Omar has become an experienced broadcaster and interviewer and has had the priviledge of chatting with Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices), Bill Stevenson (Descendents, ALL), John Reis (Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes), Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Gutter Twins), Joan Jett, Scott Kanneberg (Pavement, Spiral Stairs), Superchunk, David Yow (Jesus Lizard, Qui), Blag Dhalia (the Dwarves), Nellie McKay, Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow (the Posies), Brother Ali, Silversun Pickups (their first interview following the release of their debut EP, Pikul), Mark and Shawn Stern (Youth Brigade, BYO Records), Walter Schriefels (Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits), David Wisdom (legendary canadian broadcaster, ex-host of "NightLines" on CBC), and countless others.
Well regarded in the campus/community radio industry, Omar has trained many CJLO DJs, spoken on a panel at the CMJ Music Marathon, critiqued demos on the Songwriter’s Association of Canada’s Demo Derby at NXNE, and has also taken home the CMJ Award for Music Director of the Year in 2006 and 2008, and (ha ha), the CMJ Award for Sexiest Voice (Male) in 2006. Omar has most recently been invited to showcase "Hooked on Sonics" at the International Radio Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, where CJLO was the only station selected from Canada.
He also enjoys milkshakes, chocolate chip cookies, economics, pyrotechnics, and habitual line stepping...
photo courtesy of Stina Sieg - www.stinasieg.com
One of the best sessions we've ever been priviledged to have at CJLO, Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) and Dave Hause (Loved Ones, Paint it Black) recorded five songs, collaborating on each others' songs with one of them being an exclusive cover of Canadian singer-songwriter Northcote's song "Worry". Both Chuck and Dave wanted to give our listeners...
Brisbane, Australia's An Horse stopped by CJLO's studios to record a stripped down acoustic session for Hooked on Sonics. The band was on tour supporting their debut full length record Rearrange Beds and were making their first visit to Montreal. Oddly enough, singer/guitarist Kate Cooper now resides in Montreal. Maybe it was the charm of CJLO that convinced her to move? Maaaaybe...
...
*INTERVIEW TO BE POSTED ASAP - stay tuned*
One of my personal highlights of working at CJLO was when we welcomed modern punk legends Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) and ...
CJLO correspondent and View from the Venue videographer Julia Hoelscher caught up with vocalist/guitarist Chris Cresswell from The Flatliners on their tour of eastern Canada in support of their “Count Your Bruises” 7” EP. The ska-punk band from Toronto, Ontario who have been making legitimate music together since before they had their drivers licenses. If that doesn't impress you, their most recent full length release, Cavalcade, most...
Returning to the CJLO environment for their second session recording, Kingston noisepop duo PS I Love You recorded a set for Dirty Work, here's a little write up on the session by Dirty Work host...
