Joshua October is a Dorchester Bred Artist & Entrepreneur who owns and operates the Boston based management group Vamp Entertainment, a one stop shop servicing artist management, development, event planning, and even hosts the Vamp podcast, featuring celebrity guests regularly. October has worked with rap legends such as Jehry Robinson, Lil Xan, and Justina Valentine. Read the full interview to find out what inspired the Vamp brand, and all that goes into building a business.
Boston Culture: Where did you grow up? What was that like?
Joshua October: I grew up in Dorchester, MA basically my whole life, before I moved to Florida for a few years. Growing up in Dorchester isn't easy, especially when the streets are alive. I've always been around the entertainment environment, but knew how to keep my distance when it came to being around negative people.
Boston Culture: How did you come up with your business ideas? You got a podcast, entertainment and promotion company, record label, etc.
Joshua October: Actually it was my Dad that came up with Vamp Entertainment. He had a home improvement company for over 25+ years and always wanted to start up an entertainment company and open up a private club lounge. Unfortunately he passed away and never got to accomplish that dream. So I made my last E.P "7:35pm" about our relationship and then I took a break from making music. I focused all of my energy on this company and we've grown tremendously with only running for 8 months now. We're not a record label, VAMP entertainment is a company that throws underground concerts, book celebrities, manage artists and we have a podcast show as well! I currently manage an artist named KreatureLagotth aka the "South Bronx Demon" from NYC. His music is definitely on another frequency and is the next big thing to blow so keep your eyes out for him.
Boston Culture: Talk to us about your relationship with your team. How have they helped you challenge yourself?
Joshua October: My team has been solid since day uno! We all bring diversity to the company and all our energy is connected for sure. You definitely have to get along and vibe with your staff in order to have a successful stress free company! Starting off we have my beautiful future wife Taylor. She's not only my right hand partner but my forever partner in this crazy life. Next we have Jefferson Correa who is our videographer/photographer for the company and the podcast show. This young guy is one of the best in Boston! Next we have Mikayla Shapiro who is the Production Manager for the company and Aracelis Hernandez aka Akilllaaa who is our A&R for the company. They are both incredible individuals who are also the co-hosts on the podcast show.
Boston Culture: What was the best advice you got early in your career? I know you were a dancer but how did the business mentality come into play? Where did you get your entrepreneurial mentality from?
Joshua October: The best advice I got is this: there's a time and a place for everything, take care of your business, handle your responsibilities, have a game plan, and save some money for a rainy day. Those were things that my pops would constantly say to me. I got my entrepreneurial skills from both my parents, but since my mom lives in Florida and I lived in Boston with my dad for a while I saw many different skills and ideas from him. I'm grateful and thankful I was able to receive that knowledge. He wasn't a perfect father but he tried his best with everything and that's all we can do in this life.
Boston Culture: Walk us through the first time you ever threw an event. Who did you book etc?
Joshua October: Believe it or not l've only done one show so far and that was in May of this year. I booked Jehry Robinson who is signed to Tech N9ne's label Strange Music. It was super dope because me and him actually met on Justina Valentine's "Favorite Vibe Tour". I'm not going to lie throwing the event was very stressful just because it was my first show and I wanted to pack that bitch out! I didn't pack it out.. but for my 1st show I did very well bringing about almost 100 people! Last I'll say a lot of things can happen unexpectedly and last minute at any event so I always stay on my 5's and do the best I can bringing nothing but good vibez only!
Boston Culture: Top 3 favorite producers/rappers?
Joshua October: Honestly, I don't even listen to a lot of famous people's music like that. I love my old school music for sure. I'm a 90's baby. As far as what's hot and poppin right now I listen to a lot of underground artists who are super poppin but just not mainstream. I support the underground scene that's bringing all the artists together and giving them a place to perform, giving opportunities that these known music venues don't.
Boston Culture : Walk us through your creative process when thinking of new business ideas.
Joshua October: They just pop in my head usually at the most random times
Boston Culture: What do you dislike about the art world/music industry?
Joshua October: The #1 thing you have to watch out for is snakes and negative energy, that in general, but the industry is extra grimy. Protecting your energy is so important and who you surround yourself with. I keep my circle small, not everyone in the industry is your friend. I'm here for one thing only and that is success and being able to provide for my family.
Boston Culture: Who or what are some of your biggest influences? Talk to us about your roots.
Joshua October: My biggest influences are my family. They inspire me and motivate me to keep going and reach new higher levels within my career and myself.
Boston Culture: Talks to us about your younger mentality and what allowed you to stay focused on your goals.
Joshua October: Yea, I was a little wild boy who couldn't stay still, not in the sense of running the streets and doing bad things but just wanting to grow up so fast and me not having a clue about real life. I was never the best dancer but dance really kept me out of trouble and saved my life in a sense. Chris Brown was definitely a major influence to the start of my dancing which led to my music career which led to the whole entertainment industry. I watched a lot of Youtube videos and taught myself the craft that would end up truly starting this journey into the industry. You would always catch me in the high school hallways dancing, never in class. At the bus and train stops dancing and doing dance battles with others at studios. It brought more life into me and was a major creative outlet.
Boston Culture: What do you think of the entertainment scene in Boston? How did you get plugged in with dozens of celebrities?
Joshua October: The entertainment scene in the city is small, we don't really have a scene like NYC, LA, or ATL. There's people doing great things in the city so shout out to them! I'm going to bring a whole new wave of underground events to the city and really bring something to life out here that doesn't really have a heartbeat yet. I use to work security all over the city in different music venues, clubs and bars and networking is the key to success. That's how I got plugged with so many celebrities by just networking and being myself.
Boston Culture: Tell us about your goals for 2021. Where will you be by the end of the year? Let's start manifesting that now.
Joshua October: My goals for this year is to continue to interview big stars from the music industry, film industry, known actors, comedians, etc... My end of the year goal is definitely to have a stable place where I can throw all my underground concerts and events and be the next big top independent entertainment company in Boston.
Boston Culture: How did the Xan interview come into fruition? That's huge for the culture.
Joshua October: A close friend of mine who’s in charge of running one of the nightclubs in Boston knew his manager. He asked me if I wanted to interview Xan so that he could make it happen and without hesitation I said "LETS GO!" That was the biggest artist we've had on the podcast show so far and it was a blessing. He won't be the last big artist we have and we will continue to make noise in the city giving Boston MA the recognition it deserves!
Boston Culture: Talk to us about the event you have coming up with ABG Neal. What's next for VAMP?
Joshua October: Yea, it's really cool! I feel like we're in a rocket ship taking off! I'm humbled and appreciative and I know this event is going to be wild and sell out! VAMP is the hottest independent entertainment company in the city that brings you nothing but the best underground events and gives all local artists and upcoming artists an opportunity to perform and get their creativity out. We have more shows, more big names coming on the podcast show and more taking over to do!
Boston Culture :Anything else we missed that you want to tell your fans?
Joshua October: Look out for more shows!
Keep up with Joshua October and his business ventures on Instagram @vamp_entertainment.
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