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Hey Mr. DJ, Put a Record On:
Interview with Kid Carson...
The Beginnings
Yes, we met Tarzan Dan, and he's a total sweetheart.
Me: Is radio something that you've always wanted to do?
Yes.
Me: Since you were a child?
Yup, since I was a little kid. While I was doing my homework I was always talking and goofing around and making little recordings at home. I used to like old teen stuff like [DJ] Tarzan Dan when he was a little kid…I mean, when he was on Radio 640.
Me: How did you get your start?
I went to Humber College and took the two-year radio course.
Me: A lot of people do that. Is it a good program?
Yeah, it was good. It's one of the best ones, I think. Plus you're in Toronto so you get to hear Toronto radio and you can hear good radio stations, instead of going somewhere like London where the radio stations are smaller, and you can't really hear how professional people do it. Before that I was doing local university radio for a while, just to get some fun experience.The Job
Me: Did you try out for a position here?
I sent in a demo-tape, asking for a critique... and I got called for an interview! I was shocked! Fact is... I was pretty bad! Proof that passion is more important than anything.
Me: What's the appeal of being on the radio for you?
Just getting to talk to people. Some people get into it to be famous or to get everyone to know you but I just like to get on the radio and talk to people. It's just the fun of doing it. Plus you get to express your opinion. A lot of the time you can't really go on and say crazy things but…for instance, the whole R. Kelly thing with the sex tapes…[Laughs] better not put that on your website (sorry Kid!), but I'm probably going to go on and say something about it.
Me: Do you ever get in trouble for anything you say?
Umm, no, but I could. I think I know where the limit is, I know where to draw the line. Plus we have our bosses, who sort of coach us.Me: Does working for a station like this, one of the biggest in Canada…
It's the biggest top-40 station in Canada.
Me: Does it make you feel any pressure?
Yes…it's a fun job but at the same time you know that there's thousands of people who are waiting in line behind you waiting to take your job, so it's like [makes stressed noise]. You have make sure to be on top of your game, but at the same time you can't really let it get to you or else you won't be having fun on the air. You just have to kinda forget about all that stuff, or else you're going to suck.
Me: Do you have any input on what goes on at the station?
I think a lot of stations are kind of run by one person and however they do it goes. Here it's more of a family attitude. Our boss Julie is always asking us what you think about this or would you be cool if we did that or which bands are hot or, you know, should we go and do this concert or not. We try to relate to young people who are between the ages of 18 and 35. So we are between those ages, we kind of know what's hot on the street and that kind of stuff. Here we get a lot of input.
Me: But are there any aspects where you would like more input, or is everything fine?
It might be dangerous if they let me have too much input. No, it's good. Everyone's really good at their jobs; promotions people are awesome at their jobs, the music people are good at their jobs, and you know, I just keep my focus on being a DJ and answering e-mails and doing public appearances and that sort of stuff.Canadian Music?
Me: Do you think Canadian music has changed much in the past five years?
Yeah, I think so. It was a lot better now than it was. It's still hurting a little bit.
Me: In what way?
I think that if you have a choice to play American or Canadian [music], there's more to choose from in the States. I guess Canadian music, it is getting better. I don't want to bash Canadian music.
Me: It's okay, I do it all the time.
It is getting better. Like Avril Lavigne, she's a new female artist…people like that, it's helping it.
Me: Do you think Kiss 92 plays a big role in Canadian music?
For sure. We play 40% Canadian music, so that's almost half.
Me: You also showcase new artists as well.
Yeah. It's good for Canadian artists because so many people listen to our station. It acts as a breakthrough for Canadian music. So it's good for the Canadian artists to have that road but it's tough on radio stations sometimes to find Canadian music that's good. I think if we play them, it's good exposure for them.Gimme Some Advice
Me: What does it take to be a good DJ?
[Kid Carson tries to look at the questions.]
Me: [Covers paper] Hey, no peeking.
I'm trying to give you some good answers. It's hard off the top of your head! Later I'll be like, I should have said this or that. Umm, I think it's a lot different things. It's relating to people, having fun, being yourself, and just becoming a friend to the people who are listening. [pauses] I think being honest is the new trend. Back in the day you used to have to have a big, deep voice, you know, and now a lot of people on the radio kind of have lighter voices and are more real and honest, and if they're having a bad day they say they're having a bad day. They can relate to the people and the city, and just fit the mood of the day. If it's a happy day, they're a little more happy. I think it's just relating to the audience, being on top of all the events that are going on in the world, and especially in the city. Basically what you want to do is take your radio show and make it so that it can only be played in Toronto. Talk about the sports teams, the landmarks, what's going on in the city. Be entertaining. There's a million different things, you know? Everyone has their own style.Playlist
Me: Favourite current song?
I have to give you one? [Starts muttering to himself] Hmm, maybe Puddle of Mudd, "Blurry." That's one of them. My musical tastes are so big. I like all the stuff that we play but I also like Sum 41, Blink 182, and the rock stuff.
Me: So you're into rock?
Sometimes you have to go home and clear your mind and the whole thing is, you hear stuff a million times at work.
[ Kid Carson gets personal. Part III of the interview. ]