Self-Fulflling Prophecy: Jay Adelberg

In 1988, the first Hot Topic store was opened, giving birth to an outlet for a culture barely at its beginning. Since then, the company has expanded, now with 630 stores total.
From the moment one enters a Hot Topic at their local mall, they almost can't help letting their eyes bulge out of their sockets, though who could when you first see the walls covered in shirts with bands and logos across them? With jewelry for piercings they didn't even know existed? And music that they believed to only be on their iPod, seeing as the bands didn't get the deserved radio-play, blasting from all different directions?
This is the experience anyone will recieve when they step into a Hot Topic, along with being greeted by a typically cheergul and helpful employee.
The store has not only found commercial success, but has also become part of a culture, often part of a stereotype (emo/goth).
Of course, there has to be someone behind the many trends the stores see within a month; someone has to choose what merchandise consumers have to choose from. That person is Jay Adelberg, Hot Topic's Head Buyer of Music and Music Accessories; in other words, the man who picks out the accessories you wear and the music in your CD player (if you still have one, that is).
"I am responsible for choosing what merchandise and what music releases we will carry in our stores, when we will carry them, and how many units of each we will buy," Adelberg explains. "With accessories, I decide what level of support to give the item and figure out how to buy from there. For music releases, it basically is worthy of running in our listening booth program or it only goes in the 100 or so stores that carry additional music titles. All 639 stores carry a forty-title listening booth, but only 100 or so stores carry additional music titles like smaller new releases or catalog titles."
At just 38 years of age, it's almost astounding at how much power Adelberg truly has over the Hot Topic consumer. He has acquired the ability ever parent and adult in the world has craved since the children around them hit puberty--he can control what they choose to buy and what they choose to wear (though indirectly).
Adelberg began working for Hot Topic fifteen years ago (this September). After working in record stores in addition to being a university student and musician (Adelberg has been playing the drums for twenty years), he was a Hot Topic manager for three years. "The old music buyer took a shine to me because I was taking advantage of Hot Topic's open communication policies. The HQ encouraged those of us working in the field to communicate with them about new bands or trends we saw in our hometowns. I was a punk-rock show promoter, so I was emailing about these brand new bands I was booking and that people were responding to. I lived in Connecticut at the time (where I grew up) and was the first person to book shows in Connecticut for bands such as Saves the Day, Thursday, Boysetfire, New Found Glory, and the like and could see these bands had lots of potential to get big. I was right about that frequently, so it got me noticed at the Hot Topic headquarters."
After years of practice, Adelberg got very quick at identifying the quality of a band. "It's weird, I have been doing this so long, sometimes I just know the goods when I see and hear the goods. [I]t's like a weird sicth sense. I'm not always right too, so it's not the most reliable sixth sense," he laughs. "I can often telly by the packaging of their demo and press kit. Beginner stuff just shows through very easily."
Of course, if you'd like to avoid the same fate, Adelberg suggests not "spamming the Hot Topic Facebook or leaving multiple, rambling messages." "I get many, many emails and phone calls from bands convinced that they will be the next big thing, if only I will put their music release in our stores. The odds are not with any of these bands; if I had a nickel for every one of those bands who never amounted to a hill of beans, I could retire on my giant pile of nickels, you know? I am hard-pressed to believe that it's because of me that they failed too.
"The best advice I can give is to always make sure there is someone in your band who could at a moment's notice take over the duties of your manager or agent. If you don't have such a person in your band, that means there are people out there working on behalf of your band and you have no idea what they are up to. Very dangerous. Also, at the same time, don't get a manager or agent until you absolutely need one."
However, despite such experience, when asked if he allows his personal music taste affect what he buys for the stores, Adelberg responds with good humor and a laugh. "Absolutely not. I know that I am not the Hot Topic target consumer at 38 years old. I make sure I understand all the bands we sell, but personally, I don't listen to a great number of them. Similarly, I know that if I really, really like a band, it probably means it's not good for us to carry it!"
While Adelberg believes originality will get a band quite far in terms of success and sales, he admits that looks do come into the "very, very political music industry." "It's sad but true that what a band looks like often makes a difference on how people will react to them. Often, the younger the demographic a band appeals to, the more important their look is. Take a band like Black Veil Brides, for example; their look is an integral part of what they do. Same with bands like Blood on the Dance Floor. For a band like Foster the People, who have an older audience, you can see much less effort put into having an extreme look. These bands know their target audience, and dress accordingly."
For every person desperate to be in the spotlight as a musician, there is a person who craves the behind-the-scenes action of jobs such as Adelberg's. "Find a good company whose product you believe in and start working on the retail level so you know the product well," he recommends. "[For example,] if you like sports or sneakers, go work at a sports shoe store for a bit. If you like fashion, work at H&M or Urban Outfitters. Find out who the people at the company HQ are and reach out to them, start a relationship by discussing the business and such. This will put you on their radar. It worked for me. You don't need to have an agenda at first, don't force it. Just try to build a relationship casually and organically."
Overall, Adelberg has proven that hard-work and confidence (NOT cockiness) make a winning combination that can open numerous doors.
"My parents always gave me this piece of advice growing up, and it's worked wonders for me: 'Find something that you absolutely love to do, and find someone to pay you to do that. You'll never be unhappy.' Also, and this is advice from me, remember that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think you are going to fail, you will. Don't rely on luck or good fortune, if you want something in your life, you go out there and make it happen for yourself. It's the only way."
SEE MORE HERE!

