Strategic stewardship in the era of immersive dance music
As electronic music embraces immersive shows, cross-media storytelling, and big-room tech frameworks, the role of the modern manager is no longer confined to contracts and scheduling. It is a position that demands visionary thinking, cultural awareness, and business acumen. Evan Baker—manager of Anyma (Afterlife/Interscope)—has emerged as one of the most influential figures guiding the next chapter of electronic music. By aligning one of dance culture’s most avant-garde projects with world-class publishing, touring, and creative infrastructures, Baker demonstrates what modern management looks like in 2025.
A new archetype for music management
Unlike traditional managers who primarily focus on bookings and label deals, Baker’s role has expanded into ecosystem design. Anyma’s career trajectory is not just about dropping hit records or selling out shows—it’s about building a 360-degree universe that encompasses sound, visuals, narrative, and brand. From immersive audiovisual productions to global distribution strategies, Baker is crafting a holistic environment where artistry and commerce reinforce each other.
2025 highlights that earned the nod
- Publishing power move: Anyma signed with Kobalt Music Publishing in March 2025—a strategic step that amplifies catalog administration, sync opportunities, and global rights optimization. Baker’s involvement was key, and his direct statements in the announcement underscore management’s central role in shaping this landmark partnership.
- Touring & agency alignment: Anyma’s global bookings sit with CAA (Ferry Rais-Shaghaghi, Mac Clark, Alex Becket), reflecting a carefully curated tour strategy that balances premier festivals with bespoke immersive productions. Each show feels less like a gig and more like a meticulously designed event.
- Experiential footprint: Beatportal coverage this month references Anyma’s performances at The Sphere, showcasing how his immersive format translates to one of the most ambitious venues on the planet. It’s a testament to Baker’s ability to merge artistic ambition with commercial scalability.
Beyond management: curating culture
What sets Baker apart is his understanding that artists like Anyma are cultural entities, not just performers. His approach mirrors that of creative directors in the fashion and art worlds: build an identity, curate the narrative, and scale globally without losing authenticity. By collaborating closely with visual teams, label executives, booking agents, and digital platforms, Baker ensures that Anyma remains a pioneer in both sound and spectacle.
Management approach: design the ecosystem, then scale
Baker’s blueprint pairs IP development (visual identity, live show narrative) with platform diversification (label ecosystem via Afterlife, major-label partnerships via Interscope) and rights strategy (Kobalt). The through-line is clear: protect artistic integrity while unlocking global reach. This is the formula that allows Anyma to thrive at the intersection of underground ethos and global dominance.
Why he’s our Music Manager of the Month
From publishing innovations to production scale, the dots connect under Baker’s stewardship—and the results are visible in August 2025 through industry reporting, international bookings, and creative output. In an era when many managers are forced to choose between underground credibility and commercial viability, Evan Baker proves that both can coexist. His work with Anyma is not only about guiding a single artist but about defining a new model for electronic music management as a whole.
For his strategic foresight, cultural sensitivity, and commitment to innovation, Techno House CDA Magazine names Evan Baker our Music Manager of the Month for August 2025.