Pioneer Records shows off student talent at release show

Written By Tia Bailey, Co-Features/A&E Editor

Students showcased their musical talents last Wednesday at Pioneer Records’ Release Show.

The 2022 Release Show took place at The Club at Stage AE and featured performances by Cesca Violet, Tupelo and The Kill Caesar Club.

Taylor Schutt, a senior sports, arts, and entertainment management (SAEM) major, is the Marketing, PR, and Social Media Coordinator for Pioneer Records.

Schutt joined Pioneer Records as an intern for her current position under Dana DeSantis after Professor Ed Traversari told her about it. Now, as a senior, she was responsible for marketing for the release show.

“Planning the marketing and social media posts for the release show was a little nerve-wracking,” Schutt said. “I was really stressed that I was not doing a great job, but we ended up getting a huge turnout, and people enjoyed themselves.”

Schutt said that her favorite part of the night was watching the stars perform onstage and seeing how the event turned out.

Abbey Russell, a senior SAEM major and Director of Talent and Booking for Pioneer Records, began volunteering with the organization her freshman year and was an intern for her current position last year.

“A show like this takes months of preparation,” Russell said. “We started by setting a date with Stage AE, [and] then I worked with their team to start selling tickets and marketing the event. Then I worked with the artists to develop a timeline and their setlists.”

Russell said that even though planning the event was stressful for the team, it was worth it in the end because of the turnout and being able to see people enjoy the event and support the artists.

“It was great. Everything went smoothly, and we had a great turnout,” Russell said. “We were able to have some awesome vendors at the show as well.”

Russell said she is thankful for the resources and experiences like the release show that Pioneer Records provides.

“I truly believe Pioneer Records offers amazing resources to Point Park students,” she said. “Pioneer Records allows students to have hands-on experience with event management, marking, booking and so much more. Our whole team works so hard to foster a creative, accepting community and help our artists reach our goals.”

Russell adds that they will be holding an Open Mic Night at Gasoline Coffee Co. on April 28, which happens to be their last event of the semester.