Northstar Artists Hires Agent Brian Swanson

The roster includes Classic Albums Live, David Broza, Chris Barron, Lankum, Mike Dawes, Michael Kaeshammer, Nefesh Mountain, and Matt Andersen. He also represents a handful of comedians: Trailer Park Boys, Bruce McCulloch (of Kids in the Hall) and Chris Fairbanks.

Swanson joins the agency from Madison House, where he had worked since September 2019. When Swanson was hired at Madison House the Boulder, Colo-based company announced he would lead a new office in Pacific Grove, Calif., and the update from the Minneapolis-based Northstar notes that Swanson will continue to work in Pacific Grove.

Swanson previously worked with Northstar Artists owner Kevin Daly when Swanson was hired for his first agent position at Daly’s Proton Productions. Their paths also crossed at Monterey Peninsula Artists & Monterey International.

After forming his own agency, Hello! Booking, Swanson joined Monterey Peninsula Artists agency and then spent 13 years heading the performing arts department at Monterey International before it was acquired by Paradigm Talent Agency. He was at Paradigm from 2017-2019.  

Before becoming an agent Swanson got his start in the music business at BMG and Capitol / EMI in the mid-‘80s. He then switched to the live side of the industry and served as the original talent buyer for Prince’s nightclub, Grand Slam, in Minneapolis.  

“Every time I have made a move I hope it’s the place from which I will eventually retire, though retirement is a long way off,” Swanson said in a statement. “I’ve known everyone at Northstar from 10 to over 30 years. Kevin Daly, John Lochen, Jen Chabot, Rachel Simon, Diane Daly – these are my people and I couldn’t be happier joining such a hardworking and dedicated group.”

Daly said, “Thirty-year relationships don’t grow on trees and I don’t take them for granted.  Brian is one of my favorite people on the planet and I am honored, humbled and excited to be working with him again.”

Swanson can be reached at [email protected].