Featured Base DJ – R.I.A

At the risk of stereo typing, the Base FM office has been looking a little prettier and smelling a bit sweeter lately with the addition of a third woman to the Base HQ team. R.I.A is a DJ from the early days of Base FM, when she started up the Mixed Bizness show. Since those days she’s been DJing, snowboarding and adventuring around the world. She’s now returned to the loving embrace of Base to do a weekly rotation with Benn Morrison on the Sifty Goodness show (Tuesdays, 6 -8pm) while also working on an exciting new project to bring more of your favourite radio station to more of New Zealand and the rest of the world.

When and how did you get into DJing?

I was always a radio DJ. I started selecting tunes for my radio show Rhythmajik Culture in 2001, which was lots of dub, ambient and electronica. I then started a live jam night at The Bondi Hotel with a friend and we needed tunes in between the acts, so I picked up that role playing heaps of local music from that bands I loved, mixed with reggae and more electronic music. I got a job at the local music shop in Bondi cleaning and tuning Guitars, but naturally gravitated towards the DJ PA hire department and started my infatuation with sound systems and DJ gear. Around about the same time a friend lent me a crate of house music vinyl and I was beat matching and DJing in bars the following weekend.  Not too long after that, I was asked to do the NZ music show on Bondi FM and this is where I started to play heaps of reggae, more dub and urban funk. From there I got right into dancehall and black dance music, then back to house, funk and disco. My journey has been epic and it’s still going traversing across styles and countries!

When did you start DJing at Base?

Probably did my first show towards the end of 2006.

The last record you bought that would surprise listeners the most?

Something Got Me Started, Simply Red.

What song got you out of bed this morning?

Love and Happiness, Al Green.

Favourite DJ?

Dylan C, oh and maybe Agent 86 from Melbourne. I love that he rocks every style of music possible, and is also a DMC scratch champion. Respect to Nigel.

Favourite show on Base?

The Headspace with Dylan C

First record/CD/tape cassette you ever bought?

Michael Jackson, Bad 1987. Closely followed by Bananarama 1988.

Guilty pleasure?

Sex with the lights on.

What’s your proudest achievement?

Dropping everything to travel to the other side of the world to go snowboarding. Life is short. We’re here for a good time, not a long time.

What track do you open with to revive a dying dance floor?

Depending on the crowd, anything from Michael Jackson, or Lucy Pearl – Don’t Mess With My Man, or Ed Solo – We Play The Music

What do you do for fun when you’re not DJing?

Biking, Snowboarding, yoga, dancing, hula-hooping.

Your signature dish to impress friends with?

Miso soup, with organic soba noodles, steamed greens and tamari tofu.

What would you save in a house fire?

Passport and computer.

Worst job you ever had?

Picking Ginger out of the mud in 45 Degree heat inland Sunshine Coast, Australia… That sucked.

Dream venue or party to DJ at?

Burning Man, Roots Society.

Something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve been vegetarian my whole life and still grew big and strong.

Favourite bar?

One with free drinks.

Top 3 concerts of all times?

Big Day Out AKL 97 (Sound Garden, Prodigy)

Big Day Out SYD ’04 (Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

Burning Man 2010, Roots Society, main stage “Erectus” (Deekline, Stanton Warriors and The Crystal Method)

And finally, what have you been working on lately?

I’m working with Jazz on on a super special campaign called “Digital Liberation”. Base FM has never done anything like this before, so I am super stoked to be part of the radio resurgence! Brace yourself and stay tuned!!!

I’m also starting a weekly rotation with Benn Morrison 6-8PM, Tuesday’s starting 16th APRIL!

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