WESU DJs in the World with Leo Miranda ’20
We’re back with another edition of WESU in the World, a series that will feature interviews from various WESU DJs and fans from around the world to check in with them to see how they’re doing and what they’re up to as we face the covid-19 crisis together. We hope these interviews will remind you of the value of the non-commercial content WESU provides to the Middletown community, and the world. Right now, WESU must raise more than usual to balance our books. We are currently 15% towards our goal! If you are feeling particularly inspired or generous, please donate to our Spring Pledge Drive at http://wesufm.org/pledge to keep Free-Form Radio alive! We recognize that times are tough for all and not everyone has the ability to give, but we would be grateful for any amount you can contribute. Even a penny counts!
Our third guest in the series features Leo Miranda ’20, a recently graduated DJ. Check out the interview below!
Luke: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me Miles! First off, where are you and how are you?
Leo: Hi Luke! I am at home in NYC, and I’m doing well. My brother and father had COVID-19, but have kicked it and are doing great.
What do you miss most about pre-quarantine life that you weren’t expecting to miss?
I miss hugging friends and being able to be around folks and not be worried about contracted much except a common cold.
What are some of the things that have been on your mind while staying at home?
I think about the people really struggling right now, with COVID rampant in their community. It’s tough out there right now, especially tough.
Any new hobbies?
New hobbies, not yet, although I want to start making music on my computer more this summer. I’ve been playing a lot of video games (haha) and going on walks. Trees and grass and parks give me such new life now.
How long have you been a DJ?
I’ve been a DJ since frosh spring! Miles (Dj StocksandSocks/DJ Veggie Boi) and I met through the training sessions at the radio. Well, really it was through a google doc that y’all had put up for people who didn’t have a co-host yet. We both put down that we were interested in jazz/rnb/hip-hop and then met up and hit it off from there!
What’s your DJ name and how did you choose it? Or did it choose you?
My DJ name is MC Magee. I took that name from one of my favorite childhood books, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. I like the alliteration.
What show(s) have you broadcast in the past at WESU?
All the semesters, Miles and I have run our Jazzalicious Definition show which focused in on jazz/RnB and hip-hop, usually on modern variations and cross-overs of those genres. Think Alfa Mist and people like Makaya McCraven and Theon Cross and Jorja Smith.
Do you remember your first show? I dont remember our first show, but we hadn’t found our voice yet so to speak, we started with more bebop traditional-sounding Jazz though, in those days. We were still under the idea that that sound was Jazz, and that fusions and modern takes were something else. I think today I’d consider all of it jazz or jazz-inspired.
Do you miss being on air at WESU?
I do miss being on air at the radio. We didn’t have a “final” show, we thought we were going to have 1 more, and I even came up that week to pack up my room and also do our last show, but that was the week we stopped having in-person on-air shows.
What kind of music are you listening to right now?
I am listening to more folk and indie right now. Sammy Rae is amazing, and I think some of the best music I know of.
Do you have any favorite moments or memories associated with WESU?
Some of my favorite moments at WESU have been when miles and I had DJ Window (Nur, a community gardener and resident and activist and warm soul and powerhouse) on the show. We would have excellent and thought provoking conversations about life and progress and music!
Why should people care about WESU?
WESU is in a long but dwindling line of community-ran radio. Most media (radio included) is at least in part corporate-powered, if not totally run by media conglomerates. When you have that sort of overseer, the truth and the community cannot be truly served. Moreover, all of the DJs are volunteers from the community. It’s radio for the community by the community. That is what connection at the community level is about. That’s the way forward.
Any final thing you’d like to say to the people out there?
True freedom is about content, not form. You can be free to make choices, but if they are only the choices set upon you, you are not truly free. Thus true freedom is the freedom to make plans and enact them.
Thanks to Leo again for taking the time to speak with us. As always, you can donate to wesufm.org/pledge to give to our Spring Pledge Drive. Free Form Forever!
