10 Questions with ... Gary Gorman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

College Radio Promotion Fort Apache, Cambridge MA. Atlantic Records College Radio Promotion, Pittsburgh & NY Regional, VP Alternative & Rock Promotion.

1. What are you most proud of from your first year at Capitol Music Group?

First, I'd say that I'm proud of the whole year. Successfully navigating the amount of songs that we've had this year at alternative is not without its challenges. I believe that our staff did a great job this year focusing & delivering records all years. If I had to choose, however, I'd probably rank getting Empire Of The Sun's 2008 single Walking On A Dream Top 3 was pretty memorable. The Bastille #1 run with Good Grief and the Catfish & The Bottlemen campaign also stand out.

2. Tell us about the new Cold War Kids record you having coming in early 2017. Remarkably, the band's massive #1 hit single "First" peaked around the same time you joined Capitol in September 2015 and is 2016 Mediabase Alternative Song Of The Year. Incredible.

I met with Cold War Kids in the first few months of being at Capitol when they were shopping for a new deal. Great to get back into the fold with them since the early Downtown days when I was at Atlantic. Talk about a band that has done it both honest & right. 10 years in and coming off the biggest single of their career. First was on the Alt chart for 60+ weeks & still clocking in at 7-8 million in audience every week. Simply amazing. The new music doesn't disappoint and we'll launch the next phase of CWK with a brand new single in early January.

3. Your Capitol Music Group Monday morning emails are chock full of nuggets. How would you describe yourself as a promotion exec?

You read those? J I would describe myself as passionate, honest, strategic and mostly loud. I also have listed "hair", but I'm not sure how that fits in this question.

4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?

Being right? Seriously, working with fantastic artists, staff and clients every day is high on my list. There is nothing better; however, than knowing you have played a critical moment in breaking a song/band. That's the best part of this job.

5. After 17 years at Atlantic Records, what was your biggest takeaway?

Great team, great artists. Wouldn't have traded it for anything.

6. How different are the work cultures at each label?

Like any label, you will have slight differences in both philosophy and culture. Steve Barnett's vision of reimagining Capitol couldn't be more exciting. From the legacy of this historic building to the eclectic roster of artists that we are signing, it's hard not to feel like you're in the middle of a real renaissance.

7. What has been your biggest challenge working at The Tower?

First, let me say that this year -- without a doubt -- 2016 has been the most exciting and challenging year of my career. I mean that, though, in an incredibly positive way. New bands, new staff, new managers, personnel changes-it has been a year! Again, hard not to look back at our year & not be happy with the last 12 months.

8. Describe your typical day at the office each day.

Mostly trying to find more hours in the day to talk to radio

9. What are your thoughts on the state of Alternative Radio?

Definitely some hurdles in 2017. I'm looking forward to this format breaking more bands next year.

10. What were your biggest personal highlights from Capitol's 75th Anniversary Party at The Tower?

Oh, Neil Diamond.

What music do you enjoy listening to away from work? It's not too different than you would imagine.

Let's see this weekend; I have listened to Grimes, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Phantogram, M83, Pixies, Banks, PJ Harvey, and Sonic Youth.

What are weekends in L.A. like for you?

If it's a good weekend, I'm out hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains somewhere. Maybe snapping a few good shots of the back of my head.

When you get back home to New York, what are your top 5 things to do?

Getting to see at least half of my immediate family is a must (including my little 4 year old niece Evangeline). Otherwise, it's really all about trying to plug into some of that energy from the city. It's wildly infectious & I have no answer for that on the west coast. We do, however, have a lot of damn sunshine.