I’ve never understood why commercial radio is as bad as it is. With so much great music already out there, and so much great new music released every day, why do radio stations play the same tired songs, over and over? Does it have to be this way?

Apparently not. KEXP is a member-supported radio station in Seattle that is committed to playing good music all the time. The station won a 2004 Webby for Best Radio Website; its signal is streamed over the internet, and can be accessed directly though the station’s site, or through digital music players such as iTunes. The website also has a fantastic collection of live performances available for download.

My favorite KEXP host is John Richards, a smart, funny, and engaging DJ whose commitment to music is as strong as a cup of Seattle coffee. With playlists that combine older songs from The Smiths, The Clash, and Nick Drake with new music from artists such as Bloc Party, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Sufjan Stevens, John’s show consistently lives up to the station’s motto: KEXP - Where the Music Matters.

John is a throwback to the DJs of yore — people with great taste who became DJs because they felt an almost missionary urge to share their passion with others. KEXP is John’s home; music is his tonic; and we are the lucky guests, invited in to the party.

John graciously agreed to answer some questions about KEXP, his experiences as a DJ, the state of contemporary radio, and — perhaps most importantly — the method he uses to organize his vast collection of CDs.

On KEXP

What makes KEXP unique?

I think a lot of things do. . . .the first being that the DJs program their shows themselves, something you just don’t see in radio anymore. We also are unique just because of our audience. . . .from people all over Seattle to around the world listening on the webcast. . . as well as the different ways we reach them through our streams, our on-demand programming and our podcasts. . . .wait, I haven’t even mentioned the music, which is really what makes us unique.

How did you first get started at the station?

I started when the station was known as KCMU back in the mid to late 90’s. I walked in and told them I’d do anything, anytime for no money. Those are the magic words in radio.

What do you like best about working there?

A few things. . . .the freedom, the incredible staff, the listeners and just being part of something so important and unique. . . .

Do you have a sense of how many people listen to KEXP through the internet vs. standard radio? Has the online audience been growing?

We do. . . .the ratings system sucks though. It really does, it’s outdated and it hurts stations like ours. . . .it was made to measure audience for ad rates. . . .we don’t run ads. . . so. . . anyway. . . we know we have thousands of listeners in Seattle and on line. . . in fact we know we’re the most listened to station broadcasting their signal online. . . . and we know our audience online keeps growing and growing. . . . it’s incredible.

On Being a DJ

What is the biggest misconception people have about DJs?

Well, they think commercial DJs are lazy slobs who are the scum of the earth and public radio DJs are either stuck up or boring. . . and they think college DJs are all of the above. . . people also think DJs program music. They don’t anymore. They do what they’re told. It’s sad.

What is the strangest request you have ever gotten?

Yesterday someone requested Billy Ocean. That’s just bad, not strange. I got a request for the Fantasy Island theme the other day. . . I’m not sure if that’s strange or bad. . . or both. . . I think people just think we’ll play anything. . . which is nice but there has to be some quality there.

What was the most rewarding/interesting/enlightening interaction with a listener that you’ve had?

During our last pledge drive a listener donated to the station in her brother’s daughter’s name. Her brother had died after a long illness and before he died he told his sister to make sure his daughter listened to KEXP and that he wanted to know that his daughter would live in a world where radio was still real and could be believed in. . . .incredible he thought of us in his dying days and that he saw how important it was to have the station there for his daughter when he was gone. I could hardly read it on the air without crying.

What do you consider to be your best moment as a DJ?

Good question. I don’t know. I’ve had so many. . . .when I was in NYC at the Bowery and our show there was sold out from NYC listeners. . . .the Wrens got on stage and said “thank you kexp” and the crowd went wild. . . .that was great. There was the time Interpol came in just before they blew up. They came up for an hour and played on my show, it was insane. . . .the first time I talked to my wife was on the phone at the station. . . .looking back, that was a big deal. I think the last day of each pledge drive though is probably the highlight. Every drive the show and station do better and better and it gets more and more nuts. . . .when I have those last few minutes to thank everyone on the air, the staff, the listeners, the station it all makes sense.

What band or musician who has played in the studio were you most excited to meet?

David Gedge from The Wedding Present.

Who are your role models?

In radio I have three:

1. John Peel

2. Don Yates. Our MD. He hired me and has always been a role model and a constant support system.

3. DJ Riz. The best DJ I’ve ever met. . . and one of the nicest and kindest men on earth.

When did you know that you wanted to become a DJ?

