ADeadHeart Interviews Her Favorite Internet DJ Part II

Many DJs are so amazed when they can turn a listener on to new stuff - why do you think this is?

I think many DJs underestimate the power they wield. I recognize the power of a single voice in a highly visible position to influence others, and to introduce others to new sensations and experiences. We as humans are social creatures. And we look to those who stand out often for guidance, inspiration, or just experience.

Most DJs don't entirely comprehend this. They're doing what they love. And therefore it comes as a surprise when others connect with them. It comes back to just how powerful music is in letting people relate to each other. We like to connect to our world at large. Music, nature, buildings. That is why we like to see spirits in everything, to give boats and cars genders, to own pets. We want to be one with our world. And the DJ... has the power to connect you with others who are also listening to the same music. Across blocks. Miles. Leagues.

So you find yourself playing stuff you don't really like in an effort to do expose others?

Sometimes. I like to give things a chance, so people can learn about them, but most of what I play I enjoy. Some things I do love I do not play unless I find special occasions where I can make excuses to slip them in, because they do not fit the format or feel of my shows. BUT... I often find fellow DJs who they do fit and send them to them, share my music so that it will be showcased in a place where others will "feel it fits." I'd love to be able to play anything and everything. But I am realistic and know that I can't be all over the map all the time. All of the time. But some times... I can go wild. And get away with it. Play something others would say blatantly does not fit with my perceived style.

Good - wild is fun. And it keeps your listeners from knowing too much.

Oh, it does. It lets me surprise them here and there. This is a reason, of course, I play player-made music. Not only am I fervently behind backing the talent in our game, but it lets me play genres at times I could not otherwise.

You don't need to know me long to know I am quite gregarious. I love to talk. I love to share my stories and experiences. I want to be a teacher, to guide others, to encourage them to think and explore and open themselves to new experiences and ideas. This is a way I can do that, that I can share myself with them, and help them share amongst each other via requests, having them on as guests, and having them tell stories of their own as well.

We have a rich community here (referring to KoL), and I value that. I am what you might call a pillar character. Bah. I can do. AND teach. Teaching is far more difficult than most realize. Just knowing a subject does not mean you can relate it in a manner others can understand, grasp, and remember, let alone make it exciting and vibrant for them.

Those who can't do....?

The fact is, that's an ignorant and snide response from a society that looks down often upon teachers as know-it-alls, and down upon intellectualism as snobbish and alien. The idea that street smart and common sense are the opposite of book learning is a foolish one, as is the idea that smart people cannot have fun or relate to others, but there it is.

It was my round about way of asking if you make music yourself...

I do. Yes. I've had piano training. And played percussion in high school. And guitar. And I can sing, though I do not do so enough. I also taught myself college-level musical theory my piano teacher said was difficult for her.

I can read music. But the fact is... I prefer to flow with it than write it, and my mind works poorly for playing. I cannot play piano with both hands, two separate streams of music. My mind does not allow it. When I learned to play? I did it the opposite way of others. Most read the music and play without watching their hands. I memorize the music and watch my fingers. What I really want to do is learn a brass instrument or similar. It would work with the way my mind functions.

I find that easier most of the time....though I cannot remember it as well as I would like - Tori Amos I will never be…

And I can sing also. I am quite good at lyrics, original and parodies.

So, you started playing KoL and realized an outlet?

That comes back to my comment about writing. Writing a far bigger talent for me than music, but not many here get to see that, sadly. A lot of my work, poems and stories and so on, was lost in my crash. Basically. I found a vivid, lively community where I could express myself and encourage others to do the same. I see potential…VAST potential. Only barely tapped, despite all we've seen so far. I feel we can go so much farther still. The station. The game. The artists. The singers. All of us.

Do have plans for this movement? And your one of KoL’s biggest player made music supporter....can you talk about that a bit?

I'd say I am probably THE biggest supporter, though the two YQMs have made it possible for me to be more so of one, very much so. And I don't say that to puff myself up, it's something of a crusade for me, I know. (KoL’s player made music, including my own, can be fount at http://www.yqmonline.com/kol)

I intend to be here for it. To offer myself wherever I can go, to whoever will take me, to guide who I can, to work with the great people in this game, and to see what can be done to take it to greater heights. I've been in other games, forums. I've seen them crash. For various reasons. Inactivity or bitter, cruel people ruining it for all. I've lost years of work at times, effort on the part of the players. One game I played 8 years. I was on staff for 5. I know the bitterness of defeat in a situation you cannot control.

But you started over with KoL?

Yes. And all I want to do is give my all. See it succeed. See people enjoy the creativity and community we have here. And see folks find their full potential. That might sound a bit idealistic for an RPG parody game, I know. But I don't mind. I believe in these people. And what I believe in, I fight for.

Has music helped you to maintain this faith in others?

