Meet Jamie Coletta

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Coletta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started No Earbuds not long after being laid off. Bands were reaching out to hire me pretty much immediately, so I knew the demand was there, but more than anything, I just didn’t want to be blindsided like that ever again. I poured years of work and a reputation-saving level of passion into helping the last label I worked for stay relevant. Getting laid off was like a giant wake-up call that I couldn’t keep giving that much heart to a company that wasn’t my own. If I was going to keep working in music, then I had to invest in myself and my own passion, even if it meant choosing the hardest and way less predictable path.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
No Earbuds is a flexible, one-stop shop for independent, creative underdogs, offering marketing, publicity, consulting, and virtually whatever other service or help an independent musician might need. It’s almost like a “support system” for artists figuring out how to tell their story, navigate the music industry, and do it all in a way that’s strategic, smart, and sticks to their own principles and values.

What sets No Earbuds apart is that I don’t chase trends—I help artists build long-term, authentic careers. I bring over 15 years of experience across major and indie labels, but the turning point for me came when I was laid off back in 2018. After pouring everything into a company that let me go in a 10-minute Starbucks meeting, I realized I could never give that kind of loyalty to someone else’s bottom line again. So I bet on myself. I started No Earbuds not just to work in music—but to change how we support artists across the board.

The first year or so was totally chaotic. I said yes to everything, undercharged for my work, and nearly burned out. I had no clue what I was doing when it came to running a business; I just knew how to find music I loved and share that with other people. It took a bit to really get clear on what I wanted to build and how to sustain it, and I’m still learning but I’ve gotten much better at protecting my time and energy, as well as choosing projects that align more directly with my mission and ethos.

I want people to know that No Earbuds isn’t just a business—it’s a dedication to doing things differently.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
FOOD: Breakfast burrito at Chano’s in Lincoln Heights, a pink-wrapped sandwich from the gods at Roma Market, the McSatan from Evil Tacos in El Sereno, pepperoni and ricotta pie from Pizzanista.

HANGS: Bring the kids to the Santa Anita Mall for multiple playgrounds/play-places. A gig at the Echo. Supplies from LA Kush. A drive up the Angeles Crest for stargazing or snow, depending on the season. Esquite and a walk down Santee Alley. Fly kites at the Korean Bell of Friendship.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Juan, sat across from me at an Olive Garden a few months post-layoff and helped me realize I could do this for real. He’s the one who thought I should use the name No Earbuds, and he’s been there with me for every milestone and heartbreak I’ve had over the last nineteen years. Words will always fail to express my gratitude and deep love.

Dan Campbell, vocalist of The Wonder Years, texted me the day I was laid off and told me I should start my own business. He also wanted to hire me to work on their new album. That belief in me and what I could do, before I knew I could, meant the world to me.

Tim Zahodski is a friend and artist manager who I have worked with on and off for years. He told me ages ago that I should try to be a manager, and has always said I do way more work than a typical publicist normally does. Over the years he has been right there by my side championing my every move and helping when I need an extra set of ears/eyes on anything. He helped me realize I could actually be a manager, and that there’s value in what I’ve created with No Earbuds.

Website: https://noearbuds.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/noearbuds

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-coletta-b41ba527/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/noearbuds

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558933877770