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10 Questions with ... Mike Jakubow
August 20, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. The timing of this right now is key. Tool, Korn and Slipknot are dropping or about to drop huge records. There is excitement. Other core artists are continuing to thrive with new releases and new tours. "Newer" acts like Bring Me The Horizon and Ghost are starting to play bigger venues. Both have healthy streaming profiles ... bringing even more awareness to guitar-based music. There is a creativity flowing in our scene and a look towards the future. We don't feel as "rooted" in the past as we have been. That's pretty hopeful and exciting
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1. What made you want to get into the music business and who were some of your early mentors?
I was fascinated with everything music-related, from the first time I tuned into a cool radio station or first picked up the guitar. I wanted to know about the "behind the scenes" side of things. I got even more curious about radio, record labels and the music industry once high school and college hit. I DJ'd on both my high school and college radio stations. Next up was finding an internship with a record label. Sophomore year of college I landed one. My first internship was with Interscope Records at their Chicago/Itasca location. I had two great bosses during that period who encouraged me. They didn't mind exposing me to the realities of the business and the ins and outs of working with artists and industry folks. All the "behind the scenes" exposure you could ask for.
2. What was your first job and give us a rundown of the labels and positions you've held over the years?
My first industry job was as the part-time assistant to the Midwest retail promotion guys at Interscope. (The internship led to a part-time gig). Tons of hours for little pay (shocking), but I ate it all up. After that I spent five years at Victory Records ... starting off as the College Radio Promotions person and eventually rising to National Dir./Rock Radio. That led to a stint as National Dir./Rock Radio Promotions at Caroline Records/EMI. A couple years with Century Media with the same title and now at Sumerian Records as VP, label.
3. You spent several years as National Dir./Radio Promotions at such groundswell Rock labels as Victory and Century Media. Tell us about some of the bands you worked with and broke out of those labels?
The independent label world has its challenges and advantages for sure. The positives I totally believe in come from the bonding you have with an artist. With fewer people at the label, you have that direct connect with an artist. I love having that passion for an artist, because you take it somewhat personally. You truly want their success because it's a part of you. I got to work the beginning phases of Atreyu's career at radio while at Victory and watching them explode onto the national scene. Exact same story with Taking Back Sunday. At Century Media I found a kinship with Lacuna Coi l... some of my favorite people around. Helped them get to the next phase of their radio careers. Same goes for In This Moment. I remember those tough first (thousand) calls talking about the validity of this artist. It's been amazing to see them mature and grow. Nothing has changed in terms of these same beliefs over here at Sumerian Records. Many at radio already know I can take it personally, hah a.
4. Besides your label stints, you've also done your own independent promotion work. Tell us the advantages as well as challenges of working for a Label vs. independent promotion?
Advantages ... you are your own boss and the variety of artists you can work with is up to you. I could take on the projects I wanted and felt I could deliver for. The oversight is different, though, and that's a unique discipline. For the most part, lots of independent promo folks have an office out of their house. Makes sense. I had to stick to a strict schedule. With the label it's the small things that make me feel engaged. Going directly to your co-workers in other departments at the office, if you need info or assistance... being on a team with the same timeline. I enjoy that. Seeing a project from the ground floor and releasing it to the world, together.
5. How long have you been at Sumerian Records and for those who aren't familiar with Sumerian, give us a little label history and who are some of the bands who call Sumerian home?
Six years at Sumerian and wow, this company continues to evolve. We are expanding the artist roster, our reach into other media (TV and film) and ultimately our influence in this space. I had my first acting role for the T. show we are making titled "Paradise City." It's a spinoff from the movie we released called "American Satan." My scene was playing a sheriff's deputy who had to shut down a rock show (Randy Blythe from Lamb Of God was the singer of this fictitious band) ... it's a role I was born to play?! Hope it makes it to the final cut. On the music side of things ... it's extremely gratifying to see the growth of artists like Asking Alexandria. Look at where this band is now. The rollercoaster of their career has led to some of the biggest accomplishments to date. Working closely with Jonathan Davis last year was also really meaningful for the company. He trusted us with his debut solo album and we delivered. The bond we have with him now is exceptional. Fifteen-year-old me still can't wrap my head around it. Same goes for when we put out the Crosses record with Chino Moreno or Body Count and working with Ice-T. These are some cool memories. Beyond all that fandom ... real work is behind those records and the careers of Palaye Royale, Night Riots, Through Fire, After The Burial and many more. The same passion and work will go into our newest signings in Bones UK, Sleeping With Sirens, The Federal Empire and those not yet announced.
