We recently connected with Eann Robinson and have shared our conversation below.
Eann, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
I remember the conversation just like yesterday. I was talking to a close friend at the time while I was struggling to find a name for my business. My friend mentioned “Eann it’s in your name” I replied, “What do you mean?” she followed up and said your initials are “E.A.R.” and since then I ran with it. “E.A.R.” are my initials, hearing is one of the first instruments that a person learns to use, and the only way to listen to music is through your ears. In addition to that, we work with quality people and provide quality sound to your ears. Boom! Ear Quality was created.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Eann Robinson pronounced “Ian” but some people call me “Eann The Ear.” I was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY but currently resides in Buffalo, NY for the past 3+ years. My start in the music business really started in High School. Shout out to Niagara Falls High School. This is where I started to throw house parties and started to create a name for myself in the area. What was unique about my house parties was that I had performances from local talents in the area Such as Mickiee Moscato, T-Booze & Big Tim to name a few. In addition to that I had a friend who was an up incoming producer who was struggling to know about the business of music. This is when I decided that I was going to school to be in the music business but I know I wanted to understand the business of music, not only for him but for me! Soon after, I enrolled in SUNY Fredonia University, where I majored and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business. This is where I learned a great foundation of the music business that helped me manage and support a few local artists. While in college I was known for throwing parties with my best friend/business partner Kiman Baldon aka Dj 360. During this time Kiman and I flourished and really sharpen our skills as music executives. This is when he and I executive produced our first compilation project called “Welcome to 711” Which is on all streaming platforms. Once we successfully orchestrated this project as well as a music video, we knew we had to turn this into a business. This is when EAR Entertainment was created but quickly changed into Ear Quality, LLC. During the time of creating the “Welcome to 711” project, EQ became close with a producer/artist named MVRRO (@prodbymvvro). MVRRO would go on to be one of the most sought-after producers in Buffalo. Producing a song that topped WBLK’s 7 at 7 it wasn’t 7! Haha. The song was Amber Simone’s “Want It All.” in addition to working with Amber, Mvrro has collaborated with Ooze Gang, Kane Wave, and more. Mvrro went on to also have success with his own projects like “Summer Jam” & “2MRO Sound”.
Over time Ear Quality grew and brought on long-time collaborator and friend Daquella “Queen Q” Blacks as CFO and general manager. Daquella is also a Fredonia University alumni with a degree in the music business. With the assistance of Daquella, EQ was able to evolve. Ear Quality Management had evolved in an Artist Relations company. We understand that we can’t manage everyone but we could provide assistance and support in other ways. Ear Quality is an Artists’ Relations Company that assist and support artist in executing their ideas while educating them on the business of music. Our services consist of Artist Development, A&R Support, Management, Production & Consultation. As a company, we do not just assist and support but create opportunities for creatives and talent.
In October of 2022, we had a successful/sold-out show called “R&B Aint Dead” that highlighted 9 talented local artists. The line-up consisted of the following artist; Kenyada, MEAGAN, Raegene Denise, Charlie Vocals, Tru Journey, Labrina, Jahi, Aurgino, and Montrael while bringing awareness to a non for profit called HOME. HOME is a civil rights organization with a mission to promote the value of diversity and ensure all people have an equal opportunity to live in housing and communities of their choice. R&B Aint Dead started from an open discussion regarding R&B. Sean Combs aka Diddy expressed that he feels like R&B is dead, which became a viral topic. “R&B Ain’t Dead” an R&B showcase will stop all the uncertainty, while giving WNY’s up-and-coming artists, R&B-specific artists, a platform to display their talents. Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, Music Speaks.” This is true for R&B. R&B brings people from diverse communities together. R&B allows you to escape today’s and maybe tomorrow’s worries. When you can’t find the right words, R & B is there. With this showcase, we want to bring people together to celebrate R&B and the upcoming talent that continues to create music that allows us to get through tough times but also assists us in creating great moments.
Lastly, as we navigate the second quarter of 2023, EQ has conducted a songwriting contest with HOME, Unite by Night & Betty Croc Ent. This was another effort to bring awareness to HOME. We received overwhelming submissions but ultimately were able to find a winner. It was not easy. The winner of the contest is a group called Underrated Evolution. Super talented group. The song that won was called “Hold On” which is on all streaming platforms. In addition to wrapping up the songwriting contest, I was honored as This year’s 30 under 30 Changemaker award here in Buffalo but as far as EQ, EQ is starting to think about the 2nd annual R&B Aint Dead showcase, a new untitled event that is coming this summer (keep a look out for that), continue to provide support to long time friend/client Chè Noir who continues to break the barrier in a male-dominated industry. Also, I have a playlist called “Bombers & Ties” that updates every Sunday before 1 pm. You can find this playlist with new music mostly driven by R&B on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. Collectivly brings in 100+ listeners.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of my favorite marketing stories is when were helping one of our clients MVRRO (Artist/Producer), with promoting one of his songs called “Drink Water” from the “Summer Jam” project. As a team, we were trying to figure out how to find a unique way of promoting the song. Boom! Let’s hand out water bottles! So what we did was buy two 45-bottled cases of water and took the label off. We then wrapped the bottles with new labels but this label had Mvrro’s cover art on it wrapped around with a QR Code that people could scan, which will redirect the consumers to a link that will give them the option of listening or downloading the song on their choice of platforms. We then took a bunch of the waters to Fredonia University’s most lit weekend, which is Fred Fest, and passed the waters out.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation within this market is being loyal, honest, and consistent. Knowing good music. In addition to that I’m genuinely an extroverted and personable person, so meeting new people and creating meaningful relationships comes easy to me. More importantly, I have built relationships that are not transactional and these relationships are people who I genuinely support. Friends support friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/ear_quality/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eanntheear/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eann-robinson-m-s-b8a18311b/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/eanntheear
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@earquality2312
- Other: Bombers & Ties Playlist: https://linktr.ee/eanntheear