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Archive for the ‘radio’ Category

Interviews: Champion, The Dudes, Vince Vaccaro

Posted in music, radio, The Zone @ 91-3 on September 28, 2009| 3 Comments »

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* picture of Champion stolen without a gun from NxEW Blog

Talked about adding some more interviews and performances on ye old blog today.  So here they are.

Download: Champion Interview

Download: The Dudes Interview + Performance
Download: The Dudes – “Small Mercies” [song]

Download: Vince Vaccaro Interview + Performance

The interview with Champion was very fun even if a little scattered.  The email I got said he’d be by on Friday but low-and-behold I recieved a phone call Thursday night after everyone has gone home from the radio factory saying Champion is at the door waiting to be let up!

The Dudes have been by the Zone a few times and I enjoy chatting with them.  Such groovy guys.  In this interview we talk about their cursed BMX bike and what it did to one band member’s face!  They perform a song called “Small Mercies” and then we end by talking about their new project Dojo Workhorse.

My final interview is with local rocker Vince Vaccaro.  He talks about the successes he had on the road supporting Bedouin Soundclash as a solo artist playing by his lonesome.

Tomorrow, I have a very busy Capital Rock City.  I hope you return tomorrow to download the show.

That’s all I got, go with yourself.

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Interviews: Said the Whale and A Trophy Life

Posted in music, radio, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2009| Leave a Comment »

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* picture stolen without a gun from NxEW Blog

Wow, Rifflandia is currently crushing Victoria and creating such a wonderful vibe in the city.

Mike Devlin wrote a better article about the energy of Rifflandia than I ever could so read that to get the jist of what is happening in our Garden City.

All this rock and roll coming through the port of Swartz Bay has been good for my radio show.  I was visited by no less than than 5 musical troubadours and ensembles.  I collected a few downloads for you today.  Please have a listen to the interview and music of Said the Whale and A Trophy Life.

On Monday I’ll post my interview with Champion and my interview and performances from Vince Vaccaro and The Dudes.

Download: Said the Whale Interview + Performance
Download: Said the Whale – “Camilo (The Magician)” [song]

Download: A Trophy Life Interview + Performance
Download: A Trophy Life – “Samsonite (I was Way Off)” [song]
Download: A Trophy Life – “New Song” [song]

I was very impressed by how great A Trophy Life sounded stripped down in the studio.  If you’re new to that band, their acoustic songs won’t disappoint so take a chance and download the tracks.

On Monday we’ll find out about The Dudes’ cursed BMX bike and what it did to the face of one of them, why they love Victoria (and hate Winnipeg), their new side project Dojo Workhorse a live performance.

Champion did not perform but the interview with him in good times with his crazy French Canadian accent.

Vince performs my favourite of his songs, “Costa Rica.”

Go with yourself.

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does it lessen your affection

Posted in music, radio, The Zone @ 91-3, tagged , , , , , , , on September 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »

I am going to start with a couple emails today, my man Geoff talking about yesterday’s post about some bands I am jiving on including The xx:

“I like the xx disc but I know a few people who won’t even give it a listen because of the whole pitchforkmedia thing. pitchfork giveth and it taketh away.”

I thought that was a neat thought.  Its almost as if Pitchfork is becoming is a parody of itself.

I replied:

its as if them liking something is the kiss of death for a band. But I don’t care, generally if they really like something, there is something there to like. And even the records they pan, they generally write in a way that can still intrigue me. I remember when Silversun Pickups came out and Pitchfork gave it a “meh” review, they did it in a way that I read it and went, “you know, that might be something I like!”

Some feedback from a Zoner named Megan in regards to this week’s contest to win Stone Temple Pilots concert tickets…. which doesn’t have a clever name.  uh oh, bad DJ am I.  Basically I unleash the power of the FM dial and encode a “secret” message on either the left or right channel.  you need to pan your stereo right or left to hear it.  Megan is into it except… MONO stereo!  ahhhhh

“Hey! I have to say, the Stone Temple Pilots ‘beat the box office’ contest is cool, with the secret code and everything. But, I listen to the zone everyday” at work on my headphones, and it doesn’t work on headphones!! I get both messages in both ears. So, I am at an unfair disadvantage, tho I am a huge and religiously loyal zone fan!! Just sayin!”

I hope she figures it out, because today… the code is extra, extra special!

Lastly a message from local Victoria manabouttown JP Maurice.  He is part of a hip hop crew? sure crew, called The CFC and they have a new video for their song “City Drift.”  Listen for “City Drift” next week on Capital Rock City with songs from Purple Grimus, Rabbit and likely more Laundronauts/Steph Macpherson/Forestry.  Whoa, so much good new local music to get at…

Go with yourself.

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Wayback Guy // Live Forever

Posted in radio, tagged , , , , on September 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »

BC-TV-CBC-RETRO

Where the Wayback Guy takes us on a journey 600 years into an apocalyptic future and we meet his robot friend.

