JustArts: What are the names of your shows, and what inspired you to create them?Jackie Benowitz '11: Well, on Sunday evenings there's my radio show Jackie's Random Theme. It was inspired by my old radio show Roy G. Biv (color theme, different color each week). I felt that I needed a theme or each radio show would be similar each week. I have two live music shows because I love doing live music and sound engineering. Last semester, I had an impromptu vinyl hour with one of the music directors, Jake [Blair '13]. ... It started one day when I was at the station early for one of my shows and Jake and I were looking at vinyl and I knew the next DJ wasn't gonna be there, so we were like, "Let's play some vinyl!" There are a lot of gems in that collection. ... We talked about doing it this semester, however we haven't worked out our schedules yet (and Jake has a lot of shows this semester, too) so I can't promise anything. It would be pretty cool if we can get it working again.

JA: What kind of themes do you do? What are some recent themes? What are some themes you plan on doing in the future?

JB: I do all types of themes, chosen by me or my various random co-hosts that show up to keep me company. Usually, they have to do with something that happened that week, or something I really want to play. For example, next week I'll be doing Beaches because a) I'm in love with the Beach Boys and b) that new Beach House album is pretty awesome. My most popular show, last semester, featured Boy Bands, which was a pretty great idea. I played Protozoa on that show (from Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century); and I'm not embarrassed to say I loved it. I'll probably be doing another one of those this semester.

JA: Could you please describe the two live music shows for our readers?

JB: So, the first show is entitled The Joint, in which we bring in a full band to play a set live on air. As compensation, we give the band a recording of the set that night. We feature Brandeis bands and Boston area bands (and sometimes bands on tour from, like, California). In the past (the way past), we've had the Pixies and the Dresden Dolls come on. So, it's pretty interesting to see what band might make it big in the future. Secondly, we have The Coffeehouse, in which we feature an acoustic band or an acoustic set by a full band. Usually it's a very folk-y scene, but sometimes we have different genres (last semester we had this emo-esque acoustic guy ... that was ... fun). It's nice and relaxing, though; especially compared to Tuesday nights, which can be pretty hectic.

JA: Can you talk about what you do as live music coordinator? Also do you have any special plans for the Coffeehouse and The Joint this semester?

JB: As the Live Music Coordinator, I book the shows for the semester, direct the staff during shows, and make sure the show runs smoothly.

JA: What are some upcoming bands for those two shows that you are looking forward to?

JB: Well, I am planning to bring two bands from last semester for a Cholmondeley's show this semester. I'm really excited about that. Both bands were pretty awesome: Adrien and the Fine Print and The Day Life. That should be pretty cool, and nice to see these bands in a real-venue environment. ... Chum's is more like a club, with couches and the stage and lights and all. The Multipurpose Room is just that: a multi-purpose room, with no stage, no stage lighting, no sound system. It is a surreal venue, and bands often comment on the vastness of the room.

As for bands I'm looking forward to for this semester, there's this guy who calls himself Skyjelly who's coming Feb. 23. He's like a techno, electronic, Middle Eastern sounding guy. It should be really interesting.

Actually, last week we had a Brandeis band called The MTs playing. The MTs are made up of 3 sophomores: Harrison Webb, Benny Gronich, and Myles Tyrer-Vasell. They relate themselves to Iron and Wine, saying they are acoustic-folk, and their line-up includes a ukulele.

Jackie's Random Theme airs from 8 to 10 p.m. on Sundays. The Joint airs from 10 to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and is broadcast from the Shapiro Campus Center Multipurpose Room. Coffeehouse is broadcast from 3 to 4 p.m. on Fridays.