10 Questions with ... Mike Popadines

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Professional Writing in 2010, where I spent four awesome years at the college radio station (88.3 FM KUR) as President and Promotions Director. Started out as a board operator for Rock 101.9 WRXP/New York in 2011, and did some light production, voiceover, and street team work until the station flipped in the summer of 2012. Stuck around for FM News 101.9 WEMP as an overnight producer and writer, until leaving in December 2012 for Music Choice. Came onboard as a Programming Assistant, then Programming Coordinator, then Associate Manager, and now I am Senior Programmer for Music Choice Adult Alternative, Music Choice Dance, & Music Choice Indie (among other channels).

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I wanted to do some sort of on-air work from an early age. I loved radio, I loved TV, and I loved movies as a kid (still do, obviously). It wasn't until I was around 17 or 18 that I really thought about a career and what I wanted to do. Music became a huge part of my life and who I was during my senior year of high school, and I was discovering so many new, exciting bands that really made me think. I wanted to share what I was listening to with more and more people. I thought I could maybe write about music and find work at a magazine or a blog, but once I joined my college's radio station, I got bit by the bug. I knew this was the way to go, and that this was what I wanted to do.

2. What led you to Music Choice?

I've been a fan of the Music Choice brand since my parents bought a premium cable TV package in the mid-2000s. In college, one of my best friends/college radio co-hosts and I would watch channels like Alternative and Retroactive (now Classic Alternative) to hear obscure artists and bands to play on our show. I always thought it would be great to work here, but it seemed like a pipedream. Luckily, an old co-worker and friend from WRXP reached out to me after the station flipped and told me she was at Music Choice, and that the Programming department was looking for a hungry assistant with a background in indie music. I did some more research on the company, and everything checked out. I was sold, and I wanted the gig. I was fortunate enough to land it.

3. What does everyone need to know about Music Choice's multi-platform music and video network?

I think everyone needs to know how accessible we are. We are literally everywhere -- on cable, on the web, we have a great app -- and we're completely commercial free. We're a small team, but we wear many hats. We make sure the best possible content, whether it's a world premiere song or a brand-new music video, is available to our consumers immediately.

But I think the most important thing to know is that the programmers here are not robots -- we don't use algorithms, and we don't just plug and play from a chart. We're real, die-hard music lovers here, and a lot of what we play is from the gut, so this is an extremely human and passionate experience.

4. What are your responsibilities at Music Choice with your recent promotion to Sr. Programmer?

So, since the promotion, I've gotten at least one more person underneath me. This is someone who isn't exactly programming the same formats as me, but still a great asset to the team in a different role. I'm doing my best to teach this person all of the different things there are to master here at Music Choice.

I'm also branching out into a much more strategic role, with things like brand partnerships and content acquisition. There are a lot of moving parts to my new role, and a handful of new people to work with, but I'm taking it in stride and doing my best to balance being a proactive, tactical planner and a sharp music programmer.

5. What is your favorite part of your job?

It's probably been meeting (and re-meeting) a bunch of really smart and really talented industry folks. Whether they're label reps, promo experts, on air talents, and of course, the artists themselves -- everyone has an interesting story to tell, and I love a good story (especially when it relates to music). I get a lot of great perspective from people who have been in the industry way longer than me, and I respect their commitment to the business and take what they say to heart. I think we all need each other to provide music fans with a great experience; and for me, it's about learning as much as I can, hearing the best artists, and trusting those around me to help me build a great channel.

6. You recently added Adult Alternative to the stations you program. How would you describe the Adult Alternative channel?

The Adult Alternative channel is our Triple A channel, and I'm having a lot of fun behind the wheel! I like to say it's a forward-thinking incubator for new artists in Alternative, Singer-Songwriter, and other eclectic genres for the young and old alike.

Since being handed the keys, I've gone into some of the older tracks in the channel and re-coded a handful and moved a few around. I really want to remain true to the format, but I also want to make things a bit weirder. I'm an Indie Rock guy to the core, so the more I can sprinkle in some of those artists into the mix and have it resonate with our audience, the more I will.

7. What new acts are you most excited about?

I'm really excited about all the new music that came out this year!

8. What is the most challenging part of the job?

I would say it's the juggling act of leading several different formats and leading internal projects. I really need to break up my day, hour by hour, and focus on meeting the highest priorities first. A lot of times I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. It's a work in progress. I challenge myself to hit all my deadlines and get back to everyone on all their wants and needs, but I still need to remind myself about what's most important: the content. Content is king, and when I can balance out my day, or week, or month, or quarter and really knock out some great programming, then everything else seems to fall in place.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I'm a twin! And my twin brother has a knack for predicting trends in pop music from miles away (maybe stronger than me). I think he'd make a pretty great programmer, himself.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ....

... coffee and good music!

Last non-industry job:

I worked at a Jersey Mike's Subs with some of my best friends growing up before the company really took off. I still crave the sandwiches even after all these years and after having everything on the menu. It was the wild west when we worked there ... we really got away with a lot.

First record ever purchased:

I think it was Green Day's Dookie when I was seven, and probably from a garage sale.

First concert:

Bloc Party (with The Macabees and The Noisettes) at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA in 2007. Phenomenal show.

Favorite band of all-time:

It's a toss-up between R.E.M. and The Replacements. But R.E.M. has always been a spring time band for me, so maybe for now we can go with those boys from Athens, GA.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

I like to see friends and hang out at shows. I do my best to keep up with everyone, but I know we're all getting older and doing different things, so I think it's important to keep having fun and do the things you love. I also like to go the gym, explore the city, and a good nap.