10 Questions with ... Kelsey Brannan

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I got my start in radio by serving two terms as PD of WSUM, University of Wisconsin-Madison's student station. I was hired as The Current's Music Assistant shortly after graduation in 2014, where I launched the Local Current's DJ in Residence program and worked on tributes including those for Prince and David Bowie.

I most recently worked at Seattle's KEXP as Afternoon Show Producer & Project Manager. At KEXP, I managed programming including Music Heals (a series of programming dedicated to mental health awareness) and Six Degrees (days of on-the-fly playlist curation based on the work of legendary artists).

I now return as APD at The Current, where I work with multiple teams across the organization to coordinate the station's on-air events, promotions, and special programming. I also manage the inner workings of The Current's sound, monitoring programming and the schedule process.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I discovered non-commercial stations like WYMS (Radio Milwaukee), KCMP (The Current) and KEXP/Seattle as a teenager. These were some of the only stations that played the music I really loved by artists and bands that seemed to be underappreciated everywhere else. Their programming made me think about radio in a completely different way. I got my own start in college radio and found that I loved spending my time in a studio more than anywhere else.

2. Who were/are your mentors?

So many people have been gracious with their time and talents over the years. To name a few: Dave Black at WSUM student radio, Lindsay Kimball, David Safar, and Jim McGuinn at The Current, and Kevin Cole and Susan James at KEXP.

3. You must be excited about returning to The Current. Tell us about that!

I'm definitely very happy to return to The Current, especially ahead of such an important milestone! We're celebrating the station's 15th anniversary this January, and throughout 2020. I love this team so much and I'm proud to rejoin them as The Current reflects on its past and looks forward to all that's ahead.

4. How do you think your experience at KEXP will translate to your new job?

I had the opportunity to make connections with so many amazing people around the music industry by producing for KEXP. I look forward to building on those relationships through new and exciting collaborations in my work at The Current.

5. In what areas would you'd like to improve?

As someone who is passionate about creating quality programming that inspires true connections with music lovers, I'm excited to once again benefit from the expertise of my colleagues at The Current and support their incredible work.

6. What do you like best about working at a public Triple A station?

I love the creativity that goes into working at a Triple A station. This format presents the freedom to program from the heart and to curate a unique sound that has a real impact on the lives of artists and listeners.

7. How do you feel about the current climate of music?

From listening to the radio to streaming online to going to live shows, you can find your new favorite band, song, venue, or community in whatever way you choose. Which means that as curators, we've got our work cut out for us when it comes to presenting people with exactly what they want to hear and when. To me, that's an exciting challenge. I love working for a station like The Current, which values the genuine love that fans feel towards their favorite artists and strives to bring listeners closer to the music that moves them.

8. What new music are you most excited about?

After big cross-country moves, I like to get acquainted (or, in this case, reacquainted) with my new city by diving into the local music scene. There are a number of Twin Cities acts I'm excited about like Gully Boys, 26 BATS! (playing The Current's 15 Anniversary Show on Jan. 18!), and JS Ondara. In Seattle, I jumped at any chance to see The Black Tones and Versing.

9. What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

The best piece of advice was to invest in high quality, custom fit earplugs and to really use them at every show. My hearing is my livelihood and I don't want to lose it by the time I'm 30.

The worst piece of advice I used to hear often - especially early in my career - was to simply avoid the field of broadcast media altogether. A lot of people seem to be terrified of the impending obsolescence of radio in the face of other emerging media. I'm far enough into my career now that I can say with confidence that if we're doing our jobs well and taking advantage of all the opportunities to remain relevant to our audiences, the work that we're doing will never be obsolete.

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

... if I'm being honest, spreadsheets and color coordination. It's not all chaos and disorder.

Last non-industry job:

In high school and college, I worked at a costume shop where I taught customers how to do elaborate theatrical makeup.

First record ever purchased:

The Beatles, Rubber Soul

First concert:

Avril Lavigne (I know I lost some cool points there)

Favorite band of all-time:

This changes daily, but some of my standbys are: Big Star, Sleater-Kinney, Car Seat Headrest, Patti Smith, Ezra Furman, Lucy Dacus, The Beatles, and Bruce Springsteen.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Most of my free time is spent on music in some way or another. I love going out to shows, especially when I can support local bands and venues. I'm also learning to play drums, which is a beautiful sonic mess.