Bridging Beats & Business: How Team Tomorrow is Building a Sustainable Creative Economy in the South Sound
When Christen Greene moved to Olympia in 2021, she wasn’t just returning to her musical roots—she was planting new ones. A longtime artist manager with clients like The Lumineers and Andrea Gibson under her belt, Christen brought a career’s worth of industry experience to the South Sound. What she saw was potential: a vibrant music scene that deserved support, structure, and sustainability.
That vision became Team Tomorrow, a creative company with a mission to preserve and expand Olympia’s music legacy. Its flagship event, the South Sound Block Party, is a mid-size, waterfront music festival featuring local and national talent. But it’s not just about the show—it’s about creating paid opportunities for local artists, stagehands, vendors, photographers, and small businesses.
“We’re building an ecosystem where local creatives can get exposure, build credibility, and get paid.” — Christen Greene
In the fall, that mission continues with the South Sound Music Summit—a professional development event focused on music industry education, business skills, and workforce connections.
“If the festival is the memory-maker,” Christen explains, “the summit is the blueprint.”
What makes the Summit stand out is its dual focus: it’s part inspiration, part infrastructure. Emerging artists gain access to seasoned professionals, one-on-one mentorship, and networking opportunities that help bridge the gap between passion and profit. It’s also a place where community partners, like the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC), step in to amplify the mission.
“The EDC has been incredible,” Christen says. “Not just with sponsorship, but by showing up, connecting with attendees, and providing real resources. I know for a fact that dozens of creatives have followed up with them to build the business side of their careers.”
That business-first mindset is something Christen champions. She’s a graduate of the EDC’s ScaleUP program, which helped her refine strategy, cash flow, and scalability.
“If you want a sustainable music career, you need to treat it like a business. That means contracts, taxes, budgets—the whole ecosystem. We bring those conversations to the Summit so people can figure out where they fit.”
The impact is tangible. Paid live music events not only support local creatives—they generate economic activity. A 2020 NIVA study found that for every $1 spent on a concert ticket, an additional $12 is spent in the surrounding community. In a city like Olympia, where dollars tend to stay local, that ripple effect is real.
Team Tomorrow’s next big event is the South Sound Block Party on August 22–23 at the Port of Olympia, featuring acts like Bratmobile, L7, Thunderpussy, Team Dresch, and The Carlile Family Band. With growing support from sponsors like Western Washington Toyota Dealers and Olympia Vodka, the event continues to grow in reach and impact.
And for anyone wondering if it’s worth reaching out to the EDC for support? Christen’s advice is simple:
“Just reach out. Set up a meeting. They’re here to help.”
👉 To learn more about Team Tomorrow, volunteer, or get involved, visit:
- Website: www.southsoundblockparty.com
- Instagram: @southsoundblockparty
- Facebook: facebook.com/SouthSoundBlockParty
- Facebook Event: RSVP here