermes' Love Goes to Buildings on Fire

I’m currently reading Love Goes to Buildings on Fire by Will Hermes, which delves deep into the New York music scene from 1973 to 1977, from the artists involved to the cultural factors at play. It’s such an affirming testament to the power of community, both spaces and people. You consider some of the most influential artists who cut their teeth during this time (Patti Smith, Television, Talking Heads, Blondie, the list goes on), and you get to glimpse how they were supported, how they supported others, and how this allowed their work to impact so many then, and still today. It’s so cool. 

🎶 Circumstance Synthesis by Julianna Barwick

I am forever returning to Julianna Barwick’s Circumstance Synthesis EP from 2019. The five-song track list glides from morning to night, and it transforms my headspace whenever I find myself needing peace to focus. She always meets me where I’m at and never lets me down. 

🗣️ Creative inputs done with intention

I’ve recently spent a lot of time thinking about where inspiration comes from. Reading/listening to interviews with creative director Molly Hawkins (for the Speaks Volumes with Derrick Gee podcast) and with writer Jia Tolentino have served as powerful reminders that what matters is how I choose to spend my time. I think the idea of being “creative” can be intimidating, but if you can avoid putting pressure on yourself to be that in a particular way, there’s more lightness to it. It sounds so obvious but our creative inputs can be anything that we do with intention, whether that’s reading a book, watching a movie, going for a walk, being present with loved ones, or whatever else. When you lean into your own impulse to learn or experience something new, you never really know where it will take you, and that’s invigorating. 

🤝 Being open & enthusiastic about collaboration

In addition to my Partisan Records fam (I look up to too many of them to pick just one), I really admire Carly James at CAA, who I’ve been lucky enough to work with on IDLES, Maple Glider, and other artists. She’s an absolute expert in her field and is always open to and enthusiastic about collaborating on album campaigns. I feel comfortable asking her any level of question because she’s not precious about her expertise, and I can count on her to give me an upfront and thoughtful response. She’s someone who will go the extra mile for her team and her artists, and it’s invaluable to feel this support. Also, she has the most delightful and contagious laugh. 

🌊 Intentionality with how you spend your time

My partner and I are taking our two and a half year old to an indoor waterpark/resort in Virginia this weekend. We’re trying to be more intentional about how we spend our time together as a family in a way that prioritizes what we think our son will enjoy, and this seemed like such a silly and fun idea. There will inevitably be tears, and he might hate it, but I can’t wait. 

🎧 Making space to listen to new music

I think it’s so important to build in focused time and space for listening to new music, whether recently released or just new to me. For me, this usually means going for a walk, taking advantage of a long drive, or sacrificing some sleep to listen in the stillness of night. You’re experiencing the world around you as you listen without being distracted by a screen, and this allows me to hear and appreciate things that I might’ve otherwise missed. 

🫖 Paris tea

Tea has become an increasingly essential part of my life. Mint tea to soothe your tum, Paris tea (shout out Franny for introducing me) or yerba mate for a caffeine boost, chamomile tea to ease into nighttime, barley tea alongside a Korean meal to aid digestion – what can’t it do!!

Follow Annie on Instagram & Linkedin and check out Partisan Records here.

💭 Share your thoughts ➡️ DM on IG or Email us.

✅ Make Thought Enthusiast better by filling out a quick reader survey here.