BRIGHT AND EARLY: GETTING THROUGH IT

[EDIT: Posted this a few days ago and have now deleted and added some links for you all!]
Bright And Early is a pop-punk five-piece from Philadelphia. The band is set to release their EP, “Bright And Early,” on the 18th. Planet Stereo managed to score listening rights to the EP over the weekend and we’re going to give you an exclusive review so you know what to expect from the four-track EP, “Getting Through It.”
The beginning of the EP starts off with “Stick By Me,” a melodic acoustic track, with solid vocals that convey an awesome amount of passion with every line.
In comparison, “Rule Of Three” is a bitter anthem with an upbeat rhythm, a complete paradox, if you will. With biting words of clarity and awareness, the song sinks into the ears skin and projects the energy with every note. The song, despite its tone, is clever and quick on its feet, keeping listeners on their toes.
“For What It’s Worth” is energetic, with a classic-feel behind the well-crafted lyrics, and sure to be a song that plays on numerous listening-devices on repeat. Though the track is pleading, it is a versatile track and could be considered a “break-up anthem,” a plea for understanding, or just the perfect song to keep you wide awake on those long drives. “For What It’s Worth” is definitely the most note-worthy track on the EP and a definite song to keep your ears open for.
“Selling Yourself Short” is bitter and questioning, but manages to avoid sucking the listener into a sad story; rather, the song is a fervent display of desperation with an buoyant tune to keep the vitality up.
The EP as a whole is fabulous, with passionate vocals and wonderful melodies. “Getting Through It” showcases Bright And Early’s musical talents in a subtle and creative way, with the band approaching the EP in a far less polished manner than many of their genre-mates. The EP is raw and undeniably potent, a quality many works seem to lack, be it due to the over-polished production of the industry or the false sincerity in each note. However, Bright And Early spark emotion and seem to play each note with a powerful sense of realness, making the EP personable. But before you turn your head and point up your nose, claiming you want “fun” music, the EP is catchy and a reminder of the initial purpose of a genre that seems to have lost its touch in the recent years.
Rawness delivered on “Getting Through It” is becoming increasingly difficult to find and is almost impossible to buy; thankfully, you can buy the EP on the 18th of this month. [EDIT: YOU CAN BUY IT RIGHT HERE!]
Bright And Early are also known for putting on an amazing live show, and you’re in luck, because they are currently on tour with Squid The Whale. Be sure to check the tour dates and go catch them live…after you download their EP, of course.