10 Questions with ... Joe Guzik

NAME:Joe Guzik TITLE:VP/Alternative & Rock Promotion RECORD COMPANY:Columbia Records BORN:New York RAISED:New Jersey

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Roadrunner Records 1997-2000; Columbia 2000 - Present.

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

Cover band guitarist

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Def Leppard - Pyromania

FIRST CONCERT:

Metallica

FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:

Toss up between Police and Queen

1. What got you interested in the record business?

I wanted to be in a successful rock band. I realized early on the business side of the band was my calling.

2. What was the first record you worked to radio and what has been the biggest change since you began doing radio promotion?

My first successful single was Slipknot's "Wait and Bleed." The energy created when a band starts to break is amazing. I've gotten up every morning since trying to help my artists realize that vision. The landscape has drastically transformed since then, but at its essence promotion and marketing of any artists is still the same. It's only the tools and scale that have changed.

3. What can Alternative radio expect this year from Columbia Records?

2008 looks to be an exciting year at Columbia, a mix of superstar artists like Offspring and fresh new sounds like MGMT and Metro Station. I'm thrilled with the response we are receiving on MGMT. They are a new artist that we have been developing for some time now. In early January we shipped their song "Time To Pretend" to alternative specialty shows. It created such a natural buzz than within a few days, we were blessed with KROQ kiss! If you haven't seen their video yet, you must log onto imeem.com. I guarantee that you have not seen anything this original in years. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Coheed And Cambria's new track "Feathers," it's in my opinion their best song to date and I can't wait for the public to hear it. I think we have a special career defining track.

4. What do you like best about your job? Worst?

The best part without a doubt is being an integral part of the team that introduces new artists to the public. When a vision for an artist starts to happen you can't but help loving your job. I always try to keep a positive mental focus, so I don't spend time thinking about the worst, sorry.

5. What would surprise people most about you?

That I enjoy opera and I closely follow politics, and the financial markets.

6. What music do you listen to when you're not working?

Indie and Hip-Hop, mostly.

7. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?

Spending a few minutes contemplating how I can be a better exec and overall human being tomorrow.

8. What is your favorite radio station and why?

I'm a student of politics, so I say I love all my stations!

9. Biggest career highlight?

Each day is about being better than the last. So many highlights, but the biggest are still ahead.

10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

Politics or Wall Street

What are your hobbies?

Reading, weight lifting, ice hockey, chess, and poker.