This is taken from the Interview I did with http://sophiezine.com That have a great online zine make sure to go check it out
Danger Granger exposed By Natalie Wright Let's face it: the best music you are likely to hear on Top 40 radio is some type of guilty pleasure. Some song you'll only sing aloud when you're alone with your windows rolled up as you drive down some desolate road.
But alas, Danger Granger has saved the day! You can roll down those car windows. Independent radio survives... well, at least it does in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a couple hours every Sunday night on HOT 93.7 as Danger Granger (an Oklahoma State University grad and New York City resident) takes over the airwaves with his radio show Independently Exposed.
He interviewed me earlier this year (tagged Hipsters Eat Free on his website), but now the tables have turned. Check out our latest instant messaging interview below, and don't forget to listen to the show. (You can listen to his podcasts online, too.) Every week, Danger gives away tickets to see bands playing at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa.
SOPHIE ZINE: So, you are in New York now. How's that treating you? DANGER GRANGER: Man, New York is a lot of fun... Free concerts every weekend, lots of food, people and there's actually work! SOPHIE ZINE: You must have been quite a success for the station to keep you on air in Oklahoma out of New York, so definitely congratulations there. How are you keeping the show going while you're in the big city? DANGER GRANGER: Must be! It's a little crazy how I do the show out here. It takes forever to get it all together and sounding nice. I basically have my iPod mixer hooked up to a small mixer with phantom power for the mic, and that's hooked up to the laptop through a USB converter chord. It works suprsingly well. SOPHIE ZINE: So, do you still plan to do interviews? |  |
DANGER GRANGER: Actually I just did an interview for this coming Sunday's show with a Broooklyn band called Bella Watt. They are super good.
SOPHIE ZINE: Are you strictly New York now, or will some focus remain on the Oklahoma scene?
DANGER GRANGER: When I first came out here I really kinda wanted to keep it a Oklahoma show, but since I have been out here for a while it just seeps in. There are so many great bands and so much stuff going on. We must not forget how many bands break out from NY.. it cannot be discredited!
SOPHIE ZINE: You are definitely in the mecca of culture in the U.S... Before I get too far ahead of myself though, for those who are unfamiliar, could you explain a little more about yourself and the show?
DANGER GRANGER: I am Danger Granger! I have a radio show called Independently Exposed on 93.7 KSPI (Stillwater), and no, it's not a Top 40 show like the rest of the station... Thank God for that. I play indie music... as well as some electro stuff. It's been going on now for about six months now.
SOPHIE ZINE: You've done quite a few interviews. What do you feel has been your best interview?
DANGER GRANGER: Let's see...
SOPHIE ZINE: Besides mine, of course.
DANGER GRANGER: Ohhh nice, that was pretty sexy. Although you definitely had a man voice.
SOPHIE ZINE: If interviews can be sexy...
DANGER GRANGER: Haha... They can definitely be sexy, thats how you get really good interviews, a little danger and a little bit of sexyness.
 | SOPHIE ZINE: Ha! back to the question! DANGER GRANGER: It's going to be a toss up between Colourmusic and Mayola. SOPHIE ZINE: Give me some highlights. DANGER GRANGER: The Roys [of Colourmusic] are just ridiculously funny guys. I asked them to bring in some music to play besides their own, and they brought in some crazy stuff. Like classical and 50's music! I decided not to do that again. Hahaha. SOPHIE ZINE: They definitely like to interject a bit of humor into their interviews. It's nice when people don't take themselves too seriously I guess. |
DANGER GRANGER: And Mayola is full of really intersting people, they are all really different characters, and I just genuinely like talking to them. I think when that comes across in an interview its great. It's horrible to get a interview with someone who just sits there and only answers with a "yes" or "no"... Horrible.
SOPHIE ZINE: I know, it's the worst! You're like.. "So, why do you feel that way?..." Ha!
DANGER GRANGER: No.
SOPHIE ZINE: No?
DANGER GRANGER: That's how they answer. People like to be difficult. Haha... not sexy.
SOPHIE ZINE: Not everyone can be sexy.
DANGER GRANGER: I know you really have to be born with it.
