Hear Alexis and Hello I’m Indie on Thursdays 8-9 PM

Are you from Kamloops? If not, where are you from and how did you come to be in
Kamloops?

I’m originally from Vancouver Island, which explains why you’ll hear so much island Celtic punk on my show (gotta represent!). I moved to Kamloops way back when the electronic CDs were still in the 600s to study journalism, which is when I first discovered the X and got my first show (Narnia). I recently moved back to Kamloops, and naturally just navigated back to the X. I mean how else am I going to stay on top of all the newly released music?

Are you a community volunteer? How do you think volunteering at the station supports
your engagement with the Kamloops community?

I’m a community volunteer (but will forever be a student of life!) The station is a perfect way for me to stay, dare I say, in the loop with what’s happening in and around Kamloops. If it wasn’t for the X, I wouldn’t have known about Clanna Morna playing at The London Creative, or there being free burgers at the TRU Back to School BBQ. That’s huge!

What is it about volunteering in general that appeals to you?

Just the idea of doing something to help a community. Even if it’s playing a bunch of songs I like on the airwaves for one hour a week – we’re helping those in need (artists) and giving more members of the community/campus (hosts) a voice so they can communicate directly to Kamloops residents. Plus, let’s not forget that anytime we can get people to listen to someone other than who’s playing on commercial radio is doing them a huge service.

What other hobbies and interests do you have outside of doing campus/community radio?

Looking after my puppy chihuahua and Animal Crossing island (Purplandia) take up a lot of my spare time, but they’re worth every minute. Also predicting “whodunnit” on a Nordic Noir series and finding your next favourite band.

What is your show about? What would a listener hear when they tune in?

Obviously a lot of independent music, otherwise it would be mis-marketing! But besides that, I try to make Hello I’m Indie fresh and fun, and keep its finger on the pulse of the indie music scene. I mostly focus on Canadian indie music, but I’ve been following lots of indie music blogs for over a decade so I also pull a lot of artists and tracks from those.

What makes your show unique? Why do you think listeners are interested in your show?

I try to include one local, Quebecois and First Nations track per show to jazz things up a bit. I lived abroad for 12 years so there’s a lot of international influences in what I play as well, like electronic dance, reggaeton, traditional Flamenco or Baltic music, tribal rock and Afrobeat. I’ve always been fascinated with artists who are inspired by the traditional music of cultures or geographical regions. Sometimes I say lame jokes that can be pretty funny. I like to think so, anyways…

What does campus/community radio mean to you?

It’s about getting involved in the community, interacting with people with like-minded interests, staying in tune with the Kamloops entertainment scene, and connecting with local musicians, artists and performers who don’t get nearly enough coverage in mainstream media.

What shows at CFBX do you like and listen to regularly? Why do you enjoy them?

I always have my car tuned into 92.5FM so I’ve probably heard every show at some point or another!

My new favourite is The Dance Punk Show (Wednesday 6-7 PM), it’s always one good track after another. The few times I caught The Sess Pool (Monday 7-8 PM), Alternative Eye (Thursday 2-3 PM), New Fangled Whistle Test (Friday 3-4 PM), and Do Not Touch This Amp (Friday 8-9 PM). I enjoyed them because we tend to play a lot of the same artists and have the same musical vibes.

That’s not to say I’m a total music snob or anything, (or at least not 100%), I’ve liked songs on other shows that were totally different from my own, like Blues Boogie and Bop (Tuesday 4-5 PM), On The Marquee (Tuesday 8-9 PM), Progressive Specs (Thursday 6-7 PM), Classical Connections (Monday 10 AM-Noon) or Bluegrass Etc. (Tuesday 11 AM-Noon) I also love the idea of Map It! (Monday 6-7 PM) which focuses on a different country for every show.

There’s so many other shows that I’ve been hoping to catch like Almost Anything Goes (Wednesday 5-6 PM), The Madelene Show (Sunday 5-6 PM) and The Sunny Side Show (Monday 4-5 PM) – sorry I can’t be stuck in Kamloops traffic ALL the time

Name an artist you discovered through your time at CFBX that you’d like others to know about.

So many to name – I have a goldfish memory so I try and save a lot of the best songs I play in my Instagram story highlights (check it out @ helloimoncfbx )

But back when I had my first show, CFBX introduced me to so many bands that ended up becoming well known around the world, like Death From Above 1979, Tokyo Police Club and Caribou. I remember there used to be a Strokes demo CD in the basement that still blows my mind to this day. Sadly someone has stolen it since then (it wasn’t me, I swear!)

Is there a local musician that you would like people to pay more attention to? Why?

I’m a huge fan of Echo Beach (who I believe have now become Mother Sun, don’t quote me on that though). They have so many good tracks like “Indifference,” “6000 Cats” and “Freakshow.”

Do you enjoy attending live concerts? Why? Can you tell us about your favorite live concert that you’ve been to?

I like attending smaller concerts because they’re more personal and intimate. I always try to meet the artist after the show because talking to someone who’s created such incredible sounds and imagery is an out-of-world-experience. I’ve seen Sam Roberts 7-8 times because I had the biggest college girl crush on him during my 20s, and got to meet him and the band’s bassist. I also talked to Katie Stelmanis after an Austra concert in Barcelona which was one of the best nights of my life, just because I’m a hard fangirl like that. I mean, I get starstruck just bumping into Jazz Notes With Jim (Wednesday 2-4 PM)!
​

What do you hope to do with your show in the future? What direction do you see your show moving?

I would love to branch off and do a second show focusing on only worldbeat music – I already have the name planned out (Hello I’m Worldbeat, obviously). Stay tuned world!