INTERVIEW: ADAM DRZYZGA (FROSTBELT ENTERTAINMENT)

Adam Drzyzga – Frostbelt Entertainment

If you’re part of the Buffalo or Rochester heavy music communities, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve been seeing the name FROSTBELT ENTERTAINMENT come up A LOT lately. We decided to get to the bottom of it by tracking down owner/operator/promoter, Adam Drzyzga, and capturing his words of wisdom…

1. A lot of people out there know who Adam is, but there are still many people in the dark on where you came from and more specifically, where Frostbelt Entertainment came from. For those not in the know, give us your scene history if you will. Talk about every musical project you’ve ever been a part of in chronological order.

Frostbelt Entertainment was born in November 2022 – so we’re brand-new. The reason I jumped into promoting goes back to a show from October 2021. I saw a band in Wooster, Ohio called “The Dead Don’t Sleep.” The band is from Columbus, Ohio. I befriended the band and reached out to different promoters in Buffalo to get them to play up here. After no success – I took the matters into my own hands. They headlined my first show in November 2022. It was a blast! Also – shoutout to Greg from FTMP Events for helping me along the way.

2. How did you first come to start up Frostbelt Entertainment? Following that up, what’s the story behind the name? Is it just a reference to the weather around here, or is there another story?

I’ve been using this name for different projects the past decade. My photography name is also called “Frostbelt Photography.” When it comes to promoting – we are not limited to this area BUT we focus mostly on bands in the Midwest and Northeast.

3. Do you play any instruments?

I play guitar and have an instrumental project called “Ausländer.” Nobody really listens to it but you can find my music on all streaming platforms.

4. Talk about the first music you remember hearing as a kid and how it struck you.

Well – my first cassette was Alanis Morissette “Jagged Little Pill.” My first concert was Injected – I first discovered them on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball. My first CD was Jay Z “Hard Knock Life Volume 2.” I was all over the place and I still am. In 2001 – that’s when I started getting into pop punk. My first Warped Tour was at LaSalle Park in Buffalo. It was 2002. I was a huge Good Charlotte fan. By 2004 – I was really into bands like Evergreen Terrace. Bury Your Dead. Terror. And that kind of snowballed into where we are today.

5. Now talk about some bands who have come out in the past 10 years who have really struck a chord with you. Why do they stand out? Drop names of local bands if this calls for it.

I’ll drop a shameless plug for my friends here. Until I Wake (from Buffalo, NY) is a solid metalcore band. Great dudes. They know how to advertise themselves and that caught the eye of Fearless Records. They just announced their first headline tour. I love those boys.

6. Talk about some of Frostbelt Entertainment’s early accomplishments.

Let’s do another interview in a year and come back to this question! We have a lot planned for 2023 (smiles)!

7. What are some things you have on deck for your company? Anything you’re prepared to divulge? What can we expect going forward?

A lot of stuff going on behind the scenes but… May 6th, 2023. Evening Star Concert Hall. We’ve got Perspectives (Rochester), Without The Accent (Baltimore), Alterist (Buffalo), The Dead Don’t Sleep (Columbus) and An Easy Death (Rochester). Come party! Going forward – expect more opportunities for smaller bands to play in front of big crowds (hopefully sold out). We are trying to build a badass atmosphere at shows that will attract people.

8. What’s it been like growing your brand in today’s wild west esque internet age?

I love it, personally. 3 months ago I was making a logo and today we’re printing t-shirts & have a street team that consists of about 20 people. We are still a baby – but we’re growing and having a great time doing it. The whole process of building a brand is a blast to me.

9. Plug your whole online presence below. Where can we find you?

Instagram: FrostbeltEntertainment

Facebook: Frostbelt Entertainment

10. I’ve seen you doing a ‘band of the day’ on your socials. Now that you’ve done a lot of research on the local talent, who are some of your favorite WNY bands right now?

I have so much fun posting the band of the day. I think the fans of Frostbelt look forward to it at this point. There is so much talent in WNY. There’s so much talent in NY in general. But if I had to narrow it down to WNY – shoutout to my dudes in Perspectives, An Easy Death & Alterist. They are playing Frostbelt’s May 6th show.

11. Talk about the most memorable shows you’ve ever promoted yourself, OR just attended. What made these events so special?

I’ve only promoted one show so far – so that will stick with me forever. Shoutout to my homies in Dread Engine / The Muckrakers / Without The Accent / The Dead Don’t Sleep / Digital Afterlife – love those dudes. Memorable shows would include Def Leppard. Metallica. The nostalgia makes it special. “Animal” from Def Leppard is one of my favorite songs ever. Hearing that live was… I don’t know. I put my phone down and just took it all in.