IVANA STRETCHES OUT WITH THE KILLERS, FRANZ FERDINAND, COHEED & CAMBRIA AND HANSON

FAILURE’S NOT FLATTERING: There are reasons why yoga is a perfect outlet for my elevated levels of tension and anxiety—no activity is as tailor-made for my body type, except maybe childbirth (which doesn’t exactly place high on my "list of things to do to alleviate stress"). There are even more reasons why I refuse to take group yoga classes—no, that wasn’t me you saw at Yoga Works, downward-dogging between Cindy Crawford and Kate Hudson—my biggest challenge with yoga is my complete lack of balance. I was not meant to stand on one leg—even two is a struggle. If this affliction was applicable to career endeavors, I’m not sure I’d be able to do what you do: program a balanced PoMo station. I’d be much happier standing on the left, as it were, while ignoring the right. Luckily for those of us who tend to favor that side over the other, the advent of "Neo Radio," and the unmitigated success of bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand, signifies that the typically wobbly side is gaining strength. Want an example without my resorting to any further analogies regarding my anatomy? I thought you might: Last week, Interpol’s new single, "Slow Hands," had 11 early adds, INCLUDING K-Rock, 99X, KNDD and KNRK, none of whom had played the last record. Those who were back on-board included KROQ, WHFS, Live105, WFNX, KBZT and WBTZ. This week, another 13 (lucky!) PoMo stations came in, including 91X, WPBZ, CD101, KMYZ, WAQZ, KRZQ and more, which would’ve been unthinkable on the last record, when the format was dominated by Nickelback and P.O.D. Now, two years later, Interpol is still "ahead of the curve," but at least there is an opportunity (albeit crowded) for them, and others (Secret Machines, The Explosion, The Music, Muse), to "compete" in this arena. Ultimately, of course, the audience will dictate whether or not this "new music" can redefine what is considered mainstream (just as long as programmers don’t allow antiquated methods of research to undermine this cultural shift). Despite three migraines and two hours of sleep in the past 24, I remain optimistic… A week ago, I was in NYC for a few brief hours, for meetings at K-Rock and MTV with my Matador Records friends, just as Coheed & Cambria mania was sweeping the city. K-Rock airplay on "A Favor House Atlantic" has led to huge phones and an immediate sales spike, just as it has across the country. This is one of those records where the audience has clearly spoken. Columbia’s ace promo staff has been relentless in its pursuit of "educating" programmers of Coheed’s significance, both current and future, to the format, including impressive adds this week from WXDX and KDGE! One programmer, who shall remain nameless, is most impressed that Coheed has its own comic book, not that you’d ever suspect a radio guy would be into stuff like that… My attempt to join the legion of Oedipus fans at his WBCN "retirement" party was irrevocably thwarted by a lightning storm (and the cancellation of all flights leaving LaGuardia). Gaby Skolnek, two days into her latest endeavor, was enlisted to "represent" on my behalf, while I waited for a break in the weather that never came. Oedipus was the first commercial radio programmer I ever had a conversation with about music: I had just started at A&M when we were on a panel together at a Boston Rock convention. I had no idea of his importance in the realm of the music business; I just wanted to meet him because he had produced the first Real Kids single! We bonded over our love of the Dream Syndicate, and 20 years later, I still revere his musical instincts. He was the very first programmer to add Interpol’s "PDA," as a matter of fact. And he’s only yelled at me once (followed by the requisite silent treatment), which I regard as a badge of honor… The Curiosa date in Chicago was marred by Muse’s last-minute cancellation due to a sports-related injury. I sent an IM expressing my disappointment to Rob Goldklang back in L.A., while trying to find extra layers of clothing to brace for the rain and unseasonably freezing temps. Alas, I wasn’t able to procure a hoodie until the Hanson show at House of Blues later that evening, but I digress. While I was watching my extremities turn blue from the cold, Rob was launching the new Muse single "Hysteria" to #1 Most Added this week! Will the guitar player be healed in time for KROQ’s Inland Invasion 4 in a month? I’d be happy to fill in for him, since it means I’d get to be thisclose to Morrissey, Devo (my heroes), Siousxie, Tears for Fears, X, Death Cab for Cutie, The Walkmen and the other AMAZING bands playing this show! I’ll just play the beginning of "Roundabout" until somebody notices… Next week, it’s all about The Music and The Explosion or vice versa, depending on whether you’re Bill Carroll or Ted Volk…. SONG TO HEAR: Rilo Kiley’s "It’s A Hit"… PEOPLE TO WATCH: Jeremy Goldstein, Chris Ripley, Robert Smith’s pizza, Howard Leon, Carly Brown, John "GQ" Farneda, Jenni "Funky Hobbit" Sperandeo, Lisa Worden, Steve Nice, Howie Miura and Bob Waugh.