Our Mission
Cause Concerts is a group of music professionals and artists using curated live events, unique content, and personalized merchandise to drive positive and measurable changes in our community. We view music as “Art.” Art serves the public interest by creating economies surrounding it, but often those economies are not equal, and too few artists can sustain a living from their art.
Ars Longa, vita brevis.
Life is short, art long.
-Hippocrates
Areas of Focus
Supporting a sustainable living wage for artists and music industry workers by advocating for pay equity
Promoting the well-being of the industry through the lenses of health care for all, mental health, harm reduction, sobriety, or wellness support
Working in partnership with the City and County of Los Angeles and California State to build affordable housing, artist colonies, and free concert events to boost music tourism
Support affordable/low-cost, or free media for all, from public radio to concert events
Purposeful, common-sense gun control legislation aimed at reducing festival or concert incidents.
Our Team
Erik Koral
Erik Koral is a Los Angeles native and 25+ year veteran of the music business. Erik has run several marketing companies / consultancies including FanManager, Koral Young Group, and Koral Marketing, working with over 150 artists, entertainers, labels, and events such as; Depeche Mode, Shakira, Phish, The Doors, The Black Eyed Peas, CJ Entertainment, Epic Records, etc. One of the most impactful things Erik ever heard was actor and entrepreneur Danny Trejo saying “Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else,” which is in relation to Danny helping others in recovery. The most meaningful work for Erik came in 2025 getting the opportunity to help in fire recovery efforts for the Pacific Palisades and Altadena Fires with the Musicians for Fire Relief benefit with many of his colleagues and musical heroes joining together to respond to a crisis. Erik and his partner Shelly have now formed Cause Concerts to continue producing events with a charitable mission and purpose.
Co-Founder / Marketing Specialist
Shelly Hartman
Shelly is a huge lover of all genres of music, having personally attended thousands of concerts to see her favorite artists over her 30+ years in the music industry, which include Nine Inch Nails, Daft Punk, The Cure, DJ Shadow, Kendrick Lamar, George Harrison, Metallica, and Bob Marley. Her daily playlist skips from metal to electronic, jazz to rap. She’s also a percussionist, although not a very good one, and hence, she found her passion on the marketing and sales side of the business.
Shelly was inspired to see change in her industry through working for the benefit of others. Mentorship of others in the music industry has long been a passion of hers, so joining a group of like-minded people made sense. With long-term goals to include launching her own merch company, she also a dog mom, and a lover of yoga, geology and reading. She’s even been on a few game shows and dreams of finding her own buried treasure.
Co-Founder / Talent Relations
Cat B. Smith
My Project Manager duties for Cause Concerts range from e-Commerce, merch design, email marketing, and auction commerce management. My professional background as a UI/UX Designer & an eCommerce Specialist with a Bachelor's in IxD, aligned well with Cause Concert’s needs. I am very passionate about music, and recognize the importance of music as a sacred tool for enlightenment - and the center of a healthy community. I love ALL music, if it’s good! From jazz, classical, psychedelic jam, rock and roll, 80s, 70s, 60s, 50s, new wave, pop, musicals, rap, R&B, putumayo, disco, funk… You name it, I like it. Right now, some top favorites are: ALO, SCI, Beck, The New Mastersounds, Karl Denson, Phish, Janelle Monet, Grateful Dead, Billy Strings, and local bands, Suns of Stars, and Clouds of Delusion. I enjoy hiking with my dog, playing with my kitties, gardening for pollinators, and seeing live music with friends.
Project Manager / Tech
Sofia Solano
Sofia Solano, a passionate multi-instrumentalist and advocate for music's unifying power, was born in Managua, Nicaragua, and has lived in three countries, shaping her global perspective. She is dedicated to creating, performing, and sharing music. Sofia believes music is a force that bridges divides and fosters community. Beyond her artistic work, Sofia is a certified mediator. These skills inform her collaborative approach, her communication style, and her ability to navigate creative environments with empathy and clarity. She brings this perspective to her work with Cause Concerts, contributing to partnership development, event support, and community-focused initiatives.Currently a college student studying music with a focus on vocal performance, Sofia is committed to using both her artistic and interpersonal skills to uplift others. Her mission is to inspire, create connection, and champion the transformative power of the arts—reminding people that music is a healer that unites us all in a shared human experience.
Project Manager / Social Media Specialist
Jacob Tell
Jacob Tell is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur, creative strategist, and producer who builds thriving communities and bold brands at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and consciousness.
With an educational background in film and politics, Jacob seeks world-changing solutions for positive and creative people. He carries with him a deep appreciation for nature and a hopeful vision for the future of human ecology. Jacob actively supports forward-thinking environmental and political leaders and aims to further meld the realms of artistry and science.
As the visionary behind Oniracom, LoDo Studios, and District216 he brings people together through shared values, immersive experiences, and transformative narratives. Whether shaping psychedelic culture or guiding companies to authentic growth, Jacob aligns purpose with impact—fostering connection, innovation, and possibility.
Marketing & Business Development