An Interview With DJ Michele Myers

[ Photo used with permission by Michele Myers ]

Around here in Seattle, there is only one radio station that matters when it comes to music. That is 90.3 KEXP. Their tagline is, "Where the music matters," and it is true with a capital T. KEXP is a member-supported, member-powered radio station. That expression, "I listen to just about all kinds of music," well KEXP does that. Aside from specifically-themed blocks of programming, KEXP has the widest range of music you can find on the radio. You won't five Top 40 hits here. Instead you will find the bands that you haven't heard of, but will soon enough. Once in a while they will toss up an old-school favorite because they can. One of the DJs that does this is Michele Myers.

I was very fortunate to get an interview with Michele as I have been a longtime fan of her from her days, actually nights of doing the Friday night show, "Nite Life with Michele Myers," and now the "Saturday Afternoon Show on KEXP." Find out how many favorite albums in 2009 she has, what she would be doing if she wasn't a radio DJ, and why she loves having a regular sleeping schedule now.

CRITIQULOUS: First off, congratulations on getting the coveted Saturday afternoon spot. How's it been for you?

DJ MICHELE MYERS: I loved my Friday night show, so it was a bit of a gear change. The vibe is totally different on Saturday afternoon from 3-6 and I'm still getting used to it. Overall though,it's fantastic! There are twice the listeners and the potential for double that. And it was a huge promotion, always good to get that kind of confirmation about your work.

Now that you're no longer doing Friday nights, are you able to go to the shows as opposed to telling everyone else to go like back in the day?

Yes. That and sleeping regularly is the best part. My old show would end at 1am, but the adrenaline would keep me up until about 4am and throw me off for the rest of the week.

I'm thrilled to go to Friday night shows and saw two AMAZING ones in the past month. The Heavy at the Crocodile were intoxicatingly energetic, talented and raw. And Gossip (with the incredibly talented lead singer Beth Ditto) were mindblowing. Beth is so present, and embraces the audience in such a personal way. And the lyrics are so real... Am totally amped to see the Pixies do their album Doolittle in its entirety next Friday at the Paramount.

I'm sure this question is going to be rather tricky for you, but so far, what are your standout albums of 2009?

This has been a good year! Thunderheist - the warm-beat, somewhat adult-themed (but not tacky) band from Canada's self-titled is so good. Miike Snow the trio from New York and Sweden (folky pop over beats) is so unique and moving. The new XX album is really awesome (they'll be at Neumo's on 11/27). The new Gossip album. Franz Ferdinand's "Tonight" (great driving/road trip record), Brother Ali, Major Lazer and the Phantogram EP all rate high with me.

And the other side of that question, were there any albums that came out this year that you were really looking forward to but then wound up being disappointed?

Hmm. Probably Peaches and Amanda Blank. Sometimes it's a curse to listen to lyrics. I love the sound of these dance artists, and that they are strong women asserting their sexuality. But they're graphic in a way that doesn't appeal to me. It would be nice to see a little enigma from these women.

If you were not a KEXP DJ, you would be doing what?

Maybe traveling the world teaching English as a second language. Maybe interior design? Social work? 

If you were given the opportunity to follow a musician/band for one whole year, this includes any tours, publicity stuff, recording sessions, etc., who would you follow?

Hmmm. I'm not a follower in general. But if I were, who would interest me for a whole year? Probably go with Tom Waits, Prince or Stevie Wonder. Or Bowie.

Anything you'd like the readers to know about you? Upcoming projects to be on the lookout for? Special talents? Favorite place(s) to eat around Seattle?

My other job at KEXP is producing KEXP Documentaries. Short radio stories on musical subjects. They air Thursdays at 3pm and Saturdays at 4pm and you can listen to them online in the on-demand section of kexp.org. Our next few series are: Civil Rights Songs, Alt-Rock Heroes, First Ladies of Jazz and Poets.

If you love music in any form of capacity, do yourself a favor and head to KEXP and just listen to the music that's going on live on the air or hit up their archives. Seriously. A very good chunk of the music I listen to and have suggested to any and everyone that I know more or less came from KEXP and without it, my flavors in music would not be as expansive.

So thank you KEXP and a big thank you to DJ Michele Myers for the tunes and the interview.