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10 Questions with ... Ayisha Jaffer
January 10, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I will just do it in order briefly like this as it’s quite a story:
Universal Music Group Marketing Rep while in college in Chicago Columbia College’s Talent Buyer also while in college, shout out to Sharod Smith my mentor who now manages the likes of Jamila Woods and Curtis Roach. He’s a legend.
My first real music business job was at the Windish Agency in Chicago (now Paradigm) creating the internship program, acting as an associate, setting up their media, and doing some in-house TMing as it was all very new. I moved on to management in New York City with the best manager out there, Neil Harris at Punkdafunk who had the Scissor Sisters, Free Energy, Cut Copy, Dragonette, Architecture in Helsinki and now currently, Sofi Tukker.
I then decided to take a break from music and discover the world heading to New Zealand where I ended up managing Lorde, Thomston, and Parson James with a team of three others at Saiko Management.
I moved on to TMing a variety of artists around the world.
All throughout these events I did some live DJing, radio DJing on the air in New Zealand and New York and picked up some work as a props master for films and creative projects.
Also mixed in is work in conservation as an adventure guide and park ranger in Alaska.
1. How did you become interested in radio?
I had a moment to sit back and think about what I wanted to do with my future in between touring at the time of my radio revelation. I have worked in so many different facets of the music industry throughout my career but also in other fields of collaborative entertainment. I decided I wanted to contribute to something that added to a greater community in a positive way, but also had the potential to crossover many different fields of interest in one and landed on radio. Since then, radio has been my passion and my home.
2. Tell us about the variety of radio gigs you have had.
My radio experience started on a remote island, Great Barrier Island in New Zealand to be exact. I worked in a makeshift cabin and people would knock on the door for requests. From there, I progressed to the alternative station in Auckland, where 3/4ths of the country lives called 95BFM as the afternoon host. I’ve also dabbled as a guest radio host on Virgin Mobile Live and have contributed to stories and podcasts on a plethora of platforms. Before arriving at WNXP, I was the first female and brown afternoon host at WYMS, Radio Milwaukee -- my hometown.
3. I understand you are still a contributor at KEXP and Wisconsin Public Radio.
I am! I have such a diverse array of interests and I care about the deeper stories within a community and behind the music, so these platforms allow me to dig under yet another layer of curiosity and storytelling through the airwaves.
4. You have also had experience on the management side. Tell us about that.
I worked in management for many years. I really loved helping artists discover and develop their talents. Often, they were using their platforms to bring something positive into the world which was something I wanted to support. I got to do this with a variety of genres and artists who did this well. Some of that list includes Lorde, Cut Copy, Free Energy, Architecture in Helsinki, Thomston, and Parson James -- all still doing it today.
5. What has been your biggest career highlight?
Honestly, my switch to radio was a career highlight, thanks to Jordan Lee for the opportunity. Being the first of anything is an honor and being the first female and brown host in the afternoon slot at WYMS meant a lot to me. It meant I can make a difference and pave the way for someone else, pay it forward and make some positive change. I felt deeply connected with the wider community of Milwaukee and WYMS listeners in a meaningful way.
6. What prompted to move to Nashville and join WNXP as APD?
Unfortunately, my position of change at WYMS was a chosen casualty of the pandemic and its economic effect on the station. Like so many people, I was waiting for work to become available and knowing that WNXP was a new station, launching during the pandemic and in such a vibrant city, I reached out to Jason Moon Wilkins (best name ever) to see if they might have any work available and it happened to be the right time and the right place.
7. What do you feel you bring to the station?
Every person who enters a station has a different life experience and different musical journey. It’s all about perspectives and so my unique perspective adds a certain flavor to the station and our team together creates a different sound.
8. What was the most gratifying experience you had celebrating the station’s First Anniversary?
We were a station that launched in such an isolated time, where we truly didn’t know who was listening and to arrive at the party to find it was sold out was so incredibly affirming that what we were doing was connecting with people and we have a place for more in our community.
9. What would surprise people most about you?
I like to free dive with sharks, and I was a park ranger at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge where the largest bears in the world are.
10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without …
… having a meaningful conversation, one where I either get inspired or learn something new. I know it’s cheesy but it’s true. I love stories and ideas, that’s why I’m here.
Bonus Questions
Are you involved with any charity or philanthropic organizations?
Currently I’m getting settled in my new home of Nashville, but I’d like to get more directly involved in what’s happening in the community here.
I am also in tune with what’s happening as part of Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges and continue to be part of the conversation in conservation up there as I feel it’s important land to remain preserved.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?
I love helping support people’s creative projects. If ever there’s a music video to be made, I raise my hand to help the art department. I also play music in a punk band called Skux and this might not surprise you, but I love nature so if there’s a body of water nearby, I’ll kayak it or a cool trail or mountain around, I’ll be hiking it.
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