Every summer, KCSU opens its doors to Fort Collins community members to enjoy time on the airwaves. We’re sorry to see them go as the season ends and grateful for the outside perspective they brought to our student-run station. KCSU’s Web Editor, Andrew Di Tirro, was eager to ask them a few parting questions about their takeaways and musical taste.
Why did you decide to DJ at KCSU this summer?
DJ DE HEX: I was a DJ at KCSU when I attended CSU, and it was one of the best parts of my experience there, so I was excited to DJ again this summer as a community member DJ.
DJ OPERATOR: This is my second summer DJing for KCSU. I had a great time last year and wanted to sharpen my skills and dive deeper into the world of college radio
DJ SOJO: Since I was twelve years old, music has been a huge interest of mine. I started playing cello in my middle school orchestra and fell in love with the process of creating sounds from my hands. Last summer, I transferred that joy to the radio’s soundboard. I discovered how fun it is to select my favorite music for those listening and talk about it on air. Good music can brighten up a grim day, and it has therefore been my goal to play content that lightens and inspires those who listen.
H. DAN HARKINS: I’ve been performing for a very long time now, mostly as a stage actor. I wanted a new adventure. I’d never done radio before. I think there are some brilliant possibilities for radio, as well as its exciting new cousin Podcasting. This summer I decided to come back because I enjoyed doing the show in 2023.
SENSEI KAMUY: I first wanted to be a DJ for myself, as I believed it to be the best first step to getting my name out in order to achieve my highest goals of being a voice actor and also a musician. But once I got behind the mic, I realized how exhilarating it is. Not only to be doing what I love but also to spread the joy and fulfillment it brings me with those around me. Of course, not everyone will appreciate what I do, but I will continue to do it to the best of my ability and find and create a community of people who choose to find the light when shrouded in darkness.
What did you enjoy about the experience, and how did you benefit?
DJ DE HEX: I enjoyed sharing the music I love with the community. Plus, since I work from home, it’s nice to have an excuse to get out of the house and do something.
DJ OPERATOR: I have always loved sharing/connecting with others through music, and on top of last summer, have met even more awesome people through my involvement with the station. I enjoyed the ability to play a larger amount of music that I love. I also found a lot of fantastic music through our library, other DJs, and reviewing new music submissions.
DJ SOJO: I especially enjoy exploring the music selection in the station’s program. I type in some of my favorite artists’ names and discover tons of new music each session. There is also a window for people to look into the radio station and for the DJs to look out, so I sometimes get to actually see people enjoying the music I selected, and that’s really rewarding.
H. DAN HARKINS: I liked the challenge of it being just me, the mic, and an unseen audience. It’s interesting to make a joke and not have immediate feedback. And, let’s face it, you can’t help but feel Really Cool sitting behind the mic in a radio studio! This was out of my comfort zone. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone. If it goes well, that’s great. You gain some confidence. If something goes awry, you realize you survived it. How bad was it really? You gain confidence!
SENSEI KAMUY: Everything was amazing, the people, atmosphere, and experience. I’m so glad to have had the time I did, not just for myself but to also just be able to interact with people, obviously not too personally but I enjoyed every moment of what I did. I truly felt at home.
What are three tracks you have something to say about, and what do you have to say?
DJ DE HEX:
“Nine Million Bicycles” by Katie Melua – For some reason, YouTube kept re-suggesting this song’s music video to me every day for nearly two weeks, and I kept clicking on it to listen. It’s a really pretty song about love lasting for all time, and I think it does a really good job of maintaining a clear through-line for what it’s about without sounding overly repetitive. It’s also a really interesting exercise to watch/listen to something over and over again so that you can start picking up on all sorts of little details. Needless to say, I think this song holds up to replays.
“Fairy Tail (Main Theme)” cover by Mia X Ally – Okay, so Fairy Tail is a manga/anime series that I’m really into, and a lot of the music in it has this really cool Celtic Rock-type vibe, including the main theme. This, lends itself really well, then, to a cover by Mia X Ally, who are an electric violin/bagpipe duo. They did a concert in Denver earlier this year, and I went super last-minute. I had known about them for their work together and solo on the internet (as Mia Asano and Piper.Ally), and needless to say, it was cool to see them, and I was really excited when they played the theme to this silly anime I like. Fortunately, they were selling CDs at their merch table, so I was able to get one.
