Billie Eilish Enlists Jason Owen as New Manager
In a significant shift in her career, Billie Eilish has partnered with experienced talent manager Jason Owen, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Owen, who leads Sandbox Entertainment, brings with him a roster that includes notable artists like Kacey Musgraves and Kelsea Ballerini. Additionally, Owen will be overseeing the management of Eilish’s brother, Finneas, who has been an integral part of her musical journey as both a producer and collaborator.
Farewell to Best Friends Music Management
For the past ten years, Eilish and Finneas have been under the guidance of Danny Rukasin and Brandon Goodman from Best Friends Music Management. This team, along with Eilish’s mother, Maggie Baird, played a pivotal role in transforming her from a viral phenomenon into an acclaimed musician. During their collaboration, Eilish achieved monumental success, amassing over 100 million Spotify subscribers and releasing several top ten hits, including her breakout single “Bad Guy,”as well as “Everything I Wanted,” “Therefore I Am,” and “Birds of a Feather.”
Jason Owen: A Proven Track Record
Jason Owen, who established Sandbox Entertainment in 2010, has a rich background in the music industry, particularly within the country genre. His career began with executive roles at Universal Music Nashville, and he has since expanded into television, film, and Broadway. Noteworthy projects he has worked on include the 2023 documentary June about June Carter Cash, the acclaimed stage show Shucked, and the television drama Monarch. Owen’s accolades include Grammy, Emmy, and Tony awards, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in artist management, particularly for female performers.
Eilish’s Ascendance to Stardom
Billie Eilish first captured the world’s attention in 2015 with her breakout track “Ocean Eyes,”written by her brother Finneas. By 2019, she had solidified her status as a global superstar with the release of her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. This landmark record earned her multiple Grammy wins in 2020, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, catapulting her into the spotlight.
Recent Successes and Future Endeavors
Since her Grammy triumphs, Eilish has continued to influence the music scene with her subsequent albums, Happier Than Ever and Hit Me Hard and Soft, each yielding hit singles like “Happier Than Ever,” “Therefore I Am,” and “Lunch.” In a remarkable achievement, she and Finneas clinched two Oscars for Best Original Song, winning in 2022 for “No Time to Die”and again in 2024 for “What Was I Made For”from the movie Barbie.
Finneas: A Collaborative Force
Beyond his work with Eilish, Finneas has made a name for himself in the industry, collaborating with artists such as Justin Bieber, Tate McRae, Halsey, and Selena Gomez. His recent project includes co-writing and co-producing “Scared of Loving You,”the lead single from Gomez and Benny Blanco’s newly released album, I Said I Love You First. Finneas has also ventured into solo artistry, releasing his albums Optimist in 2021 and For Cryin’ Out Loud! last year.
Looking Ahead
As the Eilish team transitions, there is a bittersweet feeling among members regarding the departure from Rukasin and Goodman. However, there remains a deep respect for the significant milestones achieved together. Eilish is now gearing up for the European leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour, set to kick off in Stockholm next month.