Intermission Inquisition - interview with John Richards a.k.a John in the Morning

KEXP 90.3 FM started out as KCMU, a 10-watt station on the UW campus back in 1972. Back then, its signal could barely reach the Ave. Now, thanks to the internet, it can be heard around the world. Meet John Richards, the host and producer of the station's popular morning show.

[HTML_REMOVED]You attended the UW for a while in the mid-90s and volunteered at KCMU, which was housed in the Communications Building at the time. How did you first become involved with the radio station? Did you start off DJ-ing right away? What were your first few shows like?[HTML_REMOVED]

I sure did. I was at the UW in the Communications and Poli-Sci departments. I had just wrecked my ankle playing Ultimate [Frisbee] on Denny Field and sitting in a 100-level Communications class when they came in and said the dept was being cut down quite a bit. Suddenly here I am, unable to work or play frisbee and the class I already felt like wasn't doing me much good for the world of radio was being cut. I decided to finally suck it up and go to KCMU and ask to volunteer, I just didn't have the guts to do it up to that point. I limped over to the CMU building, knocked on the door and said the magic words, "I'll do anything for anyone at any time." They let me do production.So it was me, reel-to-reel, in a tiny closet ... I couldn't have been more happy. After a summer of this and never leaving the station, an overnight opened up and I took it. Best five hours of my life, Friday morning 1-6 a.m. I was terrible [HTML_REMOVED] but I was less terrible every shift.

[HTML_REMOVED]In addition to your many responsibilities at KEXP you also help run a record label (Loveless) and write for Seattle Sound. What do you think you might be doing right now if you weren't involved in music at all?[HTML_REMOVED]

I have nightmares that I'm back working at Albertsons as a box boy. I did that growing up in Spokane. I hope that I wouldn't be doing that if I wasn't on the radio. I don't know, I guess I'd be involved somehow in music if I wasn't on the air. It's all I've ever wanted to do.

[HTML_REMOVED]I read an interview in which you mentioned the possibility of writing a music-related book. Any developments on this front?[HTML_REMOVED]

Yes. If I wasn't doing so many other things I'd be on it. I've been approached a few times to either do an autobiographical book or something about the industry that I work in. I want to write so badly, but I also want to be doing all of this [HTML_REMOVED] so that's the rub.

[HTML_REMOVED]You also mentioned that your 2-year old son, Arlie, is a huge KEXP fan. Does he have any favorite bands or songs?[HTML_REMOVED]

He is.He's seen more bands by the age of two than I saw by the time I was 18. He loves live music. He was about five feet from The Blakes in store the other day.I think that's his new favorite band, the band before that was My Morning Jacket. Whoever he's seen last is who he loves.

[HTML_REMOVED]There's been a lot of talk about all-ages shows being banned. How do you feel about this?[HTML_REMOVED]

It's disgusting. Everyone works so hard to make sure the kids have shows to go to, there has been nothing but positive things because of that and still you see it happening again. As always, don't trust adults. So lame. One more reason we all need to vote and get involved! Don't make them do what I did and get a fake id!

[HTML_REMOVED]There's been a rapidly expanding series of books, enigmatically called 33 1/3, in which the author takes an in-depth look at one classic album from the rock 'n roll era (everything from Led Zeppelin IV to [Radiohead's] Ok Computer). Do you have any idea what 33 1/3 refers to? What one album would you choose to write about and why?[HTML_REMOVED]

That's the record speed right? This is why I'm teaching my kid about vinyl, plus you have artwork for them to look at.I would write about [U2's] Joshua Tree. Have you sat down with that record in a while?It's such a powerful document that's full of passion, insane guitar work and perfect songs. I just love that record.

[HTML_REMOVED]Do you play any instruments? If not, which instrument would you most like to play?[HTML_REMOVED]

God no. I say it gives me "perspective." If I could though? Guitar [HTML_REMOVED] if I could sing. If I can't sing, which I can't, drums. My 2-year-old has drums. Cheryl Waters from the station bought them for him for Christmas. Full-on set. Most people say I must hate her for that, I guess because of the noise. Not me, I love that noise. It's my son being creative. What's better then that? I can put out his first record in 10 years.

[HTML_REMOVED]You grew up in Spokane, which has a very different musical milieu from Seattle, to say the least. How old were you when you saw your first concert, and who was it?[HTML_REMOVED]

There were no good shows for so long, terrible local bands and no all-ages at all. When I was 17, Jane's Addiction played the EWU campus. We piled in a car and headed out. I was scared for my life and the most excited I think I had ever been up to that date. Our second show was Screaming Trees/Love Battery at the Met. Still one of my favorite shows to this day. First time I jumped off a stage or crowd surfed ... or tried to color my hair with food coloring. Big mistake.

[HTML_REMOVED][Scribbling furiously]

Oh, yeah. Food coloring is a terrible idea.

[Note to self: Exchange food coloring for spray paint]

Let's see, where were we?

What's one of the best shows you've been to?[HTML_REMOVED]

U2, last show of the tour in Portland. I think last year. I got to meet Bono before the show then was about two feet from the stage for almost two hours.I can't imagine any show being better than that.

[HTML_REMOVED]What's your favorite venue to see a live show at?[HTML_REMOVED]

Hard to say. So many different sizes and venues. For small shows, I always like hitting the Chop Suey or Crocodile. Neumos rules, and I always like to see a band fill up the Paramount. Really I see most bands in our performance space, plus no cover!