WAIM #135: Pete Ganbarg

By the time he was in middle school, Pete Ganbarg could spot a hit song. While the rest of his peers were dancing and hanging out with girls while the music played, Ganbarg wondered if what he was listening to was “a hit. Perhaps even more peculiarly, Pete was obsessed with why something was a hit or not. Since that moment, Pete Ganbarg has been fixated on what really makes up a hit song.As he points out in our talk, just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it’s great. And, in much the same way, just because something is great, doesn’t mean that it will become popular. Ganbarg has spent his adult life and his whole career trying to thread the needle, seeking out acts that are both great, and that have the potential to be a smash success.Ganbarg fell into an A & R job almost by accident. His taste and his confidence in what he liked and why impressed a record executive enough to offer him a job. That coincidental hire led to a sixteen year career at Atlantic Records, where Ganbarg oversaw some of the most commercially successful albums of the CD era.With his vast experience and impressive rolodex, Ganbarg began working on Rock & Roll High School, his terrific podcast that features interviews with folks from across the musical spectrum about both their work and their lives. The show, now in its fifth season, delicately balances the hidden stories of artists, and their work, while also offering a window into the mind and life of a wide range of great musicians.During our conversation, Ganbarg and I cover one of the great regrets of his A & R career, and we hit upon why knowing the history of rock and roll is still crucial for young people entering the music business. Pete also explains why curation and taste are even more important in the age of the algorithm.A quick production; I had some Zoom connection issues during my chat with Pete. There will be a choppy edit or two, but it’s nothing that will distract from the conversation. So, here now are me and the A& R legend that is Pete Ganbarg.Let’s get into it.Cheers,Matty C--------------------End CreditsThanks so much to Pete for joining me. You can find his terrific podcast, Rock & Roll High School wherever you get your pods, or at https://www.rockschoolpodcast.com/The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C. Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. BaldwinYou can subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts. Please be sure to like, rate and review the show if you enjoy it. Our work is solely sponsored by listeners and readers like you. Please lend your support today with a paid subscription at whatamimaking.substack.com/. Now is a crucial time for new paid subscribers. Please step up and support the show. You can email the show anytime at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voicemail with your questions or concerns at speakpipe.com/whatamimaking Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe