-
10 Questions with ... J Scavo
April 29, 2008
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:J ScavoTITLE:GMRECORD COMPANY:MySpace RecordsBORN:2/27/1969 in Whittier, CARAISED:in Dana Point, CA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in music as a failed drummer in high school. At UCLA, I was the guy who reviewed all the unsigned stuff at the college station that (literally) no one listened to. I interned at Island and BMG and finally ended up with a gig at BMG (Alternative Music Guy for the western region). I left that to manage bands; because I thought I knew more than everyone else (I was totally wrong). After seven years managing, I went to Hollywood Records to start their Artist Development department; I later took on Product Managing as well. After six great years, I came to work for the Tom at MySpace Records.
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Expresso Technician at UCLA
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Pink Floyd - The Wall or Paul McCartney And Wings on 8 Track
FIRST CONCERT:
CSN&Y - Irvine Meadows
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Tough... Zeppelin or Jawbreaker
1. What got you interested in the record business?
I didn't want to have to get a real job.
2. What led you to MySpace Records?
That's easy. MySpace has endless potential which is something that is refreshing in the often staid music biz. For instance, when I came here there was nothing like the ad-supported free Pennywise album we just did; that offering specifically was in my wish-list but there was no model for it until we created one. To stay competitive, we will keep pulling results out from the vast opportunities that surround us here at MySpace.
3. Give us a little background on the label and your day-to-day duties?
The label was started by Tom Anderson back in 2005 but didn't see much activity until Jon Pikus (Head of A+R) and I came on board in mid-2006. When I got here in September, Jon and Tom were speaking to Sherwood and Kate Voegele (our first two releases) but hadn't signed them yet. Back then, Jon and I did everything for three months and we have slowly hired up to the current eight person staff since.
As we are such a small company, everyday is different for every one of us because we all wear so many hats. For instance, I am the point person for, among other things: Radio, International, Branding, Music Placements, HR, Finance, Business Affairs, etc... additionally, we all contribute and collaborate on marketing plans, artist meetings, A&R, etc. It's never boring and I think everyone here appreciates that.
4. After almost two decades, why is the new Pennywise bigger than ever at Alternative radio?
Simply put, they wrote an amazing album, not just a single. And we were able to get awareness of that brilliant album out thru MySpace.com which resulted in 600K+ people signing up to get the album for free; that's a lot of real, verifiable word of mouth. I would think some of those people like the record enough to request the single at their local station.
5. What is the toughest part of your job?
The hour drive to and from work. I know it's a boring answer but any other complaint I would have about my gig would be petty.
6. What do you like best about your job? Least?
Best: Wearing a bunch of different hats.
Least: The pressure that comes from wearing a bunch of different hats.
7. Who are your mentors?
I have really learned the most from working with the guys at Hollywood (Bob, Abbey, Ken, Daniel, Mark, etc.). They created an enviable hit machine in a rough climate and really tried to focus on what they did well; that's something that most labels aren't guilty of.
8. What would surprise people most about you?
I try and get home to put my daughter to bed as many nights as I can.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?
Someone asking me if Tom is real.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I probably would have went into financial advising or to an i-bank... or dog-walker.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
I like hanging out with my wife, daughter, dogs, and cat the most. Besides that, the wife and I play Guitar Hero and Rockband (my wife on Expert, me on Medium...I'm serious). I travel for pleasure as much as I can; I also do a fair amount for work. I have season tickets to the LA Galaxy and I watch European soccer when I get the chance.
-
-