Seven Questions with...Diana Miller, Talent Executive - 'Last Call with Carson Daly'

2) There are a lot of people out there who blog about music just for the fun of it, but most of those people don't already have a very cool job in music. Why did you decide to start the blog? How much time goes into it?

FUN. I was originally just looking for a creative hobby. I figured I could learn how to knit or start a blog. Starting a music blog felt more constructive. I have a constant desire to spread the word about great music (obviously). I am always making mixes for my friends and family, and I love telling them about a new song or artist I'm excited about. I thought a blog would be a great way to communicate music ideas to my friends and anyone who is interested. At the top of my blog there's a quote "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. It's a really stupid thing to want to do." I love that quote and totally agree with it. That's why my blog is all about LOOK! LISTEN! WATCH! and not so much READ. "Listeners Also Bought" is a much better tool then an essay from me describing what the music sounds like.

I also thought fans of the show might be interested. It shows a human side to Last Call.. It's proof that there isn't an NBC suit with a copy of SoundScan booking the bands. I even use my blog as a tool to pitch new artists to Carson and my EP. Each post is like an artist’s cliff notes. Who they are, a few pictures, key tracks they can stream, maybe a video and some relevant or interesting info. I make"Pitch Mixes" for Carson and My EP. I post them on iTunes and on my blog so everyone can see who we are considering.

I read A LOT of blogs, magazines, websites. I love them, and would be lost without them but find that many are very 'insider" and overwhelming to the average music listener. A lot of the reviews and posts seem "theoretical" like" "so-and-so has a new record" so theoretically "you should check it out." That type of informative reporting needs to exist, and at the end of the day, everyone is going to make their own judgement but I think it's also good to have a source of music information with a voice. Ones that do can be pretentious, and wouldnt dare post about how they can’t stop listening to the new Britney.

I wanted to create a blog that was simple and an easy way to find inspiration for new music to download. Fresh ideas, without all the clutter. You can check out a new artist, or skip the posts and click over to my itunes iMixes and browse playlists to buy music. It's for people that might not typically read music blogs. It’s about music that people are actually listening to, or would want to listen to. I'd never post a song or feature an artist that isn't in my car.

It's not all new music. Some of it might be just new to you, previously undiscovered or an old forgotten song. There's so much great music that I listen to that doesn't qualify for a booking.. They band might have broken up or not have a new record. They could be touring japan or dead. The music industry overall focuses only on NEW. The main objective is selling records. Period. But as a listener, that has nothing to do with you. Your ears don't care if it’s a song from 1963 or 2009. Good music is good music, and any song can be new, or re-newed. I Listen to Everything give me an opportunity to talk about good music without limits.

The blog takes up a LOT more time then i thought! I’ll admit there are moments when i think “what have i gotten myself into?” or “Is anyone even going to read this?” But the great feeback I’ve gotten keeps me going. I’m hoping now that it’s set up and I have taught myself a little HTML code 101, it won’t be as much of a time commitment. The ideas are easy, it’s what i do for a living anyway. I spend a stupid amount of time looking for cool pictures.

3) I know that The Airborne Toxic Event made their television debut on Carson Daly, are there any other bands that you are proud to say you booked them their first national TV appearance?

YES! TONS! That’s what we do. Debuting new bands/artists is the name of the game. Every week we book bands who have never done TV. It’s a big source of pride for us, and part of the identity of the show. We’ve premiered a range of artists from Katy Perry to Grizzly Bear.

It’s an great feeling to book a new artist that nobody has ever heard of who gives an amazing performance. There is this feeling of "wait until the rest of the world gets a look at this."

I'm actually working on a post highlighting the past 8 years (yes we've been on for 8 years!) of awesome music on Last Call. It will list of BIG the bands we had their tv debut on Last Call (The Killers), or if not first- very early on (Kanye West), legends that have done the show (Lou Reed), and funny stories (the Hives). I'll even mention some misses (Angie Martinez) So stay tuned for that..

4) What five acts, it can be anyone (dead, alive, disbanded, reunited, in rehab, whatever) would book for a dream week of shows?

David Bowie, Morrissey, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, The Cure ... oh wait... they have all done the show. Seriously, my dream bookings: Nirvana, Radiohead, Madonna, Daft Punk and Led Zeppelin

5) This is a two-parter: I am sure there are a lot of readers out there who are either in bands and want to be on the show or are music lovers who want to become a late-night show booker. So first, if someone out there has a band, what should they do to get on your radar, and what should they never do? Secondly, what advice do you have to people out there who would like to do what you do?

There’s really no right answer. It’s a reciprocal relationship. Great bands are looking for our attention, and we are looking for them. My advice would be TOUR A LOT. Play in front of different audiences and build a strong fan base. When you get to a point where you are playing sold-out shows with fans going crazy for you.. there’s no denying or ignoring. Fans are very powerful. The music industry today favors artists that develop from the bottom up, not the other way around. Use the internet.. be creative and original. Be a great performer. I book for TV, not radio, so a great live performance is key. Nothing worse then a boring performance at 2am. I’m a sucker for “performance artists” like Fisherspooner or crazy bands like Mindless Self Indulgence. That’s great TV. It’s not just about tempo. We had Adele on the other day. Her talent and voice is absolutely captivating. But when you have that.. you don't need my advice. The world will find you.

what should they never do?
Have an attitude. Nobody wants to work with a new artist who’s an asshole. Don’t be difficult or unreliable. That stuff doesn’t fly anymore

In regards to people who would like to do what I do: Be a really good intern. Pay your dues. Be resourceful, sharp and easy to work with. Be aggressive, but not annoying. Have enough confidence to have an opinion, but not too much where you have an ego... and be smart enough to know the difference.

Booking music is way more then good taste in music. To be a successful booker you need great relationships, a good work ethic and an ability to look past your own taste and see the bigger picture. It’s not just about you.

6) What is your favorite concert venue in LA?

The Hollywood Bowl

7) What has surprised you the most about working with Carson? One thing that surprised you or that you are impressed with about him, that you might not have known if you didn't have this job.

I love working with Carson. I’ve been working with him for 8 years, so there is a high level of trust, which I covet. He loves taking risks, and would rather take a chance and miss.. then not try and miss out. It’s not uncommon for us to have a conversation that starts with “am i crazy?” or “is this band awesome or awful?” The music booking process is an ongoing conversation, and exchange of ideas, not a yes or no list.

He is obsessed with music just like me, and we are most often in agreement about music bookings. We both drool over the Kings of Leon and MGMT, and care more about talent then name value. “I don't care how many records they’ve sold. That band is terrible. ” That’s a direct quote and a quality I love about him.

What surprises me? After 8 years of knowing someone, there are not many surprises, but I'm sure there's a lot about him that would surprise someone who doesn't know him. He's cool, very easy going, funny and very nice to everyone. If i had to think of one thing it would probably be that he loves ROCK. Like real rock. Perhaps it doesn't surprise me as much as it facinates me since it's not what i grew up listening to. I like to think I know all areas of music, but he schools me in that genre. If you see an “I LISTEN TO Rock” post, now you’ll know my source..