Staff Q&A: Harmony Soleil

She really does not need an introduction, but Harmony Soleil has been a central part of C89.5 for about half of her life so far. I chat her up all the time, but it usually spirals into a conversation where I try to be more goth than her. It never works. She’s more goth. Anyway, this time our conversation had focus.

Richard: Hi Harmony! Thanks for spending some time with us. When can we hear you on C89.5?

Harmony: The Weekend Windup (Fridays 6-8pm), The Drive at 5 (Thursday 5pm) & The 10 Hottest (Sunday 7pm)

Richard: What kind of music do you play on your shows?

Harmony: For the Weekend Windup, it’s really all about the listeners. I like to bring music that is perfect for a Friday night, that gets the weekend going and makes people feel good. That everything from progressive house to throwbacks to trap! The Drive at 5 is a little more specific for me, I have a top secret formula that I use but right now I am really into future house and bass house, there is some really great remixes and original tracks out right now that sound amazing and are a lot of fun to mix into. I also really enjoy bringing in unexpected songs (I have a remix of “The Lion King” theme…!) as well as throwbacks. They can be really fun and I love the reaction from listeners. My goal is basically for those who listen to my shows to stop and go “OH MY GOSH THIS IS MY JAM!” and to have one of those really pure and really awesome moments. That is what drives me in both DJing and curating the Weekend Windup!

Richard: What’s your favorite style of music?

Harmony: I literally love all kinds of music. Growing up my mom exposed me to everything from rock to reggae to classic 90s dance music, so my tastes are super broad. I love pop (sorry not sorry…), punk rock, house, progressive house, future house, future bass, disco/nu disco but I really don’t like to fence myself in when it comes to music. If it sounds good I am down!

Richard: What’s the best part about being on C89.5?

Harmony: I LOVE connecting with the listeners, whether its in person at events or on the phone/text lines. Its such a satisfying experience to connect with people over something as important and universal as music! I also just love sharing the music that I love with other people and having this strong connection, its always so positive and is so much fun.

Richard: What’s an awesome C89.5 experience that’s stuck with you?

Harmony: There have been so many amazing experiences over the last ten years (!!!) that it is really hard to pick just one. Last October I met one of my all time favorite people and DJs, Kaskade. I was able to interview and hang out with him for a little bit and that was absolutely amazing. I also remember once the power was out in the main studio when Richard J. Dalton and I were doing the Drive at 5 and to improvise we put his controller and computer on this tiny little table and wheeled it into the super cramped engineering closet, plugged in a mic and did the entire show from there. I have no idea how we both fit in that tiny room but it was one of the more interesting work-arounds we have come up with. And of course when Lady Gaga came to the station the main thing she wanted was fresh guacamole….which we had to make…right before she showed up. Although I don’t know if she liked it or not? She performed so I assume she did?

Richard: Yeah, she liked the guacamole, especially after I told her the students made it. Thank you so much for spending some time with us for the Q&A, Harmony!

Harmony: I feel really lucky to have worked with C89 for so long! It has been such an incredible experience over the last 10 years and I am so looking forward to the next 10!