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10 Questions with ... Paul Spagna
June 1, 2021
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I’m beyond excited to be working a 10 Years record! I’ve loved the band for so long, and I have a good relationship with them, so to be able to work closely with Jesse, Brian and Matt is an honor. We have great research on “The Unknown,” as it was top 10 in Rate the Music, has great numbers from Octane, and we’re heading to Top 25 in the charts. The band is also announcing Summer and Fall tour dates, including a run with Theory of a Deadman!
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1. What was your first job in radio or the music business and who were some of your early influences or mentors?
My first real radio gig was an overnight board-op job at WLIR on Long Island. It was midnight – 8am Sunday morning, so it killed my Saturday nights, but I wanted a job in radio so badly that I didn’t mind too much. I listened to so much awful public affairs programming! Growing up listening to ‘LIR, WPLJ, and Q104 gave me a great foundation in New York music. Those DJ’s were my constant companions, and I just knew they had the coolest job in the world. I wanted a piece of that!
2. Can you give us a quick thumbnail of your career background before you started working for Mascot Label Group?
I went to Hofstra University to study communications, specifically for their radio program. Was a student volunteer at the award-winning WRHU. I was a weekend board op at WLIR, news desk assistant and producer at WOR in NYC, and I've been a board-op, assistant producer, and then producer at United Stations, working with the legendary Roxy Myzal on hardDrive.
3. You worked for many years at United Stations as the Content Producer for hardDrive. What did you learn from that experience that has prepared you for this new gig with Mascot Label Group?
I learned that relationships are the foundation of this business. Who you know is important, yes, but it’s also important that people know that you’re someone who they can rely on. Establishing a reputation as someone who is not only passionate about music, but competent in my work, has served me well. Most importantly, I learned it’s important to pick up the phone. In many conversations I’ve had with promo folks, they always seemed to appreciate that I would return calls, or just pick up when they rang.
4. Congrats on your new job as Manager, Promotion & Administration for the Mascot Label Group. What are some of your key duties in this role?
It’s primarily a promotion position: I’ll be working records and helping the wonderful Lorraine Caruso, whom everyone loves! In addition, I’ll also be spearheading an initiative to stay better connected to our stations. We want them to know about all the exciting music coming from Mascot Label Group. In addition, I’ll be utilizing my production skills on a number of upcoming projects, and lastly, I’ll be representing the label at as many concerts as I can get to (which will be A LOT, when they start up again!)
5. How has the transition been for you going from the Radio side to working at a record label?
It’s been like jumping into the deep end of the pool! There are a lot of moving parts, multiple campaigns for many different artists, and I’m only two weeks into the gig right now. Fortunately, everyone at Mascot, from Ron Burman, to Lorraine, to Patrick Brennan and Bob Hoch, have all been incredible at helping me get up to speed. It’s been very exciting to see how it all comes together, and now that I’m a part of it, I’m learning so much. Plus, the outpouring of love from all my friends on the radio side has made it easy to remember why I love this lifestyle so much. There are so many wonderful, passionate people in this business, from the musicians, to radio, to labels and management, and that’s why, after being out of work for almost a year, this new job with Mascot really feels like coming home again.
6. Now let’s talk about some of the Mascot Label projects starting with the latest from 10 Years and the single “The Unknown.” How is this project progressing at this point?
Firstly, I’m beyond excited to be working a 10 Years record! I’ve loved the band for so long, and I have a good relationship with them, so to be able to work closely with Jesse, Brian and Matt is an honor. We have great research on “The Unknown,” it was top 10 in Rate the Music, great numbers from Octane, and we’re heading to top 25 in the charts. The band is announcing summer and fall tour dates, including a run with Theory of a Deadman!
7. What other Rock projects are coming in the months ahead from the Mascot Label Group?
I am so excited for the new EP from Crobot, “Rat Child!” I love those guys so much, and the songs they did with Frank Bello from Anthrax and the legend, Howard Jones? Absolutely sublime! Everyone should be excited! There’s a new Yngwie “Parabellum” record coming, which is fantastic. Plus a new band that Mascot introduced me to, Cold Stares. These guys are awesome, and I really dig their vibe. I’m hoping others are as excited about them as I am!
8. Since you’ve worked in Rock Radio and now with a label, what's your take on current Active Rock music and the Rock format overall?
Pandemic irregularities aside, my answer remains mostly the same. I think the Active Rock format has a lot of great things going for it! There’s great rock music coming out every day from incredible bands, both new and old. One of the things that breaks my heart, especially living in New York, the #1 market in the country, is hearing that “there’s no good new music in rock.” My friends have learned not to say that around me, unless they want an hour long lesson in what’s awesome right now. There’s a prevailing attitude in the larger companies that rock is not popular, and not profitable. But look at any of the big festivals, look at the success of rock stations that know their audience, and you’ll know that not only is rock music alive and well, but thriving! When kids stop picking up guitars and jamming, then we should worry, but I have seen no indication of that happening any time soon.
9. Besides Rock radio airplay, how important is the streaming metrics and Social Media numbers for a band and single in telling the story of how well a record is doing?
These days, streaming is VERY important. Radio is no longer the primary source to discover new music for most people. Some artists don’t bother releasing albums at all, because a new streaming track every two months is a bigger impact. The digital future is here, and for anyone to discount the impact streaming has on music is short-sighted. Social media, too, is critical! The access fans have to their favorite musicians via social media is unprecedented, and you will see over and over that the biggest stars are ACTIVE on their social media channels. It’s practically a second job, but it’s critical to success. If you want to entertain people, you cannot neglect your socials, period. So, when telling the story of how well a record is doing, streaming and socials show how well fans are engaging with the music. If stations aren’t spinning your record, but you can show them streams in the millions, they’ll reconsider, and quickly.
10. Finally, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in “work” mode?
Well, I’m an avid gamer, though only on my PC. Played through all of Valheim recently, a very promising early-access game. I love camping, me and my buds usually go once a season. My favorite place to pitch a tent is Stokes State Forest in New Jersey, an absolutely gorgeous place with plenty of hiking trails. I’m also a decent cook. One advantage of being home for the pandemic was the amount of home-cooked meals. My wife really appreciates my enthusiasm for cooking, and the two of us make a great team in the kitchen! The only outlet I’m missing is a good concert… but I’m vaxxed and ready!
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