Show Spotlight: Beijo Brasileiro

From Jazz and Funk to Samba and Salsa or Cumbia and Calypso, the world beat of Beijo Brasileiro can’t be beat. Whether he’s deejaying live from his front porch, our studio, a club or from another continent(!), host K-Schef’s entrepreneurial energy is unmatched at Radio Boise. Meet him in this Show Spotlight interview.

(Beijo Brasileiro airs live every Saturday afternoon from 1 – 3 PM.)

When did you discover Radio Boise and get involved?

I strolled into a volunteer orientation Spring 2018, and stuck around afterwards to pitch my show idea to [Program Director] Wayne. Been here ever since; started at the 1 – 3 AM Monday morning slot for about 6 months, then moved to 1 – 3 PM on Saturdays – where I still reside.

For those who may not be familiar with Beijo Brasileiro, how would you describe the show’s sound?

Future beats, eclectic Samba, forgotten Jazz.

Do you have a ritual surrounding your show? You know, a ritual meal or a certain artist you have to play?

75% of the show is music I’ve never played on the radio before. So the week before each show, I peruse Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Instagram (the three main places I get my music) for new edits or overlooked gems to download. After I’ve got a playlist of about an hour or so of new music, I start to look at the BPMs and keys of the songs. This is so I can actually cue them in an order that allows me to mix the songs together; turning my show into a two hour continuous experience as opposed to just a static playlist. A lot of my mixing turns into improvisation, usually towards the end of the show.

What can you not stop listening to these days?

Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s Jazz is Dead series, releasing albums with the likes of Marcos Valle, Roy Ayers, Azymuth and Lonnie Smith.

What other kinds of things keep you busy in life [outside of radio]?

Everything I do is music-centric. From digging through the crates physically at The Record Exchange or digitally via SoundCloud, I live to find new music that gives me a particular feeling. Could be Brazilian, American, Cuban, German, whatever.

What other KRBX shows do you listen to?

My favorite new-ish show is Life in the Sunshine (Fridays 2 – 4 PM). James will play a lot of Latin/Brazilian stuff. Shout out my favorite shows Tennis Court Disco, Sunday Soul Party, Drift Correction and The Uncertain Radio Programme.

Why do you believe volunteering for community radio is important?

The only thing comparable to community radio in an equally accessible medium would be public access TV. I’ve had much more positive experiences with the former, in general. Radio Boise is by leaps and bounds the most honest, caring and transparent organization I have ever dealt with. The staff is truly dedicated to giving a platform to the community and helping people accomplish their goals through radio and involvement in the arts.

Beijo Brasileiro airs Saturday from 1 – 3 PM.