Montse Galeano is a profesisonal who has turned her love for music, writing and photography into a career. The interview reveals her lively, dreamy, and curious character. She works as the Communications Manager for Sala Paral·lel 62 and the record label El Genio Equivocado. She is also a freelance photographer. Montse loves discovering new bands, enjoying live music, and helping to create special moments for fans. With her beautiful words, she reminds all of our readers to never to give up and to always seize every single opportunity in life.
What is your job and what do you like most about it?
I am the Communications Manager at Sala Paral·lel 62 and the record label El Genio Equivocado. Occasionally, I also work as a freelance photographer, my specialty is music photography and as a contributor to the music magazine Mondo Sonoro. What I like the most about my job is being able to work in what I am most passionate about, discovering new bands, enjoying live music and making others enjoy it. One of the best feelings is when I'm working at an event and I can take a moment to see how fans of an artist are vibing with their songs and I like to think that my daily work contributes to creating those unique moments.
What is a day of work like with you?
A day of work with me is VERY busy! Specifically, at Paral·lel 62 my job involves defining the strategic communication lines of the project (always in coordination with the venue's management) to communicate both the events we host and the entire social and musical creation support project of the venue. I develop and implement the communication plan, as well as coordinate campaigns for the different events both online and offline.
When did you start getting involved in the music industry and why?
It happened during university. I started a music webzine with my friends. As students, we thought it was a good way to put into practice what we were learning in class and apply it to something we were passionate about. In this webzine, you could find reviews, concert chronicles, interviews... it was a very cool period where I discovered a lot of music and it was my first approach to the music industry. We ran the webzine for about 4 years and it helped me discover a lot of bands, improve my writing and photography style, and learn a bit more about how the music industry works.
What did you study and why did you choose those studies?
I studied journalism, did a postgrad in scenic photography and a master's in digital culture and emerging media. I've always loved writing, learning and exploring stories behind books, movies and music. Music, in particular, has been my refuge. At 15, a powerful concert experience inspired me to pursue music journalism. Over time, I've explored artist promotion, digital communication, event organization, and music photography. My education reflects this diverse journey.
What were your first impressions of the music industry when you started?
That it is a very hostile world. I felt that I couldn't miss any event because it could be an opportunity to grow, as it is very difficult to establish yourself. It caused me a lot of distress not to meet my own expectations and at the beginning, it can be very frustrating. Luckily, there are many people who want to change these dynamics and build a healthier, fairer, and more welcoming industry.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a Communications Manager in the music industry?
In a city with many events like Barcelona, the big task is to keep up with the cultural agendas of your target audience. It is very important to plan all communication actions well and to be able to have a plan B or even C if something goes wrong, so it is a job where you need to be resourceful.
Have you ever noticed any differences because you are a woman?
Yes, definitely. Especially when you start your professional career because being younger and having less experience makes you encounter barriers. In more male-dominated scenes, stereotypes and inequalities still persist. In this sense, associations like MIM (Women in the Music Industry) are doing a great job making these situations visible with data. Again, I consider myself very lucky to work in environments where there is a lot of awareness of the inequalities in this sector and where we fight to break down these barriers, working in networks and collaborating with other actors.
How would you describe the Spanish music industry and, since you are from Barcelona, could you tell us about the Catalan industry as well?
I think that within the music industry there are many industries. Let me explain. It is an industry where great contrasts are produced, although it is something that happens globally, not just in Spain or Catalonia. I believe that Spain has a powerful music industry, with a particular focus on macro-festivals and a strong presence in large cities. But there are also many small and medium-sized players who are doing very interesting things, precisely working to break these inequalities I mentioned earlier. In this sense, in Catalonia, beyond the big names that everyone can easily recognize, there are very distinctive proposals and I think it is a scene where you often meet other players in the same places, so it is easy to recognize each other and create synergies.
Who are your favorite singers?
My favorite band, without a doubt, is My Chemical Romance but there are many bands and artists from many genres that I love: Placebo, Britney Spears, Bring Me The Horizon, Dua Lipa, Ghost, Charli XCX... and if you asked me at another time, I would probably come up with other equally varied names haha, always between rock, metal, and pop. However, the one that would never move from the top spot is My Chemical Romance, I assure you, emo forever.
What are your long-term goals in your career as a Communications Manager?
To keep learning, never lose curiosity to discover new bands and to discover the trends in my field and in music. Communication is a field where there are always new things which is very good (you never get bored) but can sometimes be overwhelming precisely because of all the inputs you constantly receive. So, keeping my sanity and passion for music are also two key goals.
Do you have any suggestions for those who want to do your same job?
Of course, I really like this question! When I started in the music industry, people often told me, "work in something else, it's very tough." This message is discouraging so I have always told myself to get a better answer if someday somebody would have asked it to me and here we are! Yes, it is difficult, but if you're passionate about it, it's worth trying. Remember, no job is permanent: if the music industry doesn't work out, you can always change your journey. Maintain your enthusiasm and love for music despite possible stress and setbacks. Resilience is key. Also, don't go it alone. In this competitive sector, support from colleagues is crucial. Build a network to share successes and challenges, offer help, and seek help when needed. Cooperation is vital for a fairer music industry.
Can you recommend a Spanish song to our readers?
Well, the latest single we released on El Genio Equivocado, Recuerdos e Instantes by Vis Viva
You can follow Montse here and listen to her suggested song on our playlist below: