Nichole Marie

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

I first heard about KRBX in 2011 through friends who were already involved when they were streaming online. I had been a college radio DJ and after graduating I was narrating audio books for the Idaho Commision for Libraries Talking Book Service that provides content to the blind and disabled of Idaho. I was looking for a way to get more involved in my community and feeling a little lost until I had a conversation with a programmer who encouraged me to come to a meeting. Turned out that I knew about half the volunteers there through a local music venue. I then became involved in fundraising and helped to add music to our collection. I submitted a show proposal in 2013 and I started my own show, “The Rapture” which airs Tuesdays 12-3 pm. It was March 2018 when I officially became the Music Director.

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

As a non-profit, non-comm radio station I cannot tell our DJs what to play–which is great! Free form media is so important right now. What I can do is make new music easily accessible by putting songs into a folder on our cart player. I also put new vinyl and CDs in the Control Room for them to use on their shows if they want.

What part of your job do you love the most?

Discovering new music and new artists.

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

Choosing just one artist is not possible! Some of my favorites are Automatic, Foals, Beach Bunny, Momma, Bay Ledges, Sorry and Wet Leg keeps impressing me.

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

Foals

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?

Another tough one to narrow down but Phantogram puts on a great live show and I was very moved seeing Lizzo live. Kae Tempest (fka Kate Tempest) headlined at our local music festival, Treefort, and it was a once in a lifetime experience. We saw WEEN recently and it was so great to see old friends and feel that energizing vibe that live music lovers share.

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

It’s more of a genre: Bardcore. Creators rework songs using lutes, fiddles and harps, rewriting lyrics in Olde World style.

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

Overturning of Roe v. Wade

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

The four years I spent at the University of Idaho not only gave me a higher education, it helped shape my musical tastes. It was when I started attending music festivals and live shows in small venues as well as my first experience “behind the mic”

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

Whenever there was equality for all sexes and races. When was that?

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

Fort Street Station

What in your life brings you the most joy?

Music

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Cat
Morning Person or Night Owl? Morning Person
City or Country? no comment
Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Watch TV or Read A Book? TV
Sunny or Rainy? Rainy
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking
Pants or Shorts? PANTS
Warm or Cold drinks? Warm in the morning, cold at night

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?

I love watching UK police procedurals and thrillers. All of the Ghibli Studios movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro.

Finally, when you are craving a special treat, what is your go-to sweet treat or junk food?

Chocolate covered almonds with sea salt