Download: Wayback Guy Lives Forever
Song: Oasis – “Live Forever”

Wayback Guy is produced by Sheldon Hovde.

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Interviews: Silversun Pickups and Cage the Elephant

Posted in music, radio, tagged , , , , , , , on August 19, 2009| 1 Comment »

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thanks Two for the awesome pictures. *all pictures are from Two in this post.

Monday night had a trifecta (I don’t know if that is a word or not), Monday night had three great modern rock bands invade our Island for a show at The Royal Theatre.

Before the concert all three bands came by The Zone to hang out and The Silversun Pickups and Cage The Elephant made it to The ZAS.

Here is the audio of their interviews/live performances.

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Check out the stream of the event at http://thezone.fm/jeremy

we had some technical issues during the Silversun Pickups of our broadcast feed (which is what this recording is of) so the first couple songs are heavily distorted which is a real shame.  The end of the performance is decent.

The interview with SSPU was a little more awkward as we couldn’t hear each other too wel and were on a stage with everyone, so it takes me a second to get comfortable… so yeah, first half of the interview is a little weak and I apologize for that, but our second talk about the recoding process half way through the set is a little bit better.  Brian gets all James Hetfield at the performance and away we go.  Brian is singing/guitars and Nikki is playing bass.

They perform four songs:

01) “Growing Old is Getting Old” (worst of the audio)
02) “Panic Switch”
talk about recording/song craftsmanship/drilling holes in pianos
03) “Substitution”
04) “Lazy Eye” (best of the audio)

After the show on Monday, you might have found the SSPU playing bubble hockey in the Games Room of the Strathcona Hotel.


Check out the stream of the event at http://www.thezone.fm/jeremy

Matt Schultz and I talk about who he likes better, SSPU or Manchester Orchestra, what is better? a tour bus or hotel room, what are some of his favourite bands, who is he singing about in the song “In One Ear” and what is the best part of the great state of Kentucky.

I thought the interview was alright, but later that night at the Royal, I ran into Matt (he was hanging out drinking and watching the other bands in the seats with all us plebes) he was very apologetic.

After the show the groups was off to drink at local peeler bar The Fox.  (and Manchester Orchestra was at Smiths for pints).

The band performed a couple songs with brother Brad and guitarist Lincoln.

set:

01) “Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked”
02) “Back Against the Wall”

I hope you enjoy.

Read Mike Devlin’s Review in the Times Colonist
Two’s Flickr inclusing pics of CTE and SSPU
Two’s Vimeo of the live performances

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Go with yourself.

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holiday Monday

Posted in neat-O gang, radio, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

I enjoyed an amazing BC Day weekend.  Saturday, my fiancee Coral and I took Madelyn to Beacon Hill Park to feed the ducks then off to Bear Mountain Stadium to watch the Victoria Rebels defeat the Okanagan Sun 34-21 in their football season opener.  Sunday we trucked off to Lake Cowichan for a day of swimming, beach, boating and sun.  I am a little sun burned.  The playlist for the drive up included Coral’s current fave, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Zero,” some Cage the Elephant, Phoenix, Interpol, Japandroids and The Rural Alberta Advantage.  Plus some electro sounding Hadoukan!

Monday, back to it broadcasting a BC Day holiday program.

Holidays are always a little slow on the Zone Phone (250-475-0913) but my-oh-my, the first three phone calls set up a “one of those” type of days moment.

The first call was some champion trying to be funny, “why do all radio DJs sound the same?”

Then someone wanted to know if it was true that Lady Gaga is of The Third Sex?

and finally, Hep C outbreak at Thetis Lake.

Those were my first three calls sitting down for a BC Day afternoon… ahhh good times.

Download: BC Day on the Zone Phone

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Your Audience is Out There, Eat Their Brains!

Posted in life or something like it, neat-O gang, radio, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Dead Eyes Open

I’ve always had the idea or the dream to start my own radio station.  You know, be the creator, not the labour.  The barriers to fire up your very own flamethrower are significant if your name is not Ted Rogers but I don’t think it is impossible.

I have a couple theories on how I’d do it on a small scale that could/should earn me a living while providing a unique radio experience for whoever is in range to tune in.

Last night I was up late researching some technologies to launch my station and also reading about the riveting world of radio advertising.

While researching how much radio costs, and why it is effective… I somehow spun off topic into the world of Zombie comic publishing.

Turned out to be an inspiring read from a man that created a comic that is a little avant garde by even Zombie comic readers standards.

He posted on a  forum looking for advise on how to market his quirky comic.  His elevator pitch was brutal so it is hard for me to explain what his comic is about (which maybe is step one for the man), but the advise from the community was/is great.

Low-Cost Marketing Ideas for an Off-Beat Graphic Novel

The authors name is Matt Shepherd and his day job is as an advertising copy writer, nice.  By night, he makes comics.

