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10 Questions with ... Chris Moradi
April 11, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Neil [Jacobson] started managing producers and songwriters inside of Geffen and felt it was a very underserved community and wanted to expand it. He decided to buy out the Geffen Management division from UMG and spun it into Hallwood Media. In its short existence it has become the world's largest producer and songwriter management agency boasting over 100 clients. We help manifest opportunity for them in a variety of ways, including as of late, management and label services for artists our producers sign or bring to Hallwood Media
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
22 years at Interscope Records: 1999-2000 Assistant, 2000-2003 K.C. Mid-West Regional, 2004-2007, Houston Southwest Regional, 2007-2013 L.A. West Coast Regional, 2014-2021 National Top 40. 2022-Present Hallwood Media.
1. How did you become interested in the record business?
I was studying Geology at Salem State University and got involved with the college radio station WMWM which was advised by Tai Irwin of WFNX. I got the radio bug there and went from studying rocks to rockstars. When I learned Radio Promotion was an actual job, I knew it was the gig for me and tried like hell to get a foot in the door anywhere I could.
2. You spent a lot of years at Interscope Records. Tell us about your move to Hallwood Media as Head of Marketing in 2022.
Scariest move of my professional career. Leaving Interscope is like leaving a family and Brenda, Chris and the team there are forever family. But the opportunity to learn a completely new set of skills such as Film/TV licensing, management, publishing deals, advances, brand marketing, production deals and pitching to DSP's was something that was very tantalizing to me. Neil recognizes that radio promotion reps are the best and hardest working sales people in the world and wanted that kind of approach and acumen to attack the other facets of the business.
3. You worked with Hallwood Media President Neil Jacobson at Interscope. Give us the background on Hallwood Media, which started up in 2020.
Neil [Jacobson] started managing producers and songwriters inside of Geffen and felt it was a very underserved community and wanted to expand it. He decided to buy out the Geffen Management division from UMG and spun it into Hallwood Media. In its short existence it has become the world's largest producer and songwriter management agency boasting over 100 clients. We help manifest opportunity for them in a variety of ways, including as of late, management and label services for artists our producers sign or bring to Hallwood Media.
4. Let's talk about ALEXSUCKS "Can We Forget" that is at Alternative Radio now. The band worked with the legendary Brendan O'Brien. Tell us more.
ALEXSUCKS was brought to us by the rap artist GASHi who has amazing taste. He insisted we listen to some music from a kid named Alex Alvarez he was hanging out with. We heard the demo's months ago and were blown away by its authenticity. Not a note was changed from those demos to the finished product, the writing is all Alex and his band. But it lacked shine so we decided to play them for Hallwood client Brendan O'Brien, who as you can imagine, is extremely picky on what projects he chooses to work on. On one listen Brendan demanded he produce the entire album. He heard the magic just as much as we did.
5. You have a plan to release multiple singles leading up to the album in June. Explain how you work to partner with radio on ALEXSUCKS.
The feedback from the highest levels of radio programming on "Can We Forget" has been overwhelming. We fully recognize the importance that radio can play with ALEXSUCKS and want to partner in every way possible. He's ready to take any opportunity radio asks of him. We want to grow the radio story organically and there has been a lot of great chatter. Top 40 always speaks about the mother/daughter records as a home run and if you were 20 years old when The Strokes came out you are 43 now and ALEXSUCKS has obvious appeal to both ends of that spectrum for Alternative. In parallel to that Tom Windish (booking agent for Billie Eilish) signed on after meeting the band and seeing live footage, so stay tuned for major touring plans to be announced soon.
6. As you ramp up the new music discovery on ALEXSUCKS, what are your expectations/goal for this exciting L.A. artist?
Plainly we think ALEXSUCKS has everything it takes to be a household name and a huge artist at the format. Alex is an incredible live performer and has an album of great songs and potential hits, not just "Can We Forget". Everything is moving so fast for them that I think we are moving the goal posts almost daily. For now, Neil, myself and our team plan to get him going as fast as we can before looking to bring in another partner to take him on or to the next level. The album drop and Roxy show on 6/10 will be big milestones in the band's career and we will see what the near future brings after that.
7. What is a typical workday like for you when you're not talking to radio programmers?
At Hallwood, the marketing department is a team of 5 people across 100 clients. So managing them and laying out what opportunities we can manifest and going after them is a big part of the job. Film/TV placement and creation of custom music for advertising, trailers etc. is a huge focus for us and with so many music houses out there, evangelizing what Hallwood is about and its unique ability to create custom music with the same people writing and producing radio and Billboard's biggest hits is paramount. When I'm not doing that, working DSP's on releases and managing social strategies is another aspect.
8. What is your favorite part of the job?
Every single day is different. The order of priorities changes daily so there is no hamster wheel here. Plus, we might have the most beautiful office in all of L.A.! You have to see it to believe it.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________?
coffee (lots of coffee) and checking in with my folks back in Boston.
10. What may surprise people most about you?
I worked at radio station and a restaurant in Florence, Italy.
Bonus Questions
What are weekends like for you?
When I am with my daughter, it's ALL about her. I love every second of it.
What are your favorite restaurants in the valley?
How about L.A.? Sushi Spot Tarzana for sushi, Maestro's for steak, Jino's Pars for Persian, Ciccone's for Italian (since Casa Ado in Venice closed!).
Favorite food?
After living in Italy, it has to be Italian.
Favorite drink?
Tequila Soda
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Patriots, Bruins, Red Sox.
First record ever purchased?
"Party All The Time" Eddie Murphy
First concert?
Whitesnake
Favorite band of all-time?
The Cure
Anything else you would like to add?
Please add ALEXSUCKS lol.
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