SOPHIE ZINE: Okay, okay. Sexy this. Sexy that...
DANGER GRANGER: Like me, I'm not really sexy, but I have this thing going for me called pharamones. It works wonders for me.
SOPHIE ZINE: Sorry, but I can't pick up on pharamones in online interview! So, you seem to keep up with music pretty well. What's your method of seeking out new music?
DANGER GRANGER: Well, I have several different ways. I mainly rely on word of mouth. I would much rather check out a band if someone I know, who has good music taste, tells me about a band. I also read a shit load of reviews online and in magazines. Finally, I really like to listen to skateboard video sound tracks. They seriously tend to have their finger on the pulse of underground music.
SOPHIE ZINE: And what are some of your new favorites? DANGER GRANGER: I thought you would never ask... I just got the RATATAT "Remixs 2," and that has been getting played on my iPod a lot. There is this song by M.I.A. called "Flight of the Conchords" off her new album called Paper Planes that is super good. Also the new Justice album, CSS, Elliot Smith, and lots of different individual tracks. SOPHIE ZINE: There's been a lot of buzz about that new M.I.A. album. DANGER GRANGER: It's good! I think I am going to see M.I.A. next month, and I'm really looking forward to it. SOPHIE ZINE: I guess in NYC you have access to a lot more shows. DANGER GRANGER: There's something everyday. And a lot of free shows. |  |
SOPHIE ZINE: Even better. And do you have a favorite venue yet?
DANGER GRANGER: McCareen Park Pool, they have lots of free summer shows, plus they have a water slide and dodge ball tournaments.
DANGER GRANGER: And lots of tight pants.
SOPHIE ZINE: That kicks ass.
SOPHIE ZINE: The tight pants, of course. Haha. There's my interview mess up. What's been your biggest on air mess up?
DANGER GRANGER: One time i forgot to turn off the mic, and something was acting strange with my computer. I started cussing at it while still on air.
SOPHIE ZINE: You are pretty regulated by the FCC, though?
DANGER GRANGER: I got a FCC fine of $1,250.
SOPHIE ZINE: Oh shit!
DANGER GRANGER: Just kidding.
SOPHIE ZINE: I'm glad I'm in print.
DANGER GRANGER: I could have, though.
SOPHIE ZINE: What words are off limits for you?
DANGER GRANGER: Fuck and shit, suck my cock, and God dammit. Maybe some others, but I'm not really too worried about it.
SOPHIE ZINE: What if you inserted "penis" there instead? You think that'd be alright?
DANGER GRANGER: I think words are just words, and people make to big of a deal about nothing. But I don't know. I will have to try it out and see. Haha.
SOPHIE ZINE: I'm going to cost you a grand!
DANGER GRANGER: Haha... I don't have to pay it! The station would... suckas!
SOPHIE ZINE: Do they sit you down and give you a list of what you can and cannot say? Or is that something you were taught in your media law class? I can just imagine that talk...
DANGER GRANGER: No, but they called me once and complained that one of my songs said "shit" in it. Haha. Ooops. I'm actually all in favor of satellite radio.
SOPHIE ZINE: Are you shooting for that someday?
DANGER GRANGER: I just don't have a satellite, but I'm saving up.
SOPHIE ZINE: That would really open you up to a larger audience.
DANGER GRANGER: Really, what I'm shooting for is a completely different type of radio than what's out right now.. .Like radio that allows you to become a co-programmer in the music you get to listen to, like a rating system but one that still delivers you news about bands and new music in whatever genre that you like. More personal control, that's the way everything is going now a days, and Ithink its the right direction... Radio really needs to catch up.
SOPHIE ZINE: For sure, there will be a lot innovations to come.
DANGER GRANGER: Like how you personalize you myspace, your laptop, your phone, your car.. You could program it to recommend based on your tastes.
SOPHIE ZINE: That'd be pretty awesome
DANGER GRANGER: Exactly... Let's take over the world! All i need is a good $5 million, anyone want to make a donation?
SOPHIE ZINE: In the meantime, I'm going to have to wrap things up. Any last words?
DANGER GRANGER: Suck cock, God dammit, and listen to the show... and someone give me $5 million.