CIUT FM

CIUT web-lady, Rose, caught up with CIUT’s latest volunteer programmer, Talia Newman, to talk about her new show, the Mixtape Escape.

R: Rose (CIUT Web Lady) / T: Talia  (Mixtape Escape Host)

R: Tell us how you got involved with CIUT?

T: So I got involved because of Vanessa Purdy, she’s the volunteer coordinator. We both go to U of T at Trinity College. So Vanessa heard from Ken (CIUT Station Manager) that they were looking for new show proposals and she also knows that I’m really into music, so she said I’d be perfect for this. I’ve always wanted to be on the radio and I don’t know why its just this weird thing when I was a kid I thought the radio was the coolest thing. I was thinking of doing my own podcast but then Vanessa threw that my way and I jumped at the opportunity.

R: You host the show Mixtape Escape, tell us about the show and how you came up with the concept.

T: I love making my friends mixtapes, even if they’re on CDs. It’s about the thought behind it not the device you record the music on.

I’m also a music nerd who’s obsessed with Motown. I’ve watched all the documentaries, read articles, did lots of research, so I thought it would be cool if I could do a show where I could tell these stories.

The show is open format, mixtapes of music that I like, and sometimes themed. My Soundtracks themed show is coming up. I really want to play the theme from the Magnificent Seven because that is the best cowboy movie ever.

R: What can the listener expect from your show?

T: A little bit of Soul, Funk, Rhythm & Blues, but I try to mix it up. I try to include electro, indie pop & rock and throw back stuff–stuff that’s been lost in the time warp continuum. I like to say I play songs you don’t even know you want to hear.

R: You just went to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Tell us about it.

T: I went last year too and I felt like I’d been there before. I really dig the vibe of the city. There’s such a rich history and culture and such a crazy music scene. They can play Toronto out of the park. Showmanship is really important too, there’s always a show, a performance. You look like an idiot if you don’t dance. I saw Earth Wind and Fire last year and there was this big African American lady dancing and there was this frail pale lady behind her, just standing there. And the big lady turned to her and said “MOVE!” and the frail lady looked kind of scared and then the big lady said, “No, Move!” and started to make the frail lady dance. I love that.

R: Any upcoming shows you plan to check out this summer?

T: I don’t know if the Island Show is happening, but I hope they do it again. If Broken Social Scene ever reads this, I want them to know they should do it every year. It’s my favorite Toronto show. It represents summer in Toronto for me. Everyone has a good attitude, people are really nice there, and everyone is just trying to enjoy themselves. I went to the first show and it was my summer highlight.

R: Thanks Talia!

You can listen to the Mixtape Escape with Talia Newman on Mondays from 12-2am on CIUT 89.5 FM.