10 Questions with ... RADIOCONTRABAND

1. Thanks to you both for taking the time as you get ready for RadioContraband 2017. Can you give us the brief history of RadioContraband and how you got involved working together?

Steve: The partnership started when Beatrix, Jacob Bunton and I decided to re-create a community. I wish we could take credit for being forward thinking, but it really was an old-school approach to re-connecting dots, re-creating an environment that was based on like-minded people wanting to take advantage of a collective passion. A passion for all things rock.

2. What was the genesis for doing the RadioContraband Convention?

Steve: RadioContraband started as a website. An environment that included tools to expose the music impacting rock radio, charts, news and tour dates, artist and industry profiles. An opportunity to get to know the people in our genre. Part of the website was based on celebrating who we are, so the Convention and Rock Radio Awards were created. It seemed like a pretty obvious genesis into a gathering of our community.

Beatrix: I just really wanted to throw a party in Vegas! :)

3. There's been talk about moving the convention to a different city, but you're still rocking it in Las Vegas. Any future plans to change locations?

Beatrix: Sure, there is always talk about doing something different from the year before. People have approached us with some interesting possibilities, all of them with great potential. So stay tuned ;)

4. Now let's talk about the RadioContraband Convention this week in Las Vegas: What are some of the highlights of the daily panels?

Beatrix: Well, let's start with our awesome kick -off party hosted by our amazing partners at Mediabase.

Steve: Our panels this year include listening to tracks from the new Incubus record, spending time with Papa Roach and hearing their new single. An interview with Alter Bridge hosted by Ryan Castle/KISW and an acoustic lunch time performance by Dead Desire. There'll be some old school perspective on one of our panels, and a conversation about Alternative records in the niched Rock format on another. We are also bringing Nicole Slater back to talk about social media and it's continuing contribution at Rock radio. A big thank you to Joanne Grand and Bob UK for taking on the panels again this year!

5. You also have some pretty cool music showcases set for the Hard Rock each night. Who are some of the Rock artists that are performing this week?

Steve: All That Remains will be headlining a free show at the Hard Rock Live on Thursday, that includes Righteous Vendetta, Radkey and DED.

Beatrix: We'll have Shallow Side and Rachel Lorin playing during the awards party on Friday.

6. Let's talk about the "community" of Rock radio stations and labels. I asked this question last year. What makes this format seem like such a big family?

Beatrix: I still think it's the PASSION for rock music we all share!

7. Speaking of the Rock radio community, give us the scoop on this week's RadioContraband Rock Radio awards?

Steve: The event Friday night at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Casino is our 6th Annual Rock Radio Awards, hosted by Lou Brutus and sponsored by Concord Music Group. This will include the 3rd inductions into the Rock Radio Hall Of Fame. We are excited to see the Hall Of Fame to continue to grow as a celebration for the past, present and future of our genre. This year's rock awards will be streamed live and available on YouTube and Facebook Live through our production partner, Floodstream.

8. Now, let's talk about the Rock format as a whole, particularly Active Rock. What's your take on the music and artists at the format today?

Steve: It was a great year for Rock radio with some of the most significant bands in the environment delivering records. Bands like Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed impacting not only at radio but delivering success at retail as well. A tour by most of the original members of Guns N Roses was substantial for the Rock genre. This really was a great year! I still think there is room to play Alternative records that fit within our format and I still scratch my head when Rock radio doesn't want to play one of the biggest bands in our format, Nickelback. Why is this a continuing debate?

9. Give me three new Rock artists you think will break big at the format in 2017, and why?

Steve: There seems to be a very big buzz for Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes. There is also a lot of excitement surrounding the Biffy Clyro record impacting Rock radio this week from Warner Bros.

Beatrix: I think we were all blown away by the first week sales of the new Starset record, VESSELS. Excited to see what happens with that band this year.

10. Finally, if someone reading this is on the fence about attending this year's RadioContraband Convention in Las Vegas, what would you say to convince them to join the party?

Beatrix: We are so lucky to have the huge support of radio and labels that really do most of the talking. I get calls every year from Convention virgins that a RadioContraband alumni told them this is the event they need to be at.