Yes. Without a doubt. Because music is a tangible reminder of what we can accomplish, in its beauty and variety. Whether majestic and breath-taking or simple and chuckle-inducing, I think music is a great source of hope and faith.

Any music you feel is not conducive to this?

Some. Not much. Anything that goes out of its way to be offensive or divisive. Or trite, I suppose. There's not much I actually hate. What there is tends to be insulting. Of my intelligence or dignity or other things. And there's a difference between that and satire.

For example, I know some find it amusing, but you know that "song" where the guy talks about what does and doesn't make you gay? I find it entirely arbitrary, insulting, and lacking in humor.

2 Live Crew, etc might ft in that category as well?

To be honest, I've not heard much, but I understand a lot of what they did was highly demeaning to women, so probably. I don't like things that go out of their way to perpetuate stereotypes and degrade a group. Or that promote super-fanaticism. Whether it's religious, patriotic, or even sports-based. And I've heard some pretty divisive, rude stuff concerning sports rivalries.

What about....game based? Many players make music pertaining to KoL - do you ever think that we are all a bit - fanatic about it?

That's not really the same. Yes, we might be zealous; whole-heartedly enjoying the game, but I do not think we do so blindly. We take it in stride, as a part of our lives, not our whole lives. It's the difference between arrogance and pride. Take Johnny Cash. I love the guy. He's Christian. I am not. He stands strongly behind many good Christian values, like tolerance and standing up for the common man, and respect for life. I respect his position. And I respect the way he expresses it. He often has Christian imagery in his songs. I never feel bludgeoned over the head or threatened by it. It's simply part of who he is. Do you see how I mean?

Yes - you see that it's in his background but can enjoy the theory of it regardless....because he does not slap you in the face with it as a point he has made - he simply .. IS.

Precisely. He's not throwing it in your face like a gauntlet. Fanaticism is blind. It's not the same as having faith in something truly, or loyalty, or pride. It's arrogant and assuming and frightening really.

We are proud of our kingdom. Our game. But I hope nobody takes it to the level of the fanatic.

Still, most of our radio KoL listeners are game players - and choose to be exposed to music made by their players - that may or may not have game references. Would it be the same on public radio? Don't we have more options as an internet station.....

It would not be the same. We are unique in our connection to the game. Yet I know listeners who have played my music and other game music for non-KoL friends. They did not fully understand, but they enjoyed.

I have songs about other subjects, like Everquest or the Sims, which follow the same line. The Star Wars and Star Trek songs are another example, I feel.

Right - but everyone knows about Star Wars!

Oh yes, they do. But not everybody will understand all of the references in some of the more in depth songs. But they can enjoy them. These are things, though, that have crossed into the mainstream. KoL is not there. Yet. ::Grins::

I was just going to ask.....

Do I think that is possible?

In my interviews with key players etc. I do intend to spread the word. But yes, do you think it is possible? And what roll will radio KoL (and you) have in that role?

That we might become widely known? Yes. It's entirely possible. I think the game could well reach the level of similar hobbies. Of games like Ultima Online or D&D. It's smart, it's clever, it's fun. I do not see why not. And it has something many other games do not, in that we have a player-base that is world-wide and yet connected.

Will your DJing change if KoL grew to that proportion?

20 listeners or 20,000... each one is valuable. Each listener and player is special. If we become truly famous... I'll still be a player who wants to share what I have with my listeners, and give them a chance to share what they have.

You feel DJs can have a positive effect on game play as well as enlightening listeners?

We're part of the community. We're players like anybody else. I do not think we set ourselves apart, but we are leaders due to our positions. And I take my position seriously and try to do a lot of good with it, by doing things such as my website, graphics promoting, talking on the forums, discussing policy and mechanics, promoting music and creativity. Cracking down on scammers and spammers.

Well beyond encouraging philanthropy with our contests, we have a potential to help change the game, just as major clan leaders and chat and forum mods and others who find themselves in major positions do.

I love what I do. I have fun with it. But I also recognize the serious side of it, and the responsibility involved.

Do you think other DJs feel the same way? And, if this were not a station connected with a game, what effect do you think could be had on the general public?

I am certain some of them do. I don't know about all of them, but you know, people are entitled to their own motives, opinions, drives and desires. As to that... I think we could still affect people, but not to the same extent, and not as closely. We're a lot closer to our listeners than probably 90% or better of radio stations are.

We can see what they're saying, talk to them, even have them guest on our shows from great distances. Take requests swiftly and smoothly, expand our libraries and ask for them to find us music. It's a symbiotic relationship. We have the power to guide, but only because we are so close to our listeners.

I think we need to wrap this up! Anything you would like to add in closing?

::laughs:: In closing? Sure. KoL Radio has turned me into the DJ I am. The listeners have? I’ve learned as much from them, more probably, as they have from me. And it's truly enriched my life. I'd not give it up for anything.