Beau Cruz
I first met Beau Cruz in Montauk, New York, introduced to through mutual friends in the summer of 2021 while he was an artist liaison at The Surf Lodge. Palm Tree, the music management company founded by Kygo & Myles Shear, was hosting a pre-party for the Palm Tree Music Festival, which was being held the following day in Southampton, NY. Fast forward a few years to March 2024, I would decide to go full-commit on pursing to work in the music industry.
My first move was reaching out to my current established network who currently work in the industry for any advice/guidance. Beau was one of the first people whose name sparked in my mind. At the time, he had just signed with a new manager and was gearing up for a massive 2024 summer season. After reaching out, Beau went the extra yard and connected me with his manager for a future phone call. Following the phone call, Beau’s manager scheduled a near future in-person coffee chat towards the end of June to discuss where I can add some value to Beau’s brand.
Through our conversation, he mentioned that Beau needed help when it came to his marketing & engagement on social media accounts. Since creating my first Instagram account as a young 6th grader, I have been hooked on the ever-changing creative tools the app has to offer. He followed with, “Do you know anyone who might be able to help him”? This was my moment. Without hesitation, I answered: “Yes, I do. It’s me”. A week later, I was in a taxi with the both of them on my way to film and direct content for Beau at The Miami Heat’s second-round draft selection party for Pelle Larsson.
The next two weeks were a blur of studio sessions, late nights, and creative energy. Beau was locked in, crafting original tracks for the summer ahead, and I was right there, soaking in every moment. Walking into that studio, I felt it again, the same feeling I had stepping into a studio in Tokyo with Carlo Redl. This was where I was meant to be. I wasn’t trying to be a DJ, but I knew that the deeper I understood the music industry in all aspects, the more valuable my stock becomes. I showed up as early as I could, stayed as late as they’d let me, and studied everything: production, branding, artist strategy. This summer exceeded every expectation. Every Thursday night, I’d link up with Beau, and for the next 10 weekends straight, I was locked in: Thursday to Sunday, city to city, show to show. Beau would go on to open for some of the biggest names in the game: John Summit, Fisher, Alesso, Meduza, Steve Aoki, Loud Luxury, Surf Mesa, Disco Lines.
I wasn’t just watching, I was working, playing a role behind the scenes, making sure every show went down seamlessly. It felt like a small taste of being backstage at Radio City Music Hall, watching the magic unfold while knowing how much work was happening behind the curtain. As the summer flew by, my understanding of the industry deepened, and I saw my chance to add value.
One of Beau’s biggest gigs was DJing for Alexandra Cooper’s 30th birthday party. She had just signed a massive contract with SiriusXM and every media outlet was buzzing about her. I knew this moment was bigger than just another set, this was an opportunity. I coordinated a video of Beau DJing for Cooper as she danced on stage blowing out the candles to her birthday cake. Capturing the energy of the night in a way that would maximize his exposure. I was right. The video became Beau’s most-viewed Instagram reel ever with over 1.2 million views.
The summer was coming to a close, and my final weekend working with Beau was set to be a monumental one. He was closing out the 2024 summer season as the opener before Fisher for his Labor Day show at The Surf Lodge. One year earlier, I had made fan t-shirts with my friends for Fisher’s unreleased song, Take It Off. We wore them to his show on Memorial Day Weekend 2023 at The Surf Lodge. I even handed Fisher a t-shirt, and he loved it. The energy, the reaction, it was everything I had visualized and more.
Now, one year later, I wasn’t just in the crowd. I was on the same stage as Fisher, with Beau performing in front of a packed house. People even pulled up to the show on their row boats on the lake that sits outside of the venue. I stood there, taking it all in, thinking: "Wow. I really got here." And I knew, this was just the beginning.
Beau has a packed future ahead being booked to open for both Alesso & Disclosure in Aspen during the Palm Tree Music Festival weekend being held Feb 21-22nd. Additionally, he will be the first act to start off the fifth annual Palm Tree Music Festival that is held in Southampton, New York. As he continues to craft his sound, meet & open for A-List names, and perform in his first festival this summer, Beau has a bright future ahead and it is going to be amazing how everything plays out a few years from now.
