TJO Presents began much like many modern independent ventures: in a dorm room in 2006, with a simple frustration and a clear idea that things could be done better.
Starting out as TM Promotions in 2006, Olsen and his then university roommate, found themselves frustrated by the live music opportunities many of their friends in emerging bands were being offered. Rather than simply critique the system, they built an alternative. they began producing and promoting shows of their own, booking TM Promotions’s first event at the now-shuttered Midtown megaclub Rebel before expanding into respected New York venues including Maxwell’s, The Knitting Factory, and Bowery Poetry Club.
Even in those early days, the pace was ambitious. While still a student, Olsen was curating as many as twelve events per month, establishing the hands-on work ethic and attention to detail that would later define TJO Presents.
From Promoter To artist Partner
Following his graduation in 2009 Olsen began operating as TJO Presents. He continued producing shows across New York’s independent music scene. As relationships with artists deepened, the work naturally expanded beyond single events. What began as booking gigs evolved into tour routing, release strategy, and artist consultation, forming the foundation of the modern TJO Presents model.
Today, TJO Presents operates as a flexible artist-services, venue services and consultancy focused on thoughtful live event curation and long-term artist development.
Services include tour booking, showcase curation, artist DEVELOPMENT, marketing strategy, release planning and industry partnerships.
The philosophy is simple: work closely with a focused roster of artists and projects, ensuring each receives meaningful support and opportunities within the broader music ecosystem.
“It’s as simple as that,” says Olsen. “By working only with projects we truly believe in and being selective about what we take on, we’re able to deliver a better experience for everyone involved: the artists, the venues, and the audience.”
Building Independent Music Communities
Alongside his work with artists, Olsen has spent much of his career helping build and shape live music spaces themselves.
He played a key role in developing programming for multiple New York venues and later became a partner and co-owner of the Brooklyn venue Project Parlor, where he helped establish a highly curated events program spanning live music, arts programming, and community gatherings.
Most recently, Olsen served as part of the team behind the launch of Bar Freda in Ridgewood, Queens, where he is a managing partner and talent buyer. Since opening, Bar Freda has quickly become a hub for the borough’s independent music and arts communities, hosting touring artists, emerging local bands, and genre-spanning programming several nights each week.
Through these projects, Olsen has helped book hundreds of artists across genres, building a network that connects musicians, venues, promoters, and creative communities throughout New York and beyond.
Whether booking a national tour, curating a multi-artist showcase, or helping shape a venue’s programming from the ground up, the goal remains the same:
Connect great artists with great audiences and build the spaces where those moments can happen.