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10 Questions with ... Mike Popadines
October 24, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Professional Writing in 2010, where I spent four awesome years at the college radio station (88.3 FM KUR) as President and Promotions Director. Started out as a board operator for Rock 101.9 WRXP/New York in 2011, and did some light production, voiceover, and street team work until the station flipped in the summer of 2012. Stuck around for FM News 101.9 WEMP as an overnight producer and writer, until leaving in December 2012 for Music Choice. Came onboard as a Programming Assistant, then Programming Coordinator, and now I've been an Associate Manager for about two years for Music Choice Adult Alternative, Music Choice Dance, & Music Choice Indie (among other channels).
1. How did you become interested in the music business?
I wanted to do some sort of on-air work from an early age. I loved radio, I loved TV, and I loved movies as a kid (still do, obviously). It wasn't until I was around 17 or 18 that I really thought about a career and what I wanted to do. Music became a huge part of my life and who I was during my senior year of high school, and I was discovering so many new, exciting bands that really made me think. I wanted to share what I was listening to with more and more people. I thought I could maybe write about music and find work at a magazine or a blog, but once I joined my college's radio station, I got bit by the bug. I knew this was the way to go, and that this was what I wanted to do.
2. What led you to Music Choice six years ago?
I've been a fan of the Music Choice brand since my parents bought a premium cable TV package in the mid-2000's. In college, one of my best friends/college radio co-hosts and I would watch channels like Alternative and Retroactive (now Classic Alternative) to hear obscure artists and bands to play on our show. I always thought it would be great to work here, but it seemed like a pipedream. Luckily, an old co-worker and friend from WRXP reached out to me after the station flipped and told me she was at Music Choice, and that the Programming department was looking for a hungry assistant with a background in indie music. I did some more research on the company, and everything checked out. I was sold, and I wanted the gig. I was fortunate enough to land it.
3. What does everyone need to know about Music Choice's multi-platform music and video network?
I think everyone needs to know how accessible we are. We are literally everywhere - on cable, on the web, we have a great app - and we're completely commercial free. We're a small team, but we wear many hats. We make sure the best possible content, whether it's a world premiere song or a brand new music video, is available to our consumers immediately. But I think the most important thing to know is that the programmers here are not robots - we don't use algorithms, and we don't just plug and play from a chart. We're real, die-hard music lovers here, and a lot of what we play is from the gut, so this is an extremely human and passionate experience.
4. You recently added Alternative to the stations you program. What is your favorite part of your job?
It's probably been meeting (and re-meeting) a bunch of really smart and really talented industry folks. Whether they're label reps, promo experts, on air talents, and of course, the artists themselves - everyone has an interesting story to tell, and I love a good story (especially when it relates to music). I get a lot of great perspective from people who have been in the industry way longer than me, and I respect their commitment to the business and take what they say to heart. I think we all need each other to provide music fans with a great experience; and for me, it's about learning as much as I can, hearing the best artists, and trusting those around me to help me build a great channel.
5. What are your responsibilities at Music Choice?
I oversee the daily programming of approximately 10 audio channels, 3 video channels, the Alternative offering on Video On-Demand, and original content on connected devices. I also lead a handful of specialty programs across all our platforms throughout the calendar year. Other important responsibilities include leading several internal meetings, and acting as a liaison between Engineering and Programming. I try to be the most versatile utility team player I can be.
6. How would you describe the Alternative channel?
The Alternative channel is a mix of the hits of today, the great songs that helped define the modern genre, and the new sounds that are helping push the format in different and exciting directions. It's been fun to inject the channel with some more of the more underground and college sounds that I've been really digging for a while now. Music discovery is a major part of my goals for the channel, because showcasing newer acts and allowing them to share space with the major players of the format is creating a really compelling listening experience. And maybe it'll inspire listeners in some great ways, too.
7. Tell us about your weekly music meeting for Alternative and what is most important to you when making decisions on new music?
For me, the first thing I think about is, "does this sound good?" A great song is a great song. And just because an established artist or band puts out a new record, it doesn't mean that it's a hit. Everyone needs to continue to earn their stripes to make it onto the channel; no free passes based on reputation. Of course charts, sales, and streaming numbers play an important role. Without research, it would not be easy to program a great channel. Also, I like to think I'm a pretty organized guy, so I gather as much information as I can on a release, throw it into Excel, and really analyze all the pieces of data that comes with a release. I toss around songs to different co-workers in the office for their take, and we have some spirited debates. In the end, I figure out what I can move on, and what I can't; what I can spin in Power, and what I can test in Flavor; and what makes sense for the general sound and style of the channel. I want to be on the cutting edge, but I also want to play the hits of the format that will please my central audience. Like life, it's all about balance.
8. What is the most challenging part of the job?
I would say it's the juggling act of leading several different formats and leading internal projects. I really need to break up my day, hour by hour, and focus on meeting the highest priorities first. A lot of times I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. It's a work in progress. I challenge myself to hit all my deadlines and get back to everyone on all their wants and needs, but I still need to remind myself about what's most important: the content. Content is king, and when I can balance out my day, or week, or month, or quarter and really knock out some great programming, then everything else seems to fall in place.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Coffee and good music!
10. What would surprise people most about you?
I'm a twin! And my twin brother has a knack for predicting trends in pop music from miles away (maybe stronger than me). I think he'd make a pretty great programmer, himself.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
Busy! I hate sitting around and thinking about what to do, or what I could be doing. I like to plan ahead and try to get the most out of my weekends. Whether I'm traveling out of town to meet up with friends and family, or going to the gym and being active in my own neighborhood, I always need to be doing something (and preferably something fun). And live music, without a doubt. A weekend without some sort of live music experience is a bust.
Favorite sports teams?
The New York Yankees and New York Rangers, and then sadly, New York Giants and New York Knicks.
First record ever purchased?
The Batman Forever soundtrack at a garage sale. Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" is still one of the best soundtrack tunes ever. I was 7 and it was the '90s, what do you expect?!
First concert?
Big D & The Kids Table & Catch-22 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ in the summer of 2006. I did a lot of sports in high school and didn't get around to going to shows until I graduated. Also, I still love my New Jersey ska scene.
Favorite band of all-time?
This is a loaded question - and it's a tie: R.E.M. and The Replacements.
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