10 Questions with ... Zach Van Lue

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Radio, Voice-over, Instrumentalist, Musicologist, DJ.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I moved to Cairo, Egypt to study music and needed a job. With experience in promotion, audio production and club DJing I knew I could do something at a radio station and applied at NileFM. It's the only all English station in Egypt. I started part-time, merging logs and adding new music. The night jock would pull me into the studio sometimes for a bit of banter, and they liked how it sounded so I was added as a co-host. A little while later I was hosting morning drive.

2. After growing up in the Pacific Northwest and hosting nights on your hometown station KNDD/Seattle for the past few years, what led you to 91X/San Diego to kick off 2017?

I've always kicked around the idea of moving to Southern California. I have some really good friends in San Diego. After a few years back home, and a good run at The End, I wanted to live some place sunny again. I also speak Spanish so proximity to Mexico was enticing.

I was confident I could pick up something part-time, and make ends meet teaching guitar and gigging. I never imagined I'd be full-time at 91X, and was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

3. What has been your biggest challenge hosting afternoons in San Diego?

Not being from San Diego or living here prior. You can't fake local. Yet we're expected as air-talent to be local authorities, and rightly so. In Egypt it wasn't a problem because I moved there several months before going on-air. And in Seattle it was a breeze because I lived there and grew up listening to The End. So coming here was a new experience.

My approach at 91X has been to be transparent about it. I just express how happy I am to be here and how at home I feel, absorbing as much San Diego culture as I can in the meantime. In return callers and people I meet have been welcoming and excited about me discovering the place and settling in. It's been really positive.

4. How would you describe your on-air style?

It depends on the format. With alternative I strive to sound just like I would if we were having a conversation. Light hearted, kind and very matter of fact.

5. What is your show prep routine?

I read all the local print I can get my hands on as it's released. The local section in the daily paper, weeklies and any neighborhood publications I come across. It's important to have a broad understanding about what's happening locally, even if you're not pulling specific content.

As far as prep, I look over the music log before my show and plan my breaks. I figure out what I'm talking around and check the latest regarding the music and artists. I write out all of my breaks before my show. I don't read them back on-air, but knowing what you're going to say ahead of time always makes you sound better.

6. Where in the world is Zach in San Diego? Explain.

It's a scavenger hunt style game I came up with as I was beginning to explore San Diego. I take obscure pictures and video of places I've been, and use them as clues to update a blog throughout the week. Players guess where I've been to win concert tickets. It's a fun, easy way to create engaging content that shows off cool spots around the city.

'Where In The World Is Zach In San Diego' popped into my head one day as a name. Our digital team thought it was funny and put together a logo. Anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s remembers Carmen Sandiego and is amused, but a lot of people probably have no idea.

7. What do you love most about working at 91X?

The skill and experience I'm surrounded by is phenomenal and inspiring. We have the team and support to pull off just about anything. And everyone has been incredibly friendly and welcoming.

8. Tell us about Zach Van Lue the musician?

I started in high school as a rock guitarist, and like most rock guitarists discovered classical guitar. Classical guitar led me to flamenco, which led me to oud (Arabic lute), which somehow led me to fretless bass and jazz. That's pretty much where I'm at now as far as study goes, but I keep my guitar and oud chops up teaching and gigging.

I also have a BA in music from Western Washington University so I know a bit about theory and composition. Which I'm finally using to construct bass lines from lead sheets, so that's rad.

9. What may surprise people most to learn about you?

I have acrylic nails on my right hand. They're essential to get a good flamenco and classical guitar sound because my natural nails are so thin. It kind of freaks people out until they find out I'm a guitar player.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ________?

Playing around the circle of fourths in every mode on the bass.

What are weekends like for you?

I always tell people who want to get into radio that it's not a job, it's a lifestyle. Same goes for working musicians. You're always working on something fun, exciting or challenging. I just spend less time at the station on weekends, more time with guitar students.

What are your hobbies?

Math and physics.

First record ever purchased?

Run DMC - Raising Hell

First concert?

First concert was a Seattle thrash band called The Accused at Freeland hall on Whidbey Island. I was twelve. Their guitarist Tommy Niemyer is from South Whidbey, and I asked them to play my favorite song "Bethany Home." They agreed as long as I would provide the screams during the intro. I did, and when I handed the mic back to Blaine, he refused and I sang the rest of the song.

A couple years later I was in Fallout Records on Olive Way, and a stranger asked if I sang at an Accused show once. She said she saw photos of it. I never got to see those photos but I'd love to now.

Favorite band of all-time?

Can't pick one.