So the bad news is that Zarvox, KUPS’ automatic DJ, bit the dust right before winter break, leaving KUPS off the air for almost a month. The good news is that a new Zarvox has been installed–KUPS is back and better than ever!
I talked with KUPS General Manager, Elly Henriksen, to get the scoop on what changes have taken place throughout her time at KUPS, what’s new this semester, and reflections on her final months working with The Sound.
Q: What changes are you guys planning on implementing this semester?
A: This semester we won’t be changing a whole lot. We’ve tweaked the schedule yet again, cutting a few alternative hours to create more time for the wildly popular ‘commuter’ genre which provides a home for folk, blues, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, talk shows etc. We thought it was a good move to accommodate a more diverse variety of music, and our commuter DJs have been absolutely steller for the last few semesters. I’m excited about it. We’re sticking with the programming that allows for all genres to be heard every day, except hip-hop and loud rock, which shift according to the day of the week. Overall I think it’s a better structure that lets listeners hear what they want.
Q: Tell me about the new Zarvox… what exactly happened to our old, beloved Zarvox, and in what ways will the new Zarvox be even better?
A: Old Zarvox was dying. As a DJ you’re familiar with the random issues we would have where Zarvox wouldn’t turn on for automation or would shut down completely, forcing our DJs to manually operate the station, reading PSAs and liners, etc. It made sense because the computer was almost ten years old and it was just Zarvox’s time to go.
Zarvox completely died on the last day of classes last semester. I call that good timing! New Zarvox is super cool, because instead of playing random tracks in whatever order it likes it now pulls from organized categories that correspond to the genres we play during the day. That means that even when we’ve got Zarvox on you’ll hear alt during alt hours and hip hop during hip hop, etc; no more death metal in the early morning!
Q: How supportive/invested in KUPS do you feel Tacoma is? Are there any plans to enhance awareness and a love of KUPS to the greater Tacoma community?
A: I feel we’ve been lacking in Tacoma involvement for the last two years but we’re always working to find new ways to get out there. It’s a hard thing to maintain, because our staff is always changing, and so is the local scene, so [to] maintain strong ties can be a challenge. That said, we’ve just established a new relationship with The Grüv Lounge. They’re looking for DJs to spin on Thursdays so we’ve lined up a few of our own. This means students get free admission on Thursdays, which is awesome!
We’ll also be throwing a show later this semester; if it goes the way we’d like it to it will be open to the public so we can thank our listeners beyond campus.
Q: It’s your last semester as a KUPS General Manager; have you accomplished everything you’ve wanted to?
A: The thing I wanted most to accomplish as General Manager was to set KUPS on a track for bettering itself in the future. I’ve spent the last year fighting tooth and nail to get KUPS equipment and money that it desperately needs. I feel that with the help of ASUPS Vice President Alex Lewis I’ve been able to show both ASUPS and the administration that KUPS is a worthwhile investment that deserves serious and sustained attention from the university. Our equipment was old and falling apart and we were having a hard time maintaining FCC compliance. I think I’ve gotten us into a position where we will have far fewer technical difficulties in the future and we’re preparing to hire a half-time staff position to help with Operations, which is a huge increase in hours from the old position.
Q: If it were an ideal world, and anything could happen, what changes would you hope for at KUPS?
A: Loftiest, dreamiest dream: To take over KEXP’s broadcasting license so we can blast our tunes all the way up I-5 to Seattle but that’s pretty much just a pipe dream.