Karen Doran

Tell us a bit about the career path that led to where you are now.

Working in PR for Hollywood Films – also doing some Music PR. Got a job offer to work at Paramount Pictures. Same day my current business partner, who was head of Radio Promotion at IRS and Ark 21 Records, called and asked me to go into business. We ended up starting Evolution Promotion and our passion is in artist development…20 years strong!

Why does college/community radio matter in today’s fragmented environment?

College radio has always been on the forefront of breaking new artists. College Radio listeners are the influencers of the next generation. With our artist development campaigns radio remains the most impactful.

What is your favorite experience you’ve had in your career? Perhaps a musical idol you got to meet? A festival you were able to attend? A project you were involved with promoting?

Kings of Leon live – they just rock…love the songs and love Rock ‘n’ Roll…great show

Worked a Marianne Faithfull release for Virgin Records…I have always been a huge fan of her music, books and story overall. After the gig, I found her in a private garden out back of the venue – everyone was looking for her for the “meet and greet” and she was like fuck the press – we sat there smoking cigarettes and she told me stories…It was surreal…they we took off! No press that night.

What band/artist outside the realm of college/community radio would people be surprised to hear you love?

Ludovico Einaudi – contemporary classical composer from Milan. Evolution has been promoting him for about 10 years. Once we got KCRW on board the launch exploded. An astounding talent, graces the POP charts in London with the likes of Beyonce. We tour with him and his audience is so diverse. We have the purple hair punks, young musical students, older folks and everything in between. Have never seen such crossover and love from fans. His success is purely organic.

What job do you think you would you be doing if you weren’t a promoter?

A starving Poet – Author!

What destination would you most like to visit and why?

Moscow – mysterious, interesting and beautiful. Would like to experience the culture first hand as opposed to what we are fed. Of course, dinner with Putin!

You just won a million dollars. What are you going to do with it?

Travel the Globe – experience as many cultures as possible…ending with a year on a tropical beach to chill.

What is/are your current favorite TV obsession(s)?  What is the best movie you have seen so far this year?

TV? I catch VICE news – their reporting style around the globe is perfect!

HOMELAND is my show…not too much TV other than that – Movies are my thing

Your Sisters Sister – Emily Blunt! Who I love. I like indie and foreign movies as opposed to blockbusters. I saw this on IFC this year – it’s not new but I love it – It’s a great example of what can happen when Tequila is in the room! Drama – Comedy.

Low Budget film that rocked and spotlights the INDIE SPIRIT IN THE ARTS.
Budget‎: ‎$125,000
Box office‎: ‎$3.2 million

When friends come to town, what is your favorite restaurant you take them to?

Starbucks ..they are all coffee junkies

You’re stranded on a desert island. What five well known people (dead or alive) would you like to have there with you?

Prince – to play guitar for me. I adore him…RIP
Amy Schumer to make me laugh my ass off.
Oscar Wild…for my poetry jones…he was a maniac…pure entertainment
Joaquin Phoenix – a master vegetarian and cool person…to find me lunch in the trees
Donald Trump to make the Island Great Again.