10 Questions with ... Bryce Segall

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

KISW/Seattle, KNDD/Seattle, Sub Pop, Red Bull Sound Select, Revolt TV, Bylines @ Consequence Of Sound, Vice Drumtech/merch manager for The Joy Formidable, literally just threw warehouse parties for a while, MAD ZOO, Slush Management, and now ALT 92.3

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up in a picturesque suburban town, totally devoid of any alternative or counter culture. My parents weren't big on TV, and since I'm an old man at 29, this was more or less pre-internet, so radio was my only real access point to vaguely unfiltered content. Whether it was Radio Disney or The End, or KISW, radio was the bridge between me and this seemingly impossible to reach world of pop culture and urban experience. I used to lie on the floor in my room and spend hours using a Sony Boombox to make mixtapes of stuff on the air. Radio DJs were these demi-god like figures that oozed "cool" and I became infatuated with attaining that sort of world perspective. ?

2. You worked with Mike Kaplan back in Seattle. How did that lead to you becoming MD/nights at ALT 92.3?

Well, Mike's been ignoring me about bands for years, so I figured I might as well get paid for it.

I'm kidding. We've always had a strong connection when it comes to music, because at the end of the day hits are hits and either you understand that or you don't. Without naming names, I think I've earned my stripes with Mike in that regard over time and much of my sensibility comes from working with him at KNDD anyway.

He has some of the best ears and I truly believe if he could clone himself, he would, but (fortunately?) technology isn't there yet. I was flattered and a little surprised when he first floated the idea, but I applaud him for bringing in a guy like me with a bit of a different perspective. I don't think many people would have done that.

3. You most recently were on the label side at Mad Zoo. What was your role at the Electronic indie label and were you eyeing a return to radio or was the opportunity in New York too good to pass up?

I've been fortunate to touch many sides of this industry, but in high school running a record label was about as cool as it got for me (shout out Pedro Winter, Richard Russell, James Lavelle), and I feel so grateful to Mat and Slush for trusting me to help realize the vision here. It's a very pure and special feeling to have kids send you music, sign it, and then see it played out at Coachella, or Lollapalooza by massive artists like Porter Robinson, or Rezz, or Madeon. It's also incredibly draining at times. It gave me a real newfound respect for what our label partners do. It also taught me the power of a good brand and community - something I hope to translate to Alt.

This position was an ongoing conversation that truly came about very slowly and organically. There will always be something romantic to me about FM radio, and as with any opportunity I engage, it's mostly because I found it personally compelling. The more challenging and singular something is, the more inclined I am to give it a go. Moving to New York and building a brand from the ground up seemed to check a lot of those boxes, and the opportunity to work with Mike again made it a no brainer. I'm sure it also made a few people mad, which didn't hurt.

4. Give us the 411 on ALT 92.3 and how the station's has been growing in 2018?

Its early days, so a lot has been getting the pieces into place. Adding some great staff, focusing our playlist, throwing our first event in September (Fall Into It w/ Portugal the Man, Jungle + more), and of course beginning to engage the community. I sort of said this when I got brought on, but New York is such a pivotal city in the legacy of Alternative and our goal over the next several years and far into the future is to develop an outlet that not only reflects that, but actively adds to it.

5. What is your favorite part of your job?

I think anyone who says it isn't playing a song you really love, new or old, that otherwise wouldn't have made it to air, is a liar. Messing with people who call in from out of state thinking it's a different 92.3 is pretty great too. Creating a great moment with a caller or coworker that translates on air and resonates. Not having to wear dumb shoes. There's a long list.

6. You recently tipped me to Dilly Dally which I personally really dig. What is your new music discovery process and how would you describe your style as Music Director?

I think it's the standard stuff, a combination of blogs, playlists, label servicing, publicists, friends, festivals. If you're doing it right then there's a bit of osmosis that happens where you sort of feel what's going on in the moment.

My job is to know the landscape, both what's out there and what's working for us. My personal taste is only a factor in that if you can't trust yourself, then you probably shouldn't be doing this. I remember going to Puff's house once (which is a story in itself), where he'd collected a small group to play music for inspiration on a project. Three or four songs into passing the aux, I realized this was essentially competitive music listening. It wasn't about playing the song you liked the most, it was about playing the best song you could that would land with him. Reading the room. That was an eye opener for me, and sort of defines my approach as a music director, I guess. Not to play the songs I'm a fan of, but the one that's going to hit in that moment, for our format. I'm here to usher in the songs and artists who are going to define now and what's next.

7. Tell us about the music meetings at ALT 92.3?

To tell you the truth, it's a real nuts and bolts affair. We play music for each other when we're excited about it all week long, so by the time the meeting rolls around it's mostly all business and not a whole lot of party.

8. For those who have never heard you on-air, how would you describe nights on ALT 92.3?

There's a stock answer for this --local, music centric, topical for our audience, etc. -- and sure, it's all of those things. But truthfully, I'm just like any other guy left alone with an internet connection and a microphone for four hours a night. I think, like with most things, it's just about being a good hang.

9. What do you love most about New York?

Growing up in Seattle, I processed a lot of that city's cultural reverence through music. In places like L.A. and now New York, I enjoy that there's not only a rich musical lineage, but an opportunity to explore the city's identity through decades of TV and film. Also, of course living in the same city as Jer! The storms are great too.

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

Cold drinking water. Weirdly into it.

What are your hobbies?

Lying in bed, watching movies, cartoons, scrolling Instagram. Hanging with my cat. I am a teen.

What are weekends like for you?

Hazy?

First record ever purchased?

I traded a kid a pack of baseball cards for Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water in the sixth grade.

First concert?

Elton John for my 10th birthday. I remember nothing besides throwing a tantrum and crying through the majority of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight."

Favorite band of all-time?

My girlfriend could probably answer this better than me, based on whatever I subject her to on a Saturday morning, but I'd say Oasis are up there or Smashing Pumpkins circa 1991-2000. New music blows! JK there's lots of great sad stuff coming out on Matador and Dead Oceans that I'm into right now.

Anything else you would like to add?

Follow me on Soundcloud.