IVANA IS TRYING TO BE COOL

CITY OF ANGELS: I have long ago accepted that this column is the sound of one hand clapping. It takes the pressure off of having to be upbeat and rah-rah all the time, despite the oft-deplorable behavior that is handed to me by you, dear radio programmer. I have a few beloved friends among you, and at times, when you profess how well others (managers, label heads, promotion folks, artists) treat you, I can’t help but laugh—or snort iced tea out of my nose (if in mid-drink).

If you want to know how a person really is, see how they treat me (or any of my “service industry” peers). Ted refers to the job as a “series of one-sided conversations,” which doesn’t necessarily bother me (I crack myself up), except when the same monologue is delivered repeatedly, with no discernible progress (the definition of “futility”).

So we need to find other ways to fuel our passion for the job, whether it’s a trip to Lollapalooza to see our first favorite bands (many Cure and Nine Inch Nails fans are excited for the weekend ahead), or a most-welcome add after months of effort (KTBZ added Tame Impala this week!), or an on-demand screening of the new Big Star documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me (which I highly recommend). I’ve heard others recommend something called a “vacation,” but that concept is completely alien to me. The Divine Fits/Postal Service show last week was my break from stress.

Obviously, I’m not the only burned-out, stressed-out person in the room. So how do we deal with it, besides “escaping” any way we can? Let’s go basic: Treat others as you wish to be treated, even if you don’t have to. You will be rewarded in your next life. Amber Miller, former PD of WEQX, has been hired to join the Caroline promotion team. Her flawless reputation, intelligence and passion for music will benefit her greatly as she embarks on this next phase of her career. Those who had always done good business with Amber when she was a PD owe her whatever help we can offer, even if we’re “competing” for the same slot at a station.

Even when he thinks he can one-up me on the topic of punk rock (hah), I remain Nick Petropoulos’ biggest fan. During his tenure at Glassnote, he’s been instrumental in breaking many IMPORTANT bands for the format (like my faves Phoenix), and his tenacity and focus on building “Trying to be Cool” to its rightful place in the Top 10, deserves absolute respect and consideration from radio programmers.

Unlike many labels, whose release schedule demands a weekly shift in priorities, Glassnote is in the enviable position of staying with a song until it’s a hit, especially when there are many examples of fantastic call-out and increased sales in airplay markets. Programmers are always looking for the “next shiny band,” and often forget that their audience still cares deeply about the band they’re now being dismissive of, even when that band is valuable enough to headline their Xmas show.

Speaking of bands that your audience LOVES, it’s still a few weeks away from release of the new Franz Ferdinand CD, and the first single “Right Action” is already Top 25! The band is played a “secret” show this week at the Echoplex, following a playback of the new record, and, like Coachella, I expect the setlist will be hit-after-hit-after-hit. Can’t wait!

Since it’s been at least a week since we’ve praised Capitol’s Bill Carroll and Howard P. for setting the bar too high for the rest of us, we should hail them for launching the new Thirty Seconds to Mars single “City of Angels” to #1 Most Added this week, following early adds from KROQ and Live105, among others. This song is 30STM’s most perfect anthem—an homage to theirs (and Bill’s) adopted city.

Lots of love this week for Dennis Blair and the new Naked and Famous single he just launched. “Hearts Like Ours” is the band’s best song to date. VERY excited to hear it on the radio…. Kudos to Mike DePippa for staying the course on MS MR, which is now breaking after months of hard work by the label and the band! He’s about to launch follow-ups on The Neighbourhood, Daft Punk and (soon) Nine Inch Nails.

Yes, I’ve heard the new Arcade Fire single. And yes, it’s AMAZING. Patience, Grasshopper, your time is soon.

When Rob Goldklang says NoNoNo, you say YesYesYes!

SONG TO HEAR: Chvrches “The Mother We Share.”

Happy Birthday to me (8/5): [email protected] (the unrepentant Leo).