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10 Questions with ... Raina Douris
November 18, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
A decade on-air in Canada before moving to the U.S. Started my career at the legendary Toronto Rock station 102.1 The Edge (formerly known as CFNY), where I was focused largely on the burgeoning digital side of radio. Between my time at The Edge and CBC Radio 3, I hosted an independent video band-interview series filmed at my house called Rain's World.
After just under a year at CBC Radio 3, I was called to help launch Toronto Alternative station CIND (Indie88) as their first MD and Afternoon Drive host. Three years on Afternoons before moving to Mornings for a short time, and then in 2016 was back to the CBC to take over as host of the national Mornings slot on CBC Music. In that role I not only hosted a daily live program, but also voiced CBC's TV show "First Play Live" and was the host of the prestigious Polaris Music Prize gala 2017-2019.
Now, I'm the brand-new host of NPR's World Cafe, produced at the wonderful WXPN at the University Of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I've always loved radio, since I was a kid. I made myself an extensive series of mixtapes (Raina's Music 1-8) of songs taped off the radio ... even going so far as to catalogue each song, artist and genre on those tapes in a notebook. I was starting as a MD without even knowing it! Not only was I a music lover, but I was also very interested in performing from a very young age, doing school and community theatre, and eventually going to university for a specialized broadcasting program. There's something magical about radio -- it's personal, it's intimate, you can do so much with so little. I always had a connection to it.
2. You certainly have accomplished quite a bit in your career in the broadcasting and music community of Toronto, so what prompted you to want to walk away from that and join WXPN to host World Cafe?
I love Toronto, and I love Canada -- and I always will. But the population size means that you're limited in what you can do and what you can accomplish. I've always wanted to work in the States. And World Cafe, specifically, is a program wherein the possibilities seem endless. You have the real space, time, and freedom to have thoughtful and wide-ranging conversations with so many different artists. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to host a show like this, with such a creative and engaged team. There's a clarity of vision with World Cafe and a feeling of community and a feeling of genuine curiosity that I admire so much.
3. How do you envision your approach as being different than David Dye's or Talia Schlanger's?
David and Talia are both remarkable, excellent hosts. There are many lessons I've learned from both of their approaches -- and it's not that I'm specifically setting out to be "different" from either of them. But I think what I bring to the World Cafe is a unique playfulness and sense of humor. I want to get to know these artists on a human level and let the listener into our conversations. For me, it's about following my own curiosity, and finding those stories from each artist no other host or interviewer has yet.
4. You have a tremendous respect for the power of music for both individuals and society. Please tell us more about that.
What's more powerful -- on an emotional level -- than music? It's transcendent. With music, we can communicate ideas and emotions that are impossible to put into plain words. Music can form the foundation of community. Entire eras are defined by their music. Another way to think about it is this: music is a bit like food. Every culture understands food. It brings people together. It's an expression of love. You have it when you celebrate. You have it when you mourn. It's a bridge to understanding other people. Except, unlike food, music can be enjoyed anywhere, you can often make it or enjoy it for free, and you never get full.
5. Are there some artists you have discovered/love that you hope to be able to champion on World Cafe?
There is an alt-country (she calls herself 'trash country') singer-songwriter from New Brunswick, Canada named Lisa Leblanc. I didn't discover her, but I think she's incredible and has a wonderfully unique sound. I loved her last album, Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen, and I can't wait to see what she does next.
6. Who would be your dream guest on the show?
There are MANY -- but here's a shortlist: Missy Elliott, David Byrne, and Weird Al Yankovic.
7. What has been your biggest career highlight?
Being part of the team to launch Indie88. Launching a new radio station, in a format you love, programming and playing music you love, in a major market? It's a once in a lifetime experience. I literally cried when we pressed the button to officially put us on-air for the first time.
8. What would surprise people most about you?
I have a SimCity tattoo. It's big.
9. What is the best advice you would give to young people thinking about a career in radio?
Say yes and don't be afraid. Or, be afraid, but do things anyway. One thing I learned early on was that if you say yes and make yourself available, people will start asking you to do more. Find every hole and try to fill it. I got my on-air start because I saw a space for independent artists and started an online platform at the station I was at. Then I ended up talking about that platform on-air. Then the PD heard me during one of those little segments and thought I sounded good and offered me an overnight shift. It didn't come out of nowhere -- I got myself to that place. Never stop making things, and don't wait for someone else to give you a platform. Make your own.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ...
... caffeine, swearing, and posting dumb stuff on Twitter?
Bonus Questions
First record ever purchased:
I don't remember which was the first I ever purchased myself, but the first real album I owned was a Canadian rock compilation called Big Shiny Tunes
First concert:
Great Big Sea (with my parents), Treble Charger (with my friends)
Favorite band of all-time:
Impossible question but ... Ben Folds Five, Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Father John Misty, Velvet Underground, Neil Young ... I don't know!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
Sleeping, reading, playing soothing video games, watching garbage TV, and going out with friends.
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