6. Asking Alexandria has always been a big priority for Sumerian and you've had great success with the singles from their last album. What's the plan moving forward for Asking Alexandria at Rock radio?
Yes, they continue to be a big priority for the label. This is the first time in the band's career we have back-to-back Top 10 charting singles at Rock radio. All that radio attention and other exposure has afforded them access to some of the biggest stages in their career. They are set to complete three arena runs in one year, supporting some big names and landing main stage slots at every festival. All indications show we are on the right path. The next step is on my shoulders ... getting them that #1 spot on the Rock charts. ; )
7. You also have new singles from Through Fire and Bones UK out now. What can you tell us about these two projects at Rock radio?
I'm so proud of these bands. Through Fire was renamed when we signed them. Starting from essentially the ground floor. They just wrapped their first-ever headline tour. Huge victory for any rock band that can get to this next phase. As we move into the sophomore release, we are seeing the band gain their fourth (4/4) consecutive charting single at Rock radio. They live and breathe the rock and roll lifestyle. Bones UK is one of our newest signings to the label. My first official A&R credit/signing. These ladies are something special. Their history is already so cool. Jeff Beck plucked them from all the musicians in London (Camden Town) and the girls were off writing on his new album and touring in massive venues ... all before they got back to being "BONES UK." We just released their debut album. They have no fear, they have a message and they are some incredible musicians. Carmen (guitarist) is everything you want in a rock star ... look, attitude and talent. Comfortable onstage with Buddy Guy or Jeff Beck as she would be with Keith Richards or Blink 182. Rosie and Carmen command the stage. Go see them live.
8. Besides the artists you're already working with, who are some other new and emerging Rock bands that we should keep an ear out for in the future from Sumerian?
I've been jamming Bad Omens, Starbenders, Juliet Simms and Sin Shake Sin on heavy. Each is a different style or genre. Variety equals happiness!
9. Let's talk about the Rock format and Active Rock as a whole. What's your take on the State of Rock Radio today?
The timing of this right now is key. Tool, Korn and Slipknot are dropping or about to drop huge records. There is excitement. Other core artists are continuing to thrive with new releases and new tours. "Newer" acts like Bring Me The Horizon and Ghost are starting to play bigger venues. Both have healthy streaming profiles ... bringing even more awareness to guitar-based music. There is a creativity flowing in our scene and a look towards the future. We don't feel as "rooted" in the past as we have been. That's pretty hopeful and exciting.
10. Finally…you recently had a big birthday Bash in your hometown of Chicago. What can you tell us about that evening that’s suitable for printing?
All I could have wanted and then some. My intent was to throw a very "Chicago" show in that all the bands must be from there. The Cobra Lounge made everything incredibly easy to organize. Growing up in that city if you are a rock fan, you loved Local H. You've seen Scott (singer) at bars or you've seen the band live a dozen times and it's always such a good show. I got in contact with their management and explained everything and the band was down. I couldn't believe it. I had 'em booked for 60 minutes at the show, I think they played 90. Every other band was exceptional as well. Making a speech from stage for 250 people at this private event was also a lot of fun. I'm not sure what I said, but it worked. And my friends in radio showed up! Thank you to Cutter, Elwood & Kaytie from WZOR, Borna from WHQG, Wes Styles from WBBE, Matty Martino, Tom Schmall, Bob Hathaway, Mark Mailer from WRXQ, Scott Davidson from Rebel Radio and Lauren from WKQX for being there. You see, we really are a family at the end of the day.
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