Last week, I stepped into Novena’s shoes for a couple of days to host Morning Becomes Eclectic. ICYMI, we go live on YouTube during the 10 o’clock hour now… Rain or shine, no exceptions (more of my conflicted thoughts about this in a bit). During that hour, you get the full BTS experience and see how the magic happens, or in my case, whether or not I fall out of the chair. Novena, on the other hand, is our 10 AM, feel-good dancing queen. The chat is wildly entertaining, and it’s a blast talking to you and seeing your responses to the music in real time. It makes our connection feel even stronger. Def join in… even though I’m about to share some mixed feelings.
My personal comfort zone is on mic and off camera. Fellow music travelers, there's nothing like finding out that you are going to be live DJ-ing on YouTube during Morning Becomes Eclectic to give you an existential crisis about your skin care routine and wardrobe choices! Pro-tip: Ohtani jersey is always on point.
Once upon a time, I had a job interview to be a news anchor at the legendary “You give us 22 minutes, we’ll give you the world” KFWB here in LA (another story for another time). It was a fascinating peek into what felt like an old school 1960s newsroom — Mary Tyler Moore/Murray Slaughter style — everyone in shirts and ties, ripping news off the wire. The GM could feel my apprehension, and not just because I was decades younger than everyone else. Newsflash: I’m a DJ, not Diane Sawyer. He made me feel better by saying that working at KFWB was “a stepping stone into television.” The next moments were a blur of politely running as fast as I could toward the exit.
I know I’m being a little dramatic. Video has become a huge part of sharing music and our stories in places beyond the radio. Sam Sanders is a blast to watch, so are our live performances, and (of course) that aforementioned 10 AM hour of MBE.
Adapting to the on-camera of it all was an adjustment, but ultimately quite special. This past Monday was special for the opposite reason. Florence Welch (of + The Machine fame) dropped by the K to talk to me about her forthcoming album Everybody Scream, out Oct 31st. When she came into the studio with me to get settled, she immediately asked me where all of the cameras were. On my shrug that there weren’t any, she tossed her red hair back and just laughed. She told me it was a very welcome relief because cameras and phones being shoved in her face feels like a given these days. She recounted (with some horror) a recent experience at the BBC. I assured her it was just us (+ plus producer Nass and engineer Phil).
She laughed again and said, “This will be my favorite interview that I’ve done.” We’ll wear that as a badge of honor forever.
“See you” soon. Hopefully IRL!
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