The Emerging Artist Series: some samples

I am positively smitten with my gig at MIKE FM. This local station is one of the only commercial radio stations in Canada committed to playing local talent (without the CRTC barking up their tree to play some). I’m the one they’ve hired to track down this local talent and promote artists with weekly interviews.

After a meeting with my boss last week, we decided to up the interview from 4-ish to 6-ish minutes, in order to go into greater depth with the artist. I’m happy about this - my show comes on during the drive-in hours of MIKE FM, where the programmers play hit singles from the 80s and 90s. The hit-single listeners aren’t always so keen on hearing something new and a little different. One of the challenges of my job has been to make my interviews palatable and informative to my audience, while really giving the artist a chance to talk about their work with integrity. A six minute interview gives us a lot more time to get all cozy and comfy, and I’m hella stoked.

Another challenge has been to veer off the beaten path of the already un-beaten path. There are so many “obvious” choices that spring to mind for me when I think “emerging artist,” and it’s important that I branch out beyond the network of musicians I know either through friends, through indyish, or through personal taste. I’m starting to dig a little deeper on myspace, looking for those hidden gems I’m less likely to stumble upon on a laptop-date at the cagibi. The great news is that people are adding me on myspace. Oh, the power of networks…what magic. It makes my job so much easier when people approach me to do an interview, and suggests that the show is actually reaching people.

What I love most about this gig is that it helps everyone. Artists are always grateful for the exposure, and I’m always grateful for yet another week of programming done.

Add me on myspace if you’d like to come on the show!! Check out the page to learn more about what we’re all about! www.myspace.com/emergingartistseriesradio

Here are three selections of past interviews I did. The artists are:
Soph-eye, a killer Montreal hip-hop/r&b artist.
Tim Van de Ven, a drummer/producer/songwriter/allroundniceguy
James Finnerty, singer-songwriter and indyish Sound God

Take a listen!

 

 Interview with Soph-eye: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Interview with Tim Van de Ven: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Interview with James Finnerty: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download