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10 Questions with ... David Ravikoff
November 10, 2020
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Even though it sucks to be stuck at home, and not be on the road seeing all our friends at radio – the pandemic has made things more efficient and streamlined. Whether it be artist interviews or setting up a record, accomplishing everything virtually has enabled us to get a lot more business done in less time. I don’t think these methods will ever replace in person meetings by any means. Those are still vitally important, and I can’t wait for them to return, but for now – things like Zoom are working in the short term.
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
First job: 2001, TVT Records, Promotion Assistant in NYC...then I headed over to Universal Records, also as Promotion Assistant in 2004. Eager to jump deeper into the promotion world, I was named DC Local and headed south. In 2006, I went over to Warner Bros Records, also as DC local. Kicking off 2016, I headed back north to the Big Apple now holding the position of Sr Director Alt/Rock Promotion for Warner Records.
1. Who were some of your early mentors entering the music business?
Tyson Haller, Joanne Grand, Howard Leon, and Dave Reynolds. I worked under Tyson as a college rep for Elektra Records, and got my first real experience at a major. After graduating, I scored my first real job at TVT assisting the entire Promotion Department, including Joanne Grand – where I learned the nuts of bolts of how it all works. Moving over to Universal Records, both Howard and Dave taught me how to be a local, how to close radio, and how to be creative.
2. What stands out the most from when you first started working at Warner almost 15 years ago?
Wow, first off, I can’t believe I have been with Warner for 15 years, where does the time go? When I came over from Universal Records in 2006, I was really excited by the label’s incomparable alt/rock roster …Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Avenged Sevenfold, Green Day, and My Chemical Romance, to name a few. As a lifelong fan, I was thrilled to be working with some of the biggest bands on the planet. The label’s artists perfectly aligned with my passions, so I was in heaven.
3. Of all the things you accomplished at Warner, what are you most proud of?
Being part of the team that broke The Black Keys. I remember a time when we had to BEG radio to come see the shows. Through lots of hard work, over several albums, alongside our partners at Q Prime, we finally broke through in a big way with “Tighten Up” going to #1 at Alternative in 2010. That single led to #1 after #1 and catapulted the band to arena level. After years being a well-respected club band, The Black Keys had final broken through, and radio was a major piece of the puzzle.
4. Give us the 411 on your current projects at Alternative Radio and what’s on deck for 2021.
Royal Blood “Trouble’s Coming” feels amazing, and we’re just getting started. As a band, Royal Blood has traditionally peaked in the teens at the format, so for us to be Top 15 in the first four weeks is incredibly exciting. A few of our programmer friends have remarked that this is their “favorite song of the year”! We agree!
ONR “Must Stop” featuring Phantogram is a brand-new artist/project that we are developing. While Royal Blood has been a race up the charts, we are taking a more strategic approach with this record, and slowly building it week by week and making sure every station is 100% engaged with the artist as we plot a breakthrough early next year. ONR has been a great partner radio thus far, we’ve done countless Instagram Lives, Zooms, and even sent programmers personalized messages. We truly believe “Must Stop” is a hit record and can be patient as it grows market to market. Sometimes all you need is a great song, and we have that with ONR.
Deftones have had a great year with the awesome new album “Ohms.” The title track is currently top 5 at active and had gone as far as 35* at alternative! Coming in December, we are thrilled to release the 20th Anniversary edition of White Pony, which will include the companion piece “Black Stallion,” featuring remixes of every White Pony track by artists such as Robert Smith, Mike Shinoda, Phantogram, and more! To go from a new/current Deftones album straight into the celebration of a classic one is a huge bright spot for us this year.
5. Music consumption has become a big piece of the promotion puzzle. How has this changed how you work singles to radio?
Dramatically. Over the course of the past year, we have had three massive streaming records with The Head & The Heart “Honeybee,” Sub Urban “Cradles” and “Freak.” All three were the top performers at the format at a given time, and breaking down that data with radio was key in securing adds, rotation increases, and in the case of Honeybee and Cradles, reaching #1 on the chart. It’s an extremely compelling argument when you can show radio exactly how your record is doing in their market, compared to other records with significantly more airplay. It’s now important tool in the promotional toolbelt. Not the only tool, but a key one.
