Eric Funk

How long have you been involved with KRKQ and how did you first hear about the station?

My brother and I co-founded KRKQ in 2011. We built the station from its construction permit stage, including, quite literally, climbing the tower and building a custom DJ-Assist system ourselves. We are both full-time RF Engineers and we had worked in college radio in the past. So, KRKQ enabled us to combine our engineering skills with our love of radio and independent music to create something unique, Mountain Chill.

We definitely surprised our community by breaking from the expected mountain town jam band and roots-rock format. Under the theme of “chilled vibes,” we celebrate electronica, world music, Latin alternative, beats, and conscious hip-hop genres among others. We strive to be a home for people of all ages and backgrounds who may not necessarily be in the mountain town rock and Americana music orbit.

What advice can you offer other MDs regarding the ways you get your DJ’s to play the new music the station receives from labels and promoters?

New music is what differentiates us from the rest of the radio dial. Though our DJ’s pick their own sets, they tend to play a big portion of their shows from the new release category because that’s a strong part of our station’s identity.

What part of your job do you love the most?

We routinely hear from people who have listened to our station through personally challenging times. They tell us that the music and the sense of community they feel has helped them persevere. I love that we are able to bring some hope into the world through music.

What is your favorite album released in the last year? Is there a 2022 release on the horizon you are eagerly awaiting?

It would have to be Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders’, “Promises” as the best of 2021. Of releases that I’m anticipating, Royksopp’s “Profound Mysteries II” and Dimandaa Galas’ “Broken Gargoyles” are both up there.

Do you have a favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

When I need to get centered, I always go back to Bacon de Gaia. His meld of world and electronic music is second to none.

Which artist/band has put on the best live show you’ve ever seen? Have you attended a live show recently now that tours are happening? If so, how was it seeing live music again?

I’ve seen some incredible shows, but seeing Roger Miller (from Mission of Burma) play a prepared piano with loops at the QE2 club in Albany in 1987 was the most perspective-shifting shows that I can remember as a twentysomething. More recently, I’d say that seeing Yajeii play at the Fine Line in Minneapolis in 2018 was amazing. A jam-packed hall of people moving to ambient house music with Korean lyrics is something that could only happen in this time and place. As for live DJ sets, seeing Bonobo, Quantic, and TOKiMONSTA play at Wings over the Rockies in Denver back in 2019 was quite transcendent. Wings Over the Rockies is an old aircraft hangar converted to an air and space museum. It’s the best backdrop ever for chilling to DJ sets.

Who is an artist or band totally outside the realm of the music you play on KRKQ that people might be surprised to know you love?

I love industrial music from the 1980s such as Throbbing Gristle, Merzbow, and Psychic TV as well as avant-garde artists who recorded in that same era like Meredith Monk, Pauline Oliveros, and John Zorn.

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

Without question, I’d fix climate change. It is a question of social and environmental justice. To serve as inspiration, KRKQ, transitioned to all green energy a few years ago. We also leveraged our high tower elevation (11,000 ft.) to obtain our 6-kW equivalent Class A FM overage while consuming just a tiny fraction of that in power. Many of our sponsors are also 100% green energy users.

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

Well, here’s one; I developed an often painful autoimmune condition about 16 yrs. ago. The creative aspect of making radio has been an important part of staying in a good frame of mind.

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

I’d like to sip a cocktail in a 1920s speakeasy while listening to the music that inspired nu-jazz and electro-swing artists like Parov Stelar.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in town (dine-in or take out) that you recommend people try?

In Telluride, CO (our FM Service area), La Cocina de Luz serves great Mexican and southwestern food, but it is their home-made ice cream that really does it for me. (Full disclosure that La Cocina is a KRKQ sponsor.) In Ouray, CO (where our studio is located) it’s Brickhouse 737, scoring high for their sit-down dinner menu and their super-chill front-of-house music choices.

What in your life brings you the most joy?

Discovering new things about people, music, science, and culture always brings me joy.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Rescue-cat
Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl
City or Country? Country for home, City for culture.
Beach or Mountains? Mountains for home, beach for a getaway.
Watch TV or Read A Book? Documentaries.
Sunny or Rainy? Actually, snowy. I’m a skier.
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking, because my wife is an amazing cook and I’m gluten free.
Pants or Shorts? Pants, except when hiking, then shorts.
Warm or Cold drinks? Single malt whisky, neat at room temp.

Do you have any current favorite TV shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you would recommend?

“Shetland.” It’s not only great noir, but the filming locations are spectacular. Can we have another season, please?

Finally, Social Media: Do you enjoy it and find it has enhanced your life or do you think people would be happier without it and that it’s caused more societal harm than good? Light question, right?

Mixcloud is still a great music social media site to hear and share music mixes from people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Otherwise, creepy ads that stalk us and angry people have spoiled the fun on the big social media sites. Mountain Chill often posts, but the most genuine interaction with listeners is still by e-mail.