HedgeZero Interview at UR105.9

Me, AJ and Pau at the session booth

Underground Radio DJ Black Sarah was kind enough to invite us for an interview last June 17 eventhough we played badly at the Club Dredd gig where, we think, she first saw us perform. Before the interview, while waiting for AJ downstairs, I was so nervous I threw up. Nothing beats the release of tension like regurgitating that morning's breakfast.

After loosening up a bit few minutes into the interview, we had a few laughs while discussing the band's history, the meaning of our songs, and some inside information about HedgeZero. Some of our friends were texting us that we were too serious, straying our attention away from the interviewer.

The "Main Girl" UR DJ Black Sarah

In the modest studio of UR, Black Sarah was able to make the interview smooth with her wit, candidness and spunk. Thats why I listen to most of her morning shows.

There were a lot of things we thought of doing at the interview that we didn't get to do or say. That's why I set up a few pointers on how to go through your first radio interview with flying colors.

BRING A CHEAT SHEET. Make a checklist of things you'd want to promote (like upcoming songs, events or gigs), list of people to thank and/ or greet (we left out a lot of people and organizations) and other promotional materials (like band sites, online profiles and the like). This is to make sure nothing is left out during this once in a lifetime opportunity.

GET THE MEANS TO CONTACT THE STATION. Today's radio stations are armed with tools to interact with its listeners through the internet. You should get any or all means for your friends to contact the station if you've invited them to listen in. We were distracted throughout the interview because people are inquiring and greeting us through our cellphones. These matters should be directed to the interviewing DJ so the show would be enhanced with listener participation.

USE A LANGUAGE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH. I tried to stay with the English format of the program but I kept messing up because I was a bit tense, despite sounding mellow in the interview. I ended up with a lot of grammatical blunders that would enrage my college English professor. If its a casual discourse, you could use a mix of Tagalog and English...unless its a debate, in that case keep it professional.

These pointers should help you breeze through your radio interview without any regrets since its a good opportunity for the people to get to know you and your music.