When I was a volunteer at the station and watched other DJs on the air. Until then I had no idea that was what I was meant to do. . . .but to play music and be a taste maker and be yourself all at the same time as your job?! Come on. That’s a dream.

How do you hear about new music?

I hear it. I mean, I really do, I listen to everything. Our staff does as well. . . . .but pretty much 99% comes from KEXP, either something we’ve tracked down or have been sent and we get sent everything. . . .

How many cups of coffee do you drink during a typical four-hour show?

Depends on what kind of cup you’re talking about! If it was a standard coffee cup, probably about 6 or 7. It’s a problem.

I subscribe to your email newsletter. It goes out every day, and provides a complete listing of what you’ve played, along with your notes. Do you put that together? It seems like a ton of work.

I do and it is. A ton of work. But I love it. Its just one more way to connect and inform the listener. Started as a list of about 20 people its up to almost 10,000 people. . . . I’d sure like to thank those first 20.

On the State of Contemporary Radio

Why do so many radio stations play the same songs?

They are owned by the same companies and they could care less about the listeners. It’s about profit, it’s about making sure they don’t have to think and it’s about owning a demographic. Period.

If you were starting a new band, how would you go about building an audience?

I would tour tour and then tour some more. When I was done then I’d go tour. Hit your city then your region then branch out. Do not sit at home.

What effect do you think satellite radio will have on traditional radio? Is a triumph by satellite radio inevitable? Do you listen to satellite radio?

Nope. Wireless is. Two companies own the dishes, they control the content. It’s worse then commercial radio in that regard. Right now I can listen to the station over my Treo Cell phone wherever I am. . .that’s only going to get better. If satellite and traditional radio open up to stations like ours then yeah, there is hope but it probably won’t happen til they hit bottom. It drives me nuts, satellite radio has this huge chance and they go ahead and hire ex commercial radio people to run all the channels, listen for a while and you’ll see the same playlists. . .makes no sense.

On Bands

What bands are you most excited about right now?

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Can you name five desert island discs?

It always changes. . . .but. . . .

1. Pixies - Surfer Rosa
2. Massive Attack - Mezzanine
3. Sugar - Copper Blue
4. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Mainstream success is always a touchy issue for an indie bands. What indie bands have become mainstream but have retained their credibility?

Death Cab just did. GREAT record. . . .

What musicians do you admire most? Why?

Musicians like John Doe and David Gedge come to mind. . . .they do this for a living, they never compromise EVER and they love what they do AND they are great people who aren’t jaded either. . . .incredible, we should all learn this lesson.

Who is the most uncompromising musician you can think of?

Thom Yorke

How many CDs do you own? Do you organize them? How?

Maybe 10 thousand. . .maybe more, maybe less. I used to organize them . . . now they are everywhere. I tried to get them all on my computer and ipod but that room ran out pretty quick. They are in my office, at my house, in my car, in my home office, on my computer. . .hell, they are in other cities. What a mess. I’m totally all over vinyl now as well, what a mess. . .

What’s the most embarrassing CD in your collection? Why do you still have it?

I don’t think its embarrassing but I have all of Duran Duran, Neil Diamond and Enya. Wait, Enya is embarrassing. It was a girl. What are you going to do?

What was your best live-concert experience?

Arcade Fire last year in Seattle at our benefit show. I’ve never seen anything like it. Right next to that was the Screaming Trees/Love Battery show in spokane in 1992, changed my life.

Favorites

What is your favorite album?

Everything the Pixies have done. . . . Surfer Rosa probably the best. Then Radiohead’s Ok Computer maybe. . . .or Nirvana’s Nevermind. They sound typical but what are you going to do? They rule.

Favorite movie? Favorite music-related movie?

Holy crap, I’m blanking. . .Kevin Spacey. . . . dies at the end. . . . turns his life around. . . . dreams about sleeping with his daughter’s friend. . . .man, that doesn’t sound like a good movie does it? How about Empire Strikes Back?

Music wise? Mostly documentaries, that new one on punk…can’t remember that as well. . . . I’m losing my mind. How about High Fidelity? Say Anything. . . . Does that count? They have a lot of music in that film.

Favorite book? Favorite music-related book?

- The Catcher in the Rye
- Our Band Could Be Your Life

John Richards hosts “John in the Morning” on weekdays between 6-10am (PST), and Audioasis on Saturdays from 6-9pm (PST). KEXP streams live audio, and past shows can be found in the station’s audio archives.

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