“My Sails Are Set” ft. AURORA by Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli – Continuing with the anime motif, this is a song from the live-action adaptation of the pirate series One Piece, which came out towards the end of last summer. I started watching the anime a few months before the live-action show, and the combination of that and the live-action has just had me hooked ever since. There are over 1,100 episodes of the animated series, so it’s taking a while to watch it all, but I really like it. I also feel like “My Sails Are Set” captures this inspiring sense of adventure but with a slightly melancholy, ethereal feel. This is due in large part, I think, to Aurora’s singing, which I really like for the way her voice is simultaneously gentle and powerful. It fits well with the overarching themes of One Piece, which emphasize the importance of dreams and friendship, while also being about action and adventure.
DJ OPERATOR:
“Shimmer” by Vivian Grey – It’s great to hear new young artists furthering the innovation of the electronic genre. This track has relentless, complex drum patterns and the synth sound is massive.
“Illial Clone” by ALAK – A track I’ve been listening to for years now. This project has been inactive for some time, but I believe Jocelyn Noir deserves much more recognition for her creativity. Every element of this track is beautiful.
“Hela” by Car Bomb– It’s great to hear good music from young artists, but it’s sometimes even more inspiring to see older artists who are pushing boundaries and putting out energetic, exciting music. I’m glad this band is gaining recognition in the metal world. This track is insanely complex rhythmically, and heavy as hell.
DJ SOJO:
“Good Life” by OneRepublic – I enjoy playing pop, soul, K-pop, country, and indie in my show Sojo in the Flow. Feel-good music can completely change a person’s day, so it’s my goal as a KCSU DJ to play music that comforts and uplifts. One of my favorite songs that aligns with this goal is “Good Life” by OneRepublic. It’s a very well-known song and one I could play on a loop for the rest of my life. The song discusses the joy of living life to the fullest and serves as a reminder for me to love what I have.
“Immortal Queen” by Sia ft. Chaka Khan – Another track that I love is “Immortal Queen” by Sia featuring Chaka Khan. The chorus never fails to make me feel powerful and resilient. It sings “In one thousand million years, I will still be everywhere, and then I was here, the immortal queen.” Songs with powerful affirmations like this one inspire many listeners, and hearing the declarations of self-love like this never gets old.
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift – The last track that never fails to amaze me is “All Too Well,” the 10-minute version. Taylor Swift has been a very influential musical artist for years now, and this song encapsulates her masterful songwriting and use of imagery. Hearing this track has brought tears to my eyes, and feeling the emotion of the story Swift tells always touches my soul.
H. DAN HARKINS:
“Happy Ending” by The Strokes – For years, all I listened to in my car was KVXO, the classical station. During a time of (much needed for my mental health) unemployment in the spring of 23, I often went for long drives. It helps me think. As an experiment, I decided to start listening to Other stations. I discovered KCSU. One day I heard “Happy Ending” by the Strokes. I love it. I’m not hip to much 21st-century music. My musical tastes were formulated in the 20th. Every so often I’ll hear a newer song I’d not heard before and be blown away. Happy Ending does it for me.
“Heroes” by David Bowie – When I performed at the New York Renaissance Faire, I always played “Heroes” by David Bowie on Friday night to get stoked for the performance weekend. Bowie is brilliant. And it was exactly the right song to get me in the zone. Bowie is banned from KCSU. I think that’s a shame.
“The Weight” by The Band – “The Weight” by The Band is not currently in the library. I’m going to fix that next summer. Everyone needs to hear that song from time to time. Whatever it means.
SENSEI KAMUY:
“please be ok” by mui zyu – “please be ok” by mui zyu makes me want to dance endlessly.
“When Gods Go Mad” by CZARFACE ft. GZA – anything by CZARFACE but “When Gods Go Mad” put me on to him so that one is most notable. Great classic hip-hop sound.
“Valentina” by Daniel Caesar – An amazing album with deep subliminal messages about substance abuse and self-doubt. This song is purely my favorite from the album because of the upbeat rhythm.
Thank you to our community DJs for their contributions over the summer, and hope to see them next year! If you are interested in being a community DJ member, training and show applications will open in May 2025. If you are a student and you’d like to DJ, you can sign up for training on our Get Involved page.
Editor’s Note: KCSU does not support David Bowie, his label, or his actions.