Stephen Finfer
Stephen Finfer is a Music Publisher, Manager, Attorney, Television Producer and Business Executive whose clients have included Kara DioGuardi,[1] Scott Storch, Selena Quintanilla, Emanuel Kiriakou, David Hodges, Greg Wells, Mitch Allan and Kasia Livingston. Having previously operated his own law firm and management company, Stephen Finfer aided Dr. Dre and Master P in establishing their respective record labels, Death Row Records and No Limit Records. Together with business partner DioGuardi he formed and currently operates the boutique music publishing company, Arthouse Entertainment.[2]
Early life
Stephen Finfer was born and grew up in Long Island, NY and is a graduate of Brandeis University and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He began his career as an entertainment litigator at the law firm of Shea & Gould in Los Angeles, then moved on to operate his own law firm and management company, where his clients included Dr. Dre/Deathrow Records, Master P/No Limit Records, Capitol Records, Priority Records, LOUD Records, Justin Warfield, House of Pain/Everlast, and Selena Quintanilla. As a manager, Finfer's Deluxe Management banner represented such artists as Fleetwood Mac and Ian Astbury.[3] 000
Career
Management career
Stephen Finfer spent several years in the business affairs department of Capitol/EMI Music, before being appointed General Manager of MCA Music Publishing in January 1997. Thereafter, he served as Senior Director of Creative Affairs at Famous Music Publishing (a division of Paramount Pictures), where he was responsible for writer acquisitions.
In December 1999, Finfer was appointed General Manager run TVT Music's new publishing operation, where he had immediate successes by signing writer/producers such as Scott Storch (Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears) and Lil Jon (Usher, Pitbull, Ying Yang Twins).[4]
Arthouse Entertainment
In 2002, Stephen Finfer and his business partner, Kara DioGuardi established the music publishing and production company, Arthouse Entertainment. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Arthouse maintains a roster of clients are consistently represented in the pop charts and around the world in single and album releases.
In 2007, Arthouse Entertainment sold an equity interest in the company to Spectrum Equity/JPMorgan, and entered into an administration partnership with Bug Music, the largest independent contemporary music publisher in the World. In 2012 Arthouse Entertainment sold a portion of its music assets to Roundhill Music for an undisclosed sum. In August 2013, Arthouse entered into a funding and administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group. The company is enjoying current success with the Suspex and Jon Bellion.
Some of Arthouse’s biggest hits include, Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are”, and “Grenade”, Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You!”, Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It”, Darius Rucker’s “This”, Pink’s “Sober”, and B.o.B’s “Nothin' On You”.
The following is a partial list of artists on which Arthouse controls singles (production and writing):
| Arthouse Artists (partial list) |
|---|
| Bruno Mars |
| Katy Perry |
| Carrie Underwood |
| Cee Lo Green |
| Pink |
| Flo Rida |
| Britney Spears |
| The Jonas Brothers |
| Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus |
| Bad Meets Evil |
| Darius Rucker |
| Cobra Starship |
| Christina Aguilera |
| Snoop Dogg |
| B.o.B |
| OneRepublic |
| Travie McCoy |
| Kelly Clarkson |
| Gwen Stefani |
| Sugarland |
| Jessie James |
| Colbie Caillat |
| Theory of a Deadman |
| Red |
| Friday Night Boys |
| Mika |
| Hilary Duff |
| Ludacris |
| Flipsyde |
| Matisyahu |
| Sugababes |
| Lindsay Lohan |
| Santana |
| Big & Rich |
| Jewel |
| Katharine McPhee |
| The Pussycat Dolls |
| David Archuleta |
| Nick Lachey |
| Ballas Hough Band |
| Backstreet Boys |
| New Kids on the Block |
| Whitney Houston |
| Cassie |
| Ruben Studdard |
| Faith Hill |
| Belinda |
| Green Day |
Arthouse also has a joint venture record label with Warner Bros. Records, where it signs and releases its own artists. Artists signed to the Warner Bros. venture include Jason Derulo, Iyaz, Taylor Berrett, Jason Reeves, Neon Hitch, Brandyn Burnette, and Helena.
Film/TV
In addition to his successes in music publishing, Stephen Finfer also produces for Television. Finfer has signed on to produce various television projects including the forthcoming music-comedy series “Big In Japan” for USA Networks; and Bravo recently announced a deal with Arthouse Entertainment to produce a reality show focusing on the inner-workings of the company as it tracks the progressions of its writers and executives.
Furthermore, Finfer manages Kara DioGuardi, who was a judge on 2 seasons of AMERICAN IDOL, starred as head judge on Bravo’s “Platinum Hit”, and portrayed Roxie Heart in the Broadway rendition of CHICAGO.
Other Management
Contemporaneously, Stephen Finfer runs his own management company, representing artists and producers such as Kara DioGuardi, Mitch Allan, and Jeremy “JHawk” Hawkins. He also consults for various executives and entertainment companies, and renders creative services such as executive production and music supervision.