MEET OUR TEAM
Dean Earls
CEO
Dean Earls has an ear for music and an eye for talent.
A native of Ireland, Dean found success at Pulse Recording College in Dublin and graduated with honors at just seventeen years old. While in school at the age of sixteen, Dean founded Realizm Entertainment, an independent record label, production company, and studio. He promoted and procured radio play and television airtime for many young local groups. Following his own musical interests, Dean was the drummer in a band, The Spills, which came to prominence during the 2004 Bray Summerfest. In Ireland, Dean worked tirelessly to participate in studio sessions with major artists such as Aslan and Brian McFadden, gaining valuable experience in sound engineering and studio management.
In 2006, Dean moved to Los Angeles and took an internship with The Program, under multi-platinum-selling record and movie producer L.T. Hutton and the legendary Snoop Dogg. He was hired as the Studio Manager and Head Engineer following his internship at the company’s Hollywood Sound Studio and worked with artists such as Ashanti, Warren G, and Omarion, among others. During this time, Dean was also working for Doggy Style Records performing artists and repertoire (A&R) work finding new artists for the label.
Dean attended SAE Institute and received his Audio Engineering Diploma in 2007. He began developing his own artists, preparing himself to one day open his own studio. In 2012, Dean became the Assistant Engineer to Jean-Marie Horvat, a renowned mixing engineer in the industry. He worked with artists such as Justin Bieber, Trey Songz, Jessie J, among others. Dean was also part of the Muse Studio team where he worked with major record labels to secure the necessary studio time for their artists while ensuring that appropriate contracts were in place and budgets were followed. Turning his career to artist development, Dean worked for labels such as Atlantic Records, Warner Bros Music, Universal, and Sony Music as an A&R Consultant matching songwriters and producers with top artists.
In 2019 Dean partnered with Tucker Bodine, founder of the original Playback recording studio in Santa Barbara and veteran mix engineer and producer Daniel “Overtone” Marquez of the Undefeated Music Group to establish Playback LA. Playback is a TEC award-winning, 2 x Emmy award-winning and grammy nominated recording studio whose clients range from P!nk, Katy Perry, and Travis Scott to Oprah, Jeff Bridges and many more..
Dean is the founder and CEO of The Gold Minds Group of companies, which houses his artist management company GoldMinds Management, where he works with the next wave of rising artists including Austin Sexton. His vast experience in the music industry has given Dean the unique ability to blend the style of a new artist with the songs and music that create their innovative flair. Dean focuses mostly on urban pop, R & B, singer-songwriter and Rock music and is always on the hunt for tomorrow’s next superstar.
.When he is not working, Dean enjoys playing poker and was considered a professional before he was legally allowed. In 2011, Dean founded the “Jingle Bell Rock” charity which puts on an annual Christmas concert featuring local, Irish talent. All proceeds of the Jingle Bell Rock concert are donated to a music program for kids living in Ireland as well as the homeless.
Shane Moloney
Music Manager
Shane started his music journey back in 2014
Shane started his music journey back in 2014 when he and two friend’s started HomeGrown Music, HomeGrown Music was a place for artist’s to showcase their music in Bray where there was no such place catering for the up and coming artist’s in his native Co.Wicklow. From there Shane started to work in management with local bands. Following the passing of one of his friend’s Shane put together a CD in his memory and to raise awareness for suicide and depression. Featuring on the CD is Mundy, The Frame’s, Phil Coulter, Buckshot Amber and 34 other artist’s from all over. Shane continues to run HomeGrown Music and also another night in Dublin called The Quinn Session’s where Shane will be using both platform’s for scouting for the next line of up and coming Irish artist’s / bands.
Nikki Hayes
Head of PR
Nikki Hayes has worked on Irish radio for 25 years. Starting on pirate radio and working up to nationals and now on multi regional station classic Hits.
Nikki has helped break new music in the country and fully supports all homegrown talent. She’s a published author, mc, TV and radio presenter as well as a strong advocate and ambassador for mental health services in Ireland