-
10 Questions with ... David Jacobs
January 5, 2016
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I grew up in the business and had my first internship when I was 15 working for Dexter Holland at Nitro Records. After several internships and a Business Degree from USC, I took a job answering phones & doing marketing for an indie label called Rocket Science in LA. After a year and a half at Rocket Science I spent the next three years in my first Promotion job at Fearless Records based in Huntington Beach. From there I got the call to move up to a major and spent 2014 at Epic Records as their National Director Of Rock & Alternative Promotion. After Epic, I began 2015 working as an indie and spearheaded campaigns for The Offspring and FIDLAR the first quarter of the year. In April I began working with Gary Gorman at Atlantic Records helping out on all of their Alternative efforts for 6 months. When my deal ended with Atlantic, I began speaking with Mom + Pop Music who I had done FIDLAR with, and I was adopted into the Mom + Pop family at the beginning of October 2015.
1. Congrats on your new gig! What led you to Mom+Pop Music?
I have always been a fan of the artist roster at Mom + Pop long before I started to work with them, so I was already well aware of the great music they had. A friend and close business associate who was aware of my situation at Epic suggested I meet with Michael Goldstone about some opportunities to help them out on radio projects in 2015. I had a meeting with Goldie in December 2014 at their offices in NYC and we really hit it off. I met with Mom + Pop Co-President Thaddeus Rudd in early 2015, and we decided to try working together on a FIDLAR single "40oz On Repeat." I loved the experience, working hand in hand with Thaddeus and the Mom + Pop team that our talks continued well into my time with Atlantic. When my work with Atlantic was finished, Mom + Pop had made the decision to hire a full time promotion person, approached me with an offer, and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. You mentioned when you got the job that Mom + Pop is an artist-first label. Explain.
I say that Mom + Pop is an artist-first and very artist friendly label because we work so closely and directly with our artists on a personal level and with their teams to ensure that we develop common goals and craft plans to achieve those goals together. Whether you are an artist signing to our label or a new employee joining our ranks, you really feel part of a family here. We also do not have the work load of a major label which really allows us to dive in to our records and give them the proper set up and attention that they deserve.
3. Who is on the Mom + Pop roster?
Our current artist roster includes: Flume, Courtney Barnett, FIDLAR, Ingrid Michaelson, Neon Indian, Lucius, DMA's, Jagwar Ma, Hinds, Polica, Wild Cub, Bayonne, and more. What I love so much about our roster is the diversity of the music sonically as well as geographically featuring artists from all genres and from all parts of the world.
4. Tell us about the Mom + Pop team in New York City.
The team in NYC is an incredibly capable and tight-knit group of about 10 employees. Goldie and Thaddeus are our fearless leaders overseeing every single aspect of the company. We have an amazing digital & marketing team that includes Hallie Anderson, Jessica Page, Julia Rich, Suzanna Slavin, Julia Willinger, Sean Stamler & Morgan Schaffner. This team will continue to grow in the new year.
5. What may surprise people to learn about the label?
That Mom + Pop is home to some of your favorite bands you already know and love! It's amazing to hear how many people have told me one of their absolute favorite artists is on Mom + Pop. Even though we are considered an indie label, we are running on a competitive level with all major labels. We have artists that are nominated for Grammy's (Courtney Barnett is nominated for Best New Artist this year), can sell records (Courtney Barnett's debut effort this year is nearing in on 100,000 albums sold and Flume's last record has sold 500,000 tracks). All our artists have an established touring base (most artists on our roster can do a few thousand tickets in nearly all major markets without airplay), artists that are on the festival circuit (2016 will be a big festival year for our artist roster at spring/summer festivals), we have major press and TV on all of our acts including major music publications and late-night TV. Every band I will be taking to radio will have the "story" that programmers ask for, these are well developed acts that have strategically formulated marketing plans and the bands we decide to take to radio are carefully chosen.
6. After working at major and indie labels, what do you like about working at independent label?
I am allowed to have fun! In all seriousness though, both are unique experiences that offer many advantages and disadvantages in regards to doing promotion. First and foremost for me at an indie is the ability to have my voice heard and be a part of A&R conversations, tour planning, marketing, and sales. I am not compartmentalized at an indie and the communication process is much more streamlined at this level. Also, my travel budgets have opened up significantly here at Mom + Pop compared to my time at majors, which is crucial for building truly meaningful relationships with radio
7. How would you describe your style as a record promoter?
Passionate, persistent, honest, and friendly. I tend to keep a very upbeat and positive attitude because at the end of the day I believe I have the coolest job in the world. No matter how stressful the gig can get at times, I always remind myself that I get to promote music that I love and work with some of the most interesting people while traveling the country and seeing live music...... and man that sure beats selling furniture or electronics in my book!
8. What does Mom + Pop have coming up for Alternative Radio in 2016?
Our first priority for 2016 is an incredible band called Lucius with their lead single "Born Again Teen." Myself and the RED staff have been out there setting this one up and it has been getting great early reaction and airplay. Later in the year we will be taking an Australian act, DMA's, to Alternative with their single "Lay Down" which the lovely crew at CD102.5 jumped on recently! As I said we are very selective with the acts we take to radio and we will have more for Alternative in 2016, but those are the first two acts we are coming out with as of now.
9. You were fortunate to learn the business at such a young age growing up in the business with your dad (Mike Jacobs). What has been your biggest takeaway?
Honesty and telling the truth above everything. People may not like the answer you give them at times, but as long as you are truthful and honest they will respect you for that. Also, to have patience.....something my old man is not well versed in!
10. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time in L.A.?
Concerts....it's more than a job for me, it really is a lifestyle and chances are you can find me at a show on the weekends, going to the movies, skateboarding, running, enjoying the consistent 75 degree weather L.A. offers, and spending as much time with my friends and family as possible.
Bonus Questions
What music are you listening to away from work?
On any given day you may hear Motorhead, Miles Davis, The Meters, Grouplove, Bone Thugs N Harmony, MC5, The Beatles, Run The Jewels, The Specials, NOFX, Smokey Robinson or The Clash pouring out of my car windows driving down PCH....
-
-