The Stats:
Name: Rob Salmon – Director of Music Programing / El Media Group / NYC
Programs: Tao Group, Delta Airlines, Zuma, Thompson Hotels
Q: How do you find music for your programs?
I spend alot of time shopping and researching music online. I really believe in finding my own music not blindly following what is trending. For music curation you need to have your own sense of style and vibe, I will use blogs as a meter of what is happening to get an idea of a genre/scene, but rely on my own experience and ears to make the final decision if a song will make it to a playlist. I shop at Itunes, Juno Download, Traxsource, Beatport and more recently Bandcamp, I really like the idea of buying straight from the source and the artist getting a more direct cut of the revenue. Records Pools/ Promo services I work with include Shoplifter, Fatdrop,Tailor Communication, Dispersion PR or direct promos from producers/labels.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite track that you think works in just about every retail program?
This is an oldie now… but Panama “Always” (CLASSIXX Remix) [Future Classic] seems to pop up more than a few times in my playlists!
Q: When you’re not programming music for stores, what are your interests and hobbies?
Music is pretty much 24/7 for me. I have been DJ ‘ing 20+ years.. so when I am not curating playlists, I DJ during the weekends and also Produce music when I have some time!
Q: What Shoplifter release are you currently loving?
Tropics – “Rapture”, Beirut – “Perth”, Django Django “First Light” are all in high rotation.