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10 Questions with ... David Jacobs
May 15, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started helping around my Dad's (Mike Jacobs) record label Way Cool Music when I was 10 years old and by the time I got into high school I was interning at Nitro Records. After a year at Nitro I interned at Rebel Waltz Management for about a year and then studied Business at USC. My senior year of college I interned at Rocket Science and was hired on in the Marketing department. After a year at Rocket Science, I was hired on to develop the Radio department at Fearless Records where I have currently been for about a year.
1. How did you become interested in the record business?
My dad (Mike Jacobs) is best known as a radio promoter and helped run a couple of labels (Way Cool Music/MCA & Trauma Records) and he was on the road for most of my childhood. In order to see him I went on the road with bands like Offspring, No Doubt, Rancid, Green Day, Blink 182, Bush and others for most of my childhood. That experience of being on the road, seeing music constantly, and all the music business characters I encountered as a kid had a huge impact on me. I absolutely love music, and they say do what you love right? So I decided to try my luck...plus I don't have to wear a suit or cut my hair to work in this business!
2. What excited you most about joining Fearless Records?
The most exciting part about Fearless was the location of the label (I can look at the ocean from our office!), the friendly and creative staff, and the amazing artist roster we have. There are dozens of bands such as At The Drive In, Plain White T's, Portugal. The Man, Sugarcult, etc. that I have always been a fan of that came from Fearless and the newer artists such as Breathe Carolina, Go Radio, Motionless In White, The Static Jacks, and the opportunity to work with established acts such as Eve 6 and Lostprophets made this decision to join Fearless incredibly easy and very exciting.
3. What may surprise people the most about the label?
The diversity of our artist roster! We have nearly all genres of music represented in our current acts and I love that we have everything from Post-Hardcore bands to Pop bands on Fearless.
4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?
Turning a NO into a YES.
5. What is the toughest part of your job?
Turning a NO into a YES.
6. What is most important to you when working a song to alternative radio?
Being passionate about the song I am working. It is incredibly difficult to convince someone they should play my record if I don't believe in it. If I don't care about my record, why should they?
7. What is your favorite market to visit and why?
New York (even though there is no Alt. station there...what a tragedy!). The city, the people, the history, the great food, I love all of it!
8. What would surprise people most about you?
That I graduated from USC with a Business degree, I mean look at my picture, can you believe they let ME graduate from there?
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Mountain Dew
10. What is it like working in the same office with your Dad?
Honestly it is an absolutely amazing experience. We fight about things a lot, but I get to learn firsthand from one of the best radio promoters how the game works and I couldn't ask for a better mentor because he shoots me straight, no bullshit (shocking if you know my Dad at all, right?!)
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Skateboarding, concerts, playing guitar, hanging with friends, and sleep (which I never get enough of!)
Last non-industry job?
Wait, there are industries besides the music business?
First record ever purchased?
Denis Leary's No Cure For Cancer..."I'm An Asshole" was the only thing that would calm me down as a kid!
First concert?
Prince, a month before I was born, I was groovin in the womb!
Favorite band of all-time?
Like everyone says that answers this question....it's impossible to answer, but I would have to say The Beatles if you forced me to pick just one.
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