1. How long have you been with WNRN and how did you get started?
I pledged to my first fund drive in Fall of 1999 and won one of the grand prizes, an all access pass to Trax for 6 months! [That’s a reference for the Charlottesville old-timers]. When I was in the station picking up my t-shirt, I filled out a volunteer form and began as a newsreader that winter. I was heavily involved in the station for the next decade, eventually working full-time at WNRN from 2007-2009 before leaving to work in the record industry. Following the pandemic I was asked to come back as a weekend host and sub, and it’s been fun to get reacquainted with the station.
2. What should WNRN listeners know about your show, and/or your music tastes?
I credit my early years listening to WNRN in the late 90s for forming a lot of my musical taste, as well as my years hosting New Rock Now throughout the 00’s, when indie rock was in its music blog heyday.
3. What’s your favorite, recent music discovery?
Odie Leigh, Francis of Delirium, The Bug Club, corook, and Merce Lemon were some of my favorite new artists this year that I wasn’t previously familiar with.
4. What might be an unexpected artist on your personal playlist?
I’ve copped to this on air a couple of times, but mid-century jazz vocalists. Nina Simone, Etta James, Blossom Dearie, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald… I love 40s music and have the 40s Sirius XM channel preset in my car.
5. A couple of firsts: What was the first concert you ever attended? What was the first album you ever bought?
My first concert I guess technically was Rusted Root at Allegheny College. But the first concert I bought tickets and traveled to—which is also hilariously apt and stereotypical—was Lilith Fair in Pittsburgh. I was a late bloomer when it came to live music—nothing until my early 20s. But I made up for it as soon as I arrived in Charlottesville for grad school. Friends and I went to DC regularly for shows at the 9:30 Club, and Trax in Charlottesville brought a lot of good national acts to town at the time.
6. What would be your 1-3 Top ‘Desert Island’ albums? The ones you would want with you if stranded on a desert island. Why?
My library is extensive and the real answer is I don’t have desert island discs. But today I’ll say Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville, Nina Simone’s I Put a Spell on You, Spoon’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I think that would cover all the moods I would need them to.
7. What are some of your favorite hobbies/things to do outside of music and radio?
Most people who know me would tell you music is how I occupy most of my time, but aside from that I enjoy travel, reading, film, and UVA sports.
Extra: What shows are you looking forward to in 2025 / What were some of your favorite shows in 2024?
We’re going to our first Primavera Sound in Barcelona this June. I’m finally going to see Chappell Roan [who I still kick myself for missing in Richmond]. The whole lineup is great with big pop headliners and then a really diverse indie undercard. We also go to Newport Folk Festival every summer, and that never disappoints. And other shows we’re holding tickets for in 2025 include Porridge Radio, Patti Lupone, Mdou Moctar, Lunar Vacation, Palmyra, St. Vincent, The Weather Station, corook, Horsegirl, Hovvdy…we don’t lack for shows in this household. Last year’s highlights included bar italia at the Warehouse in Richmond, Jack White at The Atlantis in DC [my favorite new venue], Iron & Wine at the Anthem, Bonny Light Horseman at Red Wing Roots, Lava La Rue in London and Sierra Farrell at Newport Folk Festival.
