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10 Questions with ... Doug LaGambina
December 11, 2007
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NAME:Doug LaGambinaTITLE:Rock Editor/Head of Rock PromotionCOMPANY:All Access Music GroupFORMAT:RockLOCATION:Malibu, CABORN:Brooklyn, NYRAISED:Long Island, NY and Wilton CT, and a few stops along the way in FL and MN.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I first got a taste for all this silliness in college as PD then OM of the school's station, WNHU at the University of New Haven. I rarely went to class, so I had to find something to do. I got hired by Imago Records to do college radio promotion after that and proceeded to trash the offices of TVT, Nettwerk, Giant/Revolution, Red Ant, Immortal with all the requisite fancy VP and "Head of" titles, before Joel Denver lost his mind and hired me for this fine gig.
1. What made you want to get into the music business? Early mentors?
Mostly chicks. I got in this business because I saw really hot chicks hanging out with really goofy-looking guys wielding backstage laminates and thought, "Hey, this is for me" In the beginning it was all about getting free music and tickets. Once I got a taste of that in college radio, I knew I had no other choice. Making a living turning people on to new music and getting free stuff ... what more could you ask for? Tom Gorman, my first boss in the industry, taught me that you can be ambitious without being a jackass.
2. What, besides your, over-inflated ego would inspire you to do a 10 questions with yourself?
Well, as 2007 comes to a close I wanted to take this time to reflect on the past year and give everyone a chance to ridicule me behind my back. (Editor's note: What? And stop ridiculing you in front of your chest? No way!) A good laugh at my expense is my gift to you over the holidays. Really, though, I just wanted to focus on a few issues that might be of interest as we embark on 2008 very shortly. A public reflection if you will. Public nudity seemed inappropriate.
(There is no Editor's note at this time as he had fallen into a coma at the thought of Doug in context of the preceding sentence.)
3. It seems that set-up is more important now than ever. What do you do to think a good promotion executive needs to do to inspire the staff and give their records the best possible shot to get on ever-tightening Rock playlists?
I'm not sure I should be doling out advice specifically, but the best label people I work with are the ones who can both direct a staff as a leader and slam the phones alongside them. I love when I'm talking about music with a programmer and they tell me they just got off the phone that particular VP or National Director. Set-up is important, but lack of persistence and follow-through will wreck your chances of cutting through the crowd. Inspire by example.
4. Things are changing rapidly in our business. Were it up to you, what would you change in our "system" to give an artist the best possible shot?
I'd like to see all sides of the business get excited about music again. Looking at a pile of CDs on your desk with dread is a sad thing. Try and remember back when a pile of free music aroused you in inappropriate ways and you couldn't wait to hear what you had been sent. (Editor's note: Oh, oh... too late... back in a coma again...) We all get busy and overwhelmed, but most of us got into this world because we love music and loved turning our friends on to great music. Let's bring a little of that back and I think the industry will thrive.
5. Who do you consider the current tastemakers in the ROCK world?
There are some great ears out there who take some chances when possible. Props to Mistress Carrie at WAAF, Rob Heckman at WIYY, Mike Allen at WYBB, Larry McFeelie at KUPD and all my buddies out there who, despite an ever-increasing "safety counts" climate, find a slot for that occasional, what I call "Passion Add." It is so rewarding to see a band's career grow out of a few people taking the first shot.
6. Are you finding that today's "baby" bands are getting a fair shot at radio and, more importantly, are they being given the airplay they need to break through to the masses and be recognized?
As cynical as we all can get sometimes, I do believe there are some great success stories out there. I mean, even the myth that Active Rock can't play female-led bands has been shattered in the past 18 months with Flyleaf. Other success stories like Red and Evans Blue are very encouraging as well. Also, bands like Egypt Central are going to surprise some people in 2008. So, yes, baby bands can get noticed; I just wish it was more often.
7. It has become apparent that in this research driven time, records are taking much longer to "test." How do you go about making sure that your record will be given a fair shot?
The constant exchange and sharing of those vital pieces of information on a constant basis will keep programmers informed about things under consideration and keep them confident about a song they are already playing. You can never take for granted that a programmer has looked at CD sales or saw ticket sales for a show in or near their market. You need to serve up the information on a silver platter, and often.
8. Every promotion person has a record close to their heart that for one reason or another never broke through, "The One That Got Away...." What is your "one that got away" and what did you learn from that record?
Well, for me, it was defeat then victory with 30 Seconds To Mars. It was the one that got away from me as VP Promotion at Immortal -- and then I got to watch Ray Gmeiner have a great run with album number two. I learned than persistence can pay off. Even in the face of the constant "I'm not going to play any band with a pretty boy actor in it!" It's a great story of artist development and proof that giving a band a chance to grow over a couple of releases can really pay off.
9. What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of the rock formats growth and constant daily changes?
All Access, duh. But obviously talking to as many programmers as I do, I feel like I get it from the horse's mouth every day ... and then I get to feed it to other horses. Did I carry that metaphor too far?
10. What current-based rock artist do you see having the ability and skills to stick around for several records in today's instant gratification-oriented society?
I think radio will look back on 2007 as the year they could have played more Fair To Midland. These kids have a lot more to offer in the future. I also think My Chemical Romance's career will continue to grow to mammoth proportions.
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