It’s midnight on a Thursday but the WVAU radio booth’s lights are on and kicking for the next two hours as DJ Max Tani delivers sweet sound to your ears. Tani, a sophomore in journalism and film, has been running his show for the past four semesters.
His live show, “Baroqueback Mountain,” was born out of a need to “wind down and take a break from schoolwork and stress,” Tani said. Besides a meticulously edited playlist, Tani plans out his time slot so that it includes background information on artists, assorted commentary, interviews and more.
He said his song selection is based on “melodic, catchy or complex qualities” ranging from indie rock to hip hop.
One of his current favorites is Unrest, a local ‘80s indie rock band whose lyrics appeal to him because they uses recognizable D.C. references.
When asked about considering airing samples of AU students’ music and promoting fellow musicians, Tani said, “WVAU would love to share [their] work.”
Tani’s audience tunes in from both the East and West coasts. Since all WVAU shows are streamed through the Internet, the local AU community and friends from his native California are able to listen.
However, the fact that WVAU is only accessible online also limits who can listen to it.
“It’s not available in a wide range of locations, like with broadcasts,” Tani said.
Coming from an arts high school in Orange County, Tani easily transitioned to the music scene in D.C.
Sometimes he finds himself “holed up in [his] apartment, writing lyrics or messing with guitar pedals” or hanging out at a concert at one of D.C.’s numerous small venues.
Tani appreciates that, “[shows] in D.C. are intimate [and] good shows don’t sell out as quickly,” he said.
In addition to DJing, Tani is an assistant music director for WVAU, reviewing dozens of CDs sent by promotional companies and record labels. Several of them are available in his blog at http://streamlinedreviews.wordpress.com. After review, albums deemed “good stuff” are put on “The Rack” which many DJs refer to at some point during their shows.
He also writes reviews on art, film and music for The Eagle and the WVAU blog.
Tani will be the opening act at WVAU’s Capital Punishment concert Feb. 10.
The show will also feature two other AU acts: the dream-pop group “Western Affairs” and the jazz/afro-funk band “The Neologians.”
The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Kay Spiritual Life Center Basement.
This piece is part of the Audible at AU Series featuring AU musicians.
