TRU ROCK REVIVAL
April 2024
RAQUEL FIGLO
FROM MUSIC JOURNALIST TO ENTREPRENEUR TO PUBLICIST
Personable. Passionate. Persistent.
Based in the Los Angeles area, Raquel Figlo started following her passions at 12 years old, when she began attending her favorite concerts. She wasn’t just a fangirl or a groupie–she was a family member of the rock and metal scene as if it was her birthright. Founding Raquel Figlo Public Relations and working with such bands was a natural next step in her career as an entrepreneur and publicist, having lived in the scene for decades already. In her 15 years of experience in the PR industry, Raquel has worked with clientele ranging from celebrities, musicians, brand creators, influencers, fashion designers, and non-profit companies. Each client is diverse but Raquel brings a commonality to them all: getting them the attention and press they deserve.
"My first concert was at Irvine Meadows. The show was Ugly Kid Joe and Def Leppard. That was where it all started. I went with my mom! I was in the 6th row. I was thinking "How do I get into this industry?" Back then, rock stars were untouchable. But, the universe listened. I would go to a lot of shows, meet the security, meet the people working the shows and eventually meet the bands. That is how it started."
~Raquel Figlo
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By Kreig Marks, April 2024
Kreig: Hi Raquel. Welcome to Tru Rock Revival Magazine. We've known each other for a few years now through Tru Rock and through your PR firm, Raquel Figlo Public Relations. We've had the pleasure to interview and promote several of the bands you represent. But, this is the first time we're actually getting together here to talk about you! You got your start several years ago as a music journalist. Do you feel it was a natural transition to go from journalist to becoming a very successful publicist?
Raquel: It was something I wanted to happen long ago, but you've got to be in the industry first. Being a music journalist helped me make the connections. I studied Communications at Cal State Fullerton and have a Master's Degree in Communications so I had the foundation, but being in the industry is where you learn and meet the people. I started as a music journalist for a print magazine called Rock 'n Roll Industries. I had the privilege to interview some huge bands like Megadeth. When that magazine closed, I focused more on making my PR agency fully on rock and metal. I had already been doing publicity for entertainment and lifestyle brands, so it was a natural transition for me.
Kreig: We should have you come on over to Asheville in August. We are hosting a big 2 day rock festival, Day of Rock 2 Festival. Thirty bands over 2 days. You should MC it!
Raquel: I love to travel! Where are you guys located? South Carolina?
Kreig: Actually, Asheville, North Carolina.
Raquel: If I'm able to I'd love to MC the festival.
Kreig: Let's keep in contact over the next several months. Maybe we can make this happen.
Raquel: That would be so cool!
Kreig: I'll definitely keep you looped in. For about 15 years now, you've been involved in the PR industry. What do you enjoy most about this and what do you feel is the most challenging part of being a publicist?
Raquel: Yeah, I started as the event manager on Sunset Boulevard at the Key Club. That opened up so many doors for me. I was the event manager, booking bands, and doing big events there. It was a big venue, equivalent to the Whisky A Go Go. I was going to shows, hanging out, and meeting people in the industry. I was building relationships from the start. You've got to be cool, and meet people. That's what I learned from the start. Building those relationships is key. I love being my bands cheerleader and doing whatever I can to promote them and get them as much exposure as possible. And, if someone new discovers them through my efforts, then I've done my job. The biggest challenge of being a publicist is there is not enough hours in a day to accomplish everything I need to get done! I truly love what I do- getting the bands exposure, and helping them get new fans!
Kreig: As a kid, you started going to rock concerts. Let's hear about your first concert and the most memorable one.
Raquel: My first concert was at Irvine Meadows. The show was Ugly Kid Joe and Def Leppard. That was where it all started. I went with my mom! I was in the 6th row. I was thinking "How do I get into this industry?" Back then, rock stars were untouchable. But, the universe listened. I would go to a lot of shows, meet the security, meet the people working the shows and eventually meet the bands. That is how it started.
Kreig: As a kid, some of my rock idols were Peter Frampton, Boston, Foreigner, KISS, Black Sabbath. Now, as an adult, I think back to my childhood and think, "damn, who would have thought that many years later I would have the privilege to meet most of them or to sit down and interview most. Do you have similar feelings when it comes to that?
Raquel: Oh yeah. 100%. I'm living my dream right now, doing PR and making money doing it. When I started writing for Rock 'n Roll Industries, I had the opportunity to interview many bands I grew up loving. And it paved the way to where I am now. I'll always be a fan girl deep down inside.
Kreig: As a former music journalist and now as a publicist, you have to be professional when you're talking to or meeting a rock artist or a potential high-profile client. Let's hear one of those moments when you just said, "fuck it" and went all fan-girl. I'll tell you mine.
Raquel: Lol. Who was yours?
Kreig: Lou Gramm from Foreigner. I told him I was going to go all fan-girl and he said, "Kreig, let it rip." We both had a good laugh.
Raquel: That's hysterical. For me, it's happened a few times. I met James Hetfield backstage, and I started telling him, "I saw you here, I saw you there, I saw you at this time......" I don't know why I started talking like that, Lol. It just came out. When I was in 6th grade, I discovered Megadeth and when I interviewed Dave Mustaine, I told him I loved him! How embarrassing? But he was super cool, Megadeth is my favorite band of all time!
Kreig: Have you ever had the opportunity to work with someone and you just thought, "man, this is just not going to be worth the aggravation." You don't have to give any names.
Raquel: Um, I've worked with some of the most controversial names in the industry who've had some allegations against them. But those were allegations, they weren't convicted, and if I believe in the artist, I'm going to work with them. If I believe in my client, I'm not afraid of the cancel culture.
Kreig: What do you think is the most important thing for a band you represent to do to help make your job easier?
Raquel: I work with some clients who help out by doing everything I tell them to do, which is fabulous. I tell them to fill out my questionnaire, which helps with the press release, and then they just need to make their music and post all the interviews I've helped them get. I make it easy for them. They just need to make the music and I'll make everything else happen.
Kreig: A ton of bands spend all their time and effort to get more "likes" on a song or a video. I know a lot of people who will get that request to "like" a band's song or their page and out of kindness, they'll click on that link, click like, but never even look at the video or listen to the song or even check out their page. What do you feel is more important, getting those likes or getting new, loyal fans to their shows?
Raquel: That's a hard one. Oh wow. This world is all about those likes, it should NOT be all about the likes. It should be about the content. Create the content, and get it out there. The important people who are watching are the ones who are going to go to the shows and buy the merch. I think continuously putting yourself out there and not putting so much effort into the likes and whatnot and putting out quality content and paying attention to the people who are paying attention to you is how you're going to build your loyal fanbase.
Kreig: Raquel, thanks for getting together here today. You're a hard-working woman and very good at what you do. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
Raquel: Bands should look for someone as passionate about their music as they are. Metal and Rock is my LIFE! If you need a publicist reach out to me, I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Ask me anything, I am here to help.