6. How has the Covid pandemic impacted how you promote your artists?
Even though it sucks to be stuck at home, and not be on the road seeing all our friends at radio – the pandemic has made things more efficient and streamlined. Whether it be artist interviews or setting up a record, accomplishing everything virtually has enabled us to get a lot more business done in less time. I don’t think these methods will ever replace in person meetings by any means. Those are still vitally important, and I can’t wait for them to return, but for now – things like Zoom are working in the short term.
7. What is a typical workday like for you?
I have a little corner of my living room with a nice chair and fold out desk, and just get cranking in the morning until the day is over. It’s always a mix of calling radio, setting up artist promo, communicating with managers, pulling reports & checking in with my partner in crime Rob Goldklang, analyzing real-time, and making sure everything on our “to-do” list gets done. Some days are longer than others, but it’s also important to push “stop” on the day once it’s over, since the lines between working and living at home have certainly blurred. Our incredible EVP Mike Chester has given Rob & I the flexibility and freedom to get our jobs done, but with the added value of a support system. It’s a true team effort at Warner Records.
8. What is your favorite part of your job?
Turning a “no” into a “yes”. There is nothing more gratifying than converting an opinion. Closing an add or a rotation bump through verbal (or written) combat is extremely rewarding.
9. What’s your take on the current state of Alternative Radio?
For the most part, it feels good! I’m happy to see more stations added to the panel every period, and I like what Entercom is doing as a company to break certain records that they believe in. There will always be hills and valleys though. When I was a local rep in DC, I remember the day when WHFS, Y100 and KROCK all flipped – and it felt like the end of days. That sucked. I wish those stations had stuck around, but the format prevailed and in the case of NYC and Philly, fantastic stations ultimately filled the void.
10. What would surprise people most about you?
People are always stunned when I tell them that I grew up Miami. I’ll add to that nugget that while growing up in hot tropical South Florida, my family had an Old English Sheepdog named Bailey.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you during the pandemic?
Weekends are pretty boring these days. I’m either watching TV/movies, listening to music, reading, or taking long walks in our section of Brooklyn. Good news though, I’ve almost finished Netflix!
What are your favorite restaurants?
I’ll give you three. Lilia’s is an Italian Bistro in Williamsburg, newish spot with an amazing chef and a two month long waiting list. The second is Bamonte’s, right down the street. This is an old school Italian restaurant that has been around for a hundred years, all the waiters wear tuxedos, and you can stay as long as you like – they never rush you out. Number three is Sugarfish, which needs no further explanation.
Favorite food?
Tough question. If I had to choose though – I’d have to go with the above-mentioned Chicken Parm, with roast duck and/or Indian coming in close second. My aunt is a food & travel writer, so I learned early on to really appreciate the various spectrums of the food universe.
Favorite drink?
Coffee
How often will you get back home and what are your top priorities when you get back to Miami?
I usually visit the family once a year for Thanksgiving. Priority wise, it’s really about spending quality time with my folks, and hitting some of my favorite eat/drink spots from my childhood. If you’ve ever lived in Miami, then you’ll know all about Pollo Tropical & the “chop chop,” the honey mustard sub from Hungry Bear, and the grilled palomilla steak from Versailles. It’s also fun visiting some of the weirder sections of town …like did you know that Miami has its own zoo just for monkeys, called Monkey Jungle? It’s amazing!
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Growing up in Miami I loved seeing both the Florida Marlins and Miami Heat play…so let’s go Heat!
Favorite new band over the past year that you’re not working?
I’ve really gotten into psychedelic rock recently, so I need to shout out the amazing GARCIA PEOPLES! I cannot wait to see them once live shows return. They shred. I also need to mention Khruangbin, who are quietly becoming a massive band playing groovy lounge style funk.
Anything else you would like to add?
Wear a Mask!
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