-
10 Questions with ... Andrew Harms
March 7, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Andrew HarmsTITLE:Music Director/NightsSTATION:KNDDMARKET:Seattle (#14)COMPANY:EntercomBORN:08/30/79
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
The front desk of my dorm at the University Of Washington.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
This is the only station that I have ever worked for. A friend in college was a modulator (member of our station's street team) and thought I would be good for the job. It was the first time I ever enjoyed going to work. From that point on, I spent as much time as I could at the station, working for free for a long time, creatively finding ways to make "interning" at a radio station count for business school internship credits at the University Of Washington. Over the years, I worked my way up through promotions, got on the air, then in time was promoted to nights and Music Director.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Tears For Fears - Tears Roll Down Greatest Hits
FIRST CONCERT:
MXPX at the Sheridan Park Gym in Bremerton (we were both in high school).
FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME:
Nirvana
1. How did you become interested in radio?
As I mentioned earlier, coming to this station was the first time I ever enjoyed going to work. I have always been interested in playing music/sharing ideas that I am excited about for as many people as possible.
2. What part of your job do you like best?
To find whatever/whoever that new killer band is. The new band that gives you tingles the first time you hear it. The new band that makes you grab whoever is closest and force them to listen to it. The new band that makes you wanna shake that person if they don't like it as much as you do, and yell in their face, "What is wrong with you?"
3. What makes The End unique?
The focus of the station on all things Seattle. Staff and listeners alike are all extremely proud to be from the Northwest and the station caters directly to that from music programming, station imaging, charity work, promotions etc. We continue to be a major part of an extremely tight knit (and internationally recognized) music community.
Another unique aspect of the station is that aside from a syndicated Morning show and Loveline, we have an airstaff that is completely free of "professional DJs" -- everyone is homegrown. 95% of our entire airstaff are people that are already involved in the Seattle music community (apart from the station) and use that knowledge/experience to make their show completely unique and credible to a Seattle listener.
4. How would you describe your show at night?
Energetically laid back. I am a guy that is stoked to be where he is and to be doing what I am doing. I think that translates on the air. I grew up in the area and got a job at my favorite station. I get to play and talk about records that I love. It's hard not to get excited about that. Occasionally, the subject drifts from music to other subjects (pop-culture related and such) and those things are discussed as well on the show, always from a Seattle point of view.
Nothing on the show is ever really forced. There are really no pre-planned "bits" (don't confuse that with lack of preparation). The show is well thought out; it's just that most pre-planned stunts/bits are completely unnatural and sound horrible. That is a "professional DJ" at work. For better or worse, I think I am far from a "Professional DJ."
5. What new artists do you expect to break big on the end in 2006?
Currently I'm really excited about the Arctic Monkeys, Wolfmother, Angels & Airwaves, Nine Black Alps, and The Editors records. I would also love to see Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah record expand to a wider audience.
6. What are you most passionate about?
Professionally, it's my answer to question #2.
7. Besides KNDD, what is your favorite radio station and why?
I like Sports Talk radio. It is really the only other type of radio that interests me as a listener. I monitor/listen other stations both in and out of town for professional reasons and completely respect those few and far between. The stations that dare to be musically interesting (unfortunately, it is those stations that suffer the most with our outdated, ineffective Arbitron rating system).
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Getting angry with Nickelback.
9. Biggest career highlight?
We have leaked a lot of songs/records over the years and gotten a lot of C&D's from a lot of angry labels. Easily the one that made the most impact was when we leaked the Jon Brion version of Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine." At the time, it was assumed that the record had been shelved by Epic for lack of commercial appeal. We loved it and started throwing on a bunch of different songs from the record. Almost instantly, the phones lit up with people stoked about what we were doing. Even dopey rock dudes that wouldn't be caught dead listening to that record were into the fact that we were a part of such a unique situation. Soon after, we were getting a ton of international attention from MTV to the NY Times to Rolling Stone, etc. It seemed as if everyone wanted to talk about it. A very close second would be the national syndication of my "Nightly Nirvana" Feature.
10. What career path would you be following had it not been for this Industry?
Event Planning. I really enjoy working with/putting together and executing large special events from pre-planning to clean up and everything in between.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Sports - both watching and playing.
-
-