By Karen Glauber

I watched Tuesday night’s Presidential debate on a JetBlue flight from NYC, doing my best to not kick the screen when Trump spouted lie after lie. After years of exposure to this horrible person, nothing is surprising, not even the bullshit about eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio. Kamala watched him unravel, doing her best not to say, “What the fuck,” which might remind you of your interactions with PDs these days.

You, dear label person, can see the proverbial writing on the wall, but radio’s way of doing business is clouded by decades of special treatment, and while that’s amazing and likely justified (a long time ago), it is no longer sustainable. Sure, we’d love to deliver our biggest bands for whatever it is you need. My father didn’t love me, so I’ll jump through hoops to bring you my A+ players, except labels and managers are looking at the calendar a year in advance, and losing money in your market might not make sense. UNLESS—and this is a big one—you, dear programmer, have a relationship with management and behave in a way that they find reciprocal and respectful.

Without question, KROQ and ALT 98.7 will pull off magical holiday shows, even though it isn’t my year to help. The branding and legacy is there for both. Also, James Kurdziel in Chicago and Michelle Rutkowski in Milwaukee will have lineups worthy of their efforts. Mark Hamilton in Portland has his “December to Remember” shows, which I think is an incredible way of exposing his audience to new bands. I don’t know exactly what Live105 has planned, but I’m sure it will be fantastic.

All this stress, every year, and yet, it always comes together. If you’ve got a record that’s on the brink of happening, then shows are the next step to pushing it forward. If I had a band that was in setup mode for a new album, then a show is worth it. Or, if this is at the end of a successful campaign, then there’s every reason to show up and take a victory lap.

Most young artists, the ones who are streaming like crazy, don’t specifically understand what radio means, despite our promises that this “one” thing will have a huge impact.

Let’s talk about respect, shall we? When Chappell Roan yelled, “You shut the fuck up” to a photographer on the red carpet before the VMAs, after the photographer yelled, “Shut the fuck up” at her, every woman I know could relate to that flash of temper. When I read that Chappell yelled, “Don’t. Not me, bitch,” I was happy that she hasn’t chosen to tolerate the prevailing expectation that she “owes” anyone for her success. Women continue to be treated in a demeaning way, and it’s intolerable.

Massive props to Linkin Park for adding Emily Armstrong as their lead singer, with the new single “The Emptiness Machine” already Top 5 in one week. She’s amazing, and this song is epic.

Somewhere, there’s a photo of one of the Gallaghers, maybe Noel, strangling me on the rooftop of the London Hotel in West Hollywood prior to their first L.A. show at the Whisky. Oasis mania has completely passed me by, although I’m ecstatic that the Hoodoo Gurus will be in L.A. this month, and I also bought tickets to see Air, The The and Big Star. Just read today about Tindersticks touring next April, which makes me immeasurably happy—my nostalgia is clearly different than yours.

You have to know about Magdalena Bay’s “Image,” which is streaming 1m per day and is currently on the Spotify Viral Chart at #23. David Jacobs and Mom+Pop signed this artist, who, along with beabadoobee (100m album streams), is creating the biggest alternative footprint in the market. Go to the Lorem playlist on Spotify, where these artists rule.

SONG TO HEAR: Franz Ferdinand’s “Audacious.” This band never disappoints.