In the blood

Last night 10 of my friends crammed themselves into the small KUPS studio to show me their support on my last on-air show.

It was amazing.

Despite being bummed that my mixes didn't turn out as well as I wanted them to (grounding problems) it was both sad and relieving when it was finally over.

I was told the show was my best one yet, that even my trance mix sounded "organic." For me that's a breakthrough because I remember the first summer I came home to Hawaii and started spinning electronic music in my car and my mom said she didn't understand why I liked this music because it all sounded samey and repetitive. The truth of the matter is that I became a DJ so I could open up people's mind to electronic music (definitely not to hear the sound of my own voice on-air, which, btw, is still traumatic).

In one short year, I've learned a lot by being a radio DJ. I mixed with CDJs for the first time in my life, learned how not to perform a EAS Test (lol), and met some pretty amazing people who I wouldn't have been wiser to had I not decided to be a joiner. Each of them have their own unique opinion about music which is worth hearing just to be aware, even if you don't totally agree. I can't stand music elitism. Love what you love, but don't disrespect people who think differently.

One of my favorite experiences was showing up for the electro set DJs Kadeejah Streets and Rhines came down to the station to spin for. At first I thought it was a little awkward with just Eddie, me, and the two pros (I was expecting more people to show), but I started talking to Kadeejah (Eddie Streets) and he said something that has since stuck with me. I had asked him how knew (the other) Eddie and why he started doing these gigs and he said our publicity director messaged him and several other Seattle DJs about doing a gig, but he was the only one who responded. Kadeejah said he didn't mind doing these smaller shows because it was still an opportunity to get new people into the music. He emphasized the importance of making a connection with his audience and doing it one-person at a time--if he could spark even a single person's interest, then the experience was worth it.

I think that's an amazing motto to live by and I wholeheartedly agree.

With the semester having passed in the blink of an eye and my pending college graduation just around the corner, I look back with only fond memories of my short-lived KUPS experience.

Thanks for tuning in.