His Zombie comic is Dead Eyes Open and from what I can gather, its a Zombie comic about a man who is a rational father, but also a member of the undead! ahhhhhh!

Matt, being the artist has created a world, found a publisher, published his book, was not happy with its sales, took matters into his own hands and went vigilante marketer.

He now posts his comic for free on the above Dead Eyes Open link for you to read with artists commentary and of course… a link to buy it, if you like Matt’s comic.

What I liked about reading all the ideas on marketing and reading Matt’s story is the possibility.  Matt had a unique idea, was passionate about it, and did it.  He found an audience for his very bizarrely special story.  There is an audience out there for every story.

Go with yourself.

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Watching: BBC Promo – “Perfect Day”

Posted in music, radio, tagged , , on July 6, 2009| 1 Comment »

Wow, Cassie shared this with me today.

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I will surprise you sometime/I’ll come around

Posted in music, radio, tagged , , , on July 5, 2009| 8 Comments »

Some favourite music this week according to my Last FM page.

reckoning

01) R.E.M.

One of my all-time favourite bands had a strong week in at home listening powered by a review I read on Pitchfork. Pitchfork reviewed the classic R.E.M. record ‘Reckoning.’  I don’t have that disc on my laptop but I do have a compilation of 80s era R.E.M. that has more than a couple ‘Reckoning’ cuts on it.  I love the tracks “7 Chinese Bros.” “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” and “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville.”

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02) Wilco

Wilco has a new album out now, their 7th or 8th depending who you ask.  I downloaded this record because it turns out… I must have like 4 or 5 Wilco records.  I never really considered myself a fan till I started paying attention to what I listen to on my playlists and when I randomize a set.  If Wilco pops up, I have to stop to go check out who the band is.

Listening to new Wilco made me nostalgic for an old Wilco song I have from the Jim Carrey film, ‘Me, Myself, and Irene.’  The song is “Any Major Dude Will Tell You.”  That might be the first time I ever had to stop and go, “hey what was that?”

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03) Interpol

I never get tired of their first album, ‘Turn on the Bright Lights.’  To me, every song is special but I truly love the opening cut, “Untitled.”

I will surprise you sometime
I’ll come around
When you’re down

simple lyrics (that is basically it), very moody, tense and sexual.

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04) Lou Reed

My weekend guy… I suppose I blogged about him yesterday a bit.  Sometimes I get the song “Perfect Day” in my head so fiercly, I have to listen to Lou Reed like two or three times in a row before I can move on to the next song.  Isn’t that pathetic?

***

I haven’t felt very good the past couple days? weeks?  but today I woke feeling chipper!  I usually feel creatively bankrupt come Friday.  I hop in the studio to jam out the modern rock countdown and I also have usually a fairly good ‘to-do’ list of commercial projects.  By the time I go on the air at 3PM, the last thing I want to do is make a really good radio show.  On top of that, I read this book that at first was inspiring, but after a few days to settle in… I asked myself some honest questions and I didn’t like the answers… damn word in a book! damn you!

What tends to happen is either or both:

The request time at 6PM rips and it makes me happy for humanity again AND/or I go out to the pub in Langford and meet so many great Zoners.  Then all weekend, I can’t wait to hop on the radio again on Monday to repeat the cycle.

I was thinking about why I like making the countdown so much (which is a half truth because I also hate it).  I love making the countdown because it is created in the studio.  I can take some time with the breaks, add a soundtrack, find clips, use my best callers from the week.  The one thing I don’t like about the show is that its not live.  But live makes the show rushed.

I was thinking of trying some of the things that I like about the countdown and incorporating it into the live show.  It’ll require a little more focus, but maybe I’ll give it a try and see how it sounds.

***

Coral has been hard at work this weekend with her girlfriends and sister working on the invitations for our wedding.  They look specatacular!  Can’t wait to show them off.

***

Go with yourself.

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Inside the Producers Studio :: Dave Sawchuk

Posted in radio, tagged , , , on May 16, 2009| 1 Comment »

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Click and Listen to: Inside the Producers Studio – Dave Sawchuk

I don’t know if this will be a regular feature or not, but the above audio snip is from some “tape” that I had for a commercial I made for Soprano’s.  Everyday before my radio show, I come a few hours early, and sometimes our producer Sheldon gives me a couple commercials to make.  Helps me keep my skills up in case I need to fill in for Sheldon.  I’m not very good so I generally get basic spots to craft… and usually Sheldon has already recorded the announcer.  When I get the audio to make the spot, it is never edited or a simple read of the copy.  There is always some sort of story or banter that Sheldon has with the “talent.”  I always chop it out to make the commercial obviously, but sometimes the little stories are interesting and the people telling them forget they’re being recorded.  Since the announcers are very comfortable and having a real one-on-one conversation with Sheldon, the style is different than you might find on a radio show and I personally find them interesting.

As I find stuff worth sharing, I’ll post it here as “Inside the Producers Studio.”

oh and that band… Norglen?  Here they are.

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