Chase “Chasenectar” Björnson (Employee Spotlight)
When we asked what brought him to Missoula, he answered, “Destiny.” A wise and witty answer for someone who’s been raised in the Garden City since they were one year old. We’re thankful for the kismet that brought him here, and delighted that he’s stayed.
You’ll often see him running around the Top Hat or the Wilma on the day of a show. Chances are he’s making sure your favorite artist is taken care of once they arrive to the venue. He’ll have been in contact with the tour manager long before the event — “advancing” the many facets that come along with live entertainment. He’ll coordinate a proper load-in and soundcheck, while gearing up for the ever challenging task of overseeing the transformation from restaurant to music venue if he’s at the Top Hat. At the end of the show, he’ll meet with artist management and prepare the proper settlement documents.
Chase Bjornson, one of Logjam Presents’ Entertainment Managers, is also our Green Initiative Coordinator. He helps us make our shows, venues, restaurant, and operational systems environmentally sustainable. He coordinated the implementation of composting and recycling programs across all our venues, and worked to replace single-use plastic items with compostable, reusable, and recyclable alternatives, like our new aluminum water bottles.
Aside from all that, he’s got bass in his blood and his heart beats to house. He is: “Chasenectar” — Logjam’s resident electronic music buff who has a lot of experience relating to the genre. This makes him a great asset to have while we decide which electronic artists to bring to Missoula.
Chase, similar to our VP of Operations, Dan Torti, originally made his way into the entertainment industry by being an independent promoter, but we’ll let him tell you all about that. You can also find out what he likes to do outside of work, who he’s currently listening to most, what his favorite book is, and plenty more below.
What’s your background in regards to Entertainment Management/Production? Did you go to college or have training? Was there a previous job that led you here?
I consider Warped Tour 2004 to be the ‘start’ of my entertainment career. My eldest brother worked on the Warped Tour at the time, and he brought me to the Bozeman, MT stop when I was 12. I had an all access pass and as a result I was exposed to the exciting, frantic world of a touring music festival’s backstage. It was beautiful chaos and it changed my life. I consider that day to be the beginning of my identity as I know it. Before that, I was just a kid aimlessly trying to figure out life. After that, I was a committed disciple of punk rock. I started skateboarding, I got my first guitar, and I started jamming with friends and playing in bands. I went back to Warped Tour every summer for the next several years.
I booked my pop punk bands on shows throughout high school. Later, in my freshman year of college, I found myself in the Entertainment Management 101 class at the University of Montana. In my first days of class I decided that I wanted to combine my passion for music with my love of business and start an entertainment company. I was young and hungry for knowledge and experience. Not long after, at the age of 18, I started Royale Entertainment Company. The first show I booked was Seattle Hip-Hop duo Knowmads at the Palace Lounge in 2011. In the following 6 years of developing Royale, we hosted hundreds of shows in Montana, Idaho and Washington, and started the annual electronic music festival Socotra. Around the same time that Royale was born, I started working event staff for UM Productions, the student-run organization responsible for producing the large scale shows at the Adam’s Center. In my 5 years at UM Productions I worked as event staff, event staff supervisor, event staff manager, concert coordinator and finally, director. I also worked on the production team at Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheater, and as a stagehand for Rocky Mountain Rigging. I graduated from the University of Montana in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with specialization in Business Management, a Certificate in Entertainment Management, and a Minor in Media Arts.
I started Royale as means of getting real, hands-on experience to get my foot in the door of the entertainment world in hopes of landing a sustainable career job down the road. When I was presented with an opportunity to join Logjam Presents, it was a no-brainer. I’d be able to continue my work in bringing music that I am passionate about to my home state, but in a much larger and more diverse playing field. I signed on in early 2017 and haven’t looked back since.
What’s the best part about being an Entertainment Manager?
The way my brain works, I need variety and excitement in my day to day. My job certainly satisfies those needs, to say the least. Every show is very different from one another in almost every aspect. As a result, everything is always changing. I have been fueled by the hustle and bustle of event production, so I naturally thrive in this environment.
What’s the best part about being the Green Initiative Coordinator?
The best part of being the Green Initiative Coordinator is making a significant difference in our community (and beyond), and then watching the results unfold. I am a passionate environmentalist and I have tremendously enjoyed working on Logjam’s sustainability projects. Since 2017 we have been working on phasing out all single-use plastic products served at our venues and restaurant and replacing them with compostable and non-plastic recyclable products. I am beyond stoked that in the coming weeks our mission will be accomplished at last, as we roll out our new aluminum water bottles with Montana Silver Springs from Philipsburg, MT.
What’s the most challenging part?
The most challenging part of running shows is trying to balance a million different tasks all at once.
The most challenging part of the green initiative is working around the plethora of obstacles that the world as we know it presents. It is difficult and expensive to implement sustainable practices, yet it is crucial that we pursue these endeavors for the future of the planet and everybody/everything that inhabits it. Fortunately, this is changing for the better everyday with ongoing developments in technology, accessibility, perception and education.
Is there a certain type of show or genre you prefer to work?
I am an electronic music enthusiast, so that’s my world. I also love hip-hop, reggae, ska, classic rock, indie, folk, jazz, and of course my roots: punk rock. Like many professionals in the music industry, I can get down with almost anything. I am not super into pop country, jam bands or bluegrass- but I’ve been known to dabble here and there.
What makes Missoula special to you?
The people. The nature. The art. The music. All of it. I love this place!
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Traveling and recreating, whether that’s international travel, road trips, Burning Man, music festivals, skiing, mountain biking, floating the rivers, camping, or climbing mountains- I thrive on the go and in the outdoors.
What was the best concert you’ve been to OFF the clock?
The most magical performance I’ve experienced as a patron in recent memory was Seven Lions at Burning Man 2018. Odesza in their hometown of Seattle last spring was also fantastic. So was Blink-182 with Weezer and Taking Back Sunday on Blink’s reunion tour in 2009. And The Lumineers at Sasquatch in 2013. And Run The Jewels at Sasquatch in 2015. This is a hard question…..
What was the best concert you’ve been to ON the clock (worked)?
Alice Cooper at Kettlehouse Amphitheater was extraordinary.
Who are you listening to most right now?
Rüfüs Du Sol, Zhu and Seven Lions.
What is your favorite book?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
What’s your favorite meal at the Top Hat?
French dip with tots.
Which venue is your favorite to work at and why?
I love working at the Amphitheater most because I spend the majority of my day outside. I love the Wilma because I feel a special connection to it, having gone to shows there since my pre-teens. I love the Top Hat because every show is intimate.
Do you have a favorite lyric/quote?
“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is going to be alright.” -Bob Marley
Do you recall any embarrassing/funny moment at work?
One time I accidentally turned the lights on for a split second during a support set at Black Tiger Sex Machine’s first Top Hat show… Whoops!
People would be surprised if they knew this about you:
I’m a big time history nerd.
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
The Force (and all that comes with wielding such power).
What’s your favorite drink i.e. certain beer, coffee, gin & tonic..?
Going To The Sun IPA from Great Northern Brewery in Whitefish, MT. And LOTS of coffee
Anything else you’d like to share?
Life is short, go full send.
