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10 Questions with ... Andre de Channes
April 1, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- Grove School Of Music, Los Angeles
- A&M Records Publicity Dept., Los Angeles, Maintained/Updated promotions database
- Mitsubishi Pro Audio - Engineer, Recording Console Division
- IT Professional
- Wine Country Radio - 2001 (KRSH, KSXY, KNOB, KXTS)
- KRSH - weekly specialty segment - 2003
- Overnights KRSH - 2004
- Weekends KRSH - 2006 - 2012
- Thursday Night Live, Specialty show on KRSH with live bands, had over 200 bands on the show
- KNOB - PD
- KSXY-HD2 - PD
- KRSH - PD, on-air 10a-3p
1. How did you become interested in radio?
Since I was a kid in Montreal; there's a station called CHOM, and my friend's dad worked there and I always thought how cool it would be to work at a radio station. I was always into playing music from a very early age, and gravitated towards things that involved the music industry in some way.
2. How long have you been at KRSH?
I started at Wine Country Radio in 2001.
3. In what ways has your job changed over the past year?
Becoming PD!
4. How would you describe the music on the station?
Triple A with a bent toward what our listeners here in the San Francisco North Bay like: Americana, Blues and currents with a nod to the rich NorCal music culture and also to the history of music here in the Bay Area. Some crossover music that is okay for more urban environments doesn't go over as well here. It's not a priority for us to play something just because everyone else is playing it. But if it does work for us, and it's being played all over, that's okay, too. We're often ahead of the curve.
5. How do you conduct your music meetings?
I'm lucky to have a great group of people that I work with -- lots of experience! It's kind of a two-tiered process: I'll filter through what seems right for us and I might go ahead and add some songs I think will work, but I also I put aside songs to be discussed in our music meeting. We have music meetings once a week, discuss what's new, anyone can bring in new music they like, we take a listen and decide what works.
6. What new bands are you most excited about?
There is so much good new music out there, it's mind boggling (you should see the stack of CDs I've listened to in my office). I don't know that I want to pigeonhole myself by naming specific bands; I just want to say that there is diversity of music out there that is blurring the lines of Triple A. I also think that the artists being able to record a quality album or song for a small budget, has really changed the recording industry, and by de facto, our industry. Lots more music to sift through! You don't really see the band development thing anymore, bands just sort of get thrown into the fray and then sink or swim -- the next best thing, or belly up. I think it is a much tougher environment for the artists and the labels.
7. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independent station?
It's more of an advantage than a challenge to be an independent station. We're self-contained; decisions about the station don't come from afar and we're very involved in our local community.
8. What are some the annual events the station does?
This is a big year for us -- we're celebrating our 20th anniversary! Every summer we have a series of seven or eight "Backyard Concerts," held right here at the station. Our backyard can hold about 400 people. We get some of the best national and local bands around. We even have major artists asking us the year before if they can be a part of it. This year, in addition to those shows, we're putting on concerts all over the area celebrating our 20th.
9. If you could add any one full-time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
I'd clone myself ... so much to do, so little time. Actually, we have a great staff and our GM makes sure we have all we need. Maybe a masseur for all our staff?
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Not sure, but it would be music-related.
Bonus Questions
Last non-industry job:
IT professional
First record ever purchased:
Abbey Road (my mom bought it for me by request).
First concert:
BTO (in Montreal)
Favorite band of all-time:
Depends on the day ... I have many favorite bands.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I enjoy being with my family, and playing music with my friends.
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