ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 07: Radio character Ted Stryker performs onstage throughout the KROQ … [+]
One of many defining traits of profitable individuals is that they all the time wish to problem themselves. As quickly as a job will get too snug or too straightforward, they really feel the necessity for the following hurdle to maintain themselves concerned.
Why do you assume so many nice artists change their sound, begin facet tasks or go solo? Simply take a look at Dave Grohl, a contender for the most important rock star on planet earth. All he has achieved this yr is write a e-book, do a documentary, a disco album. Grohl, like anybody who’s profitable of their area, is on the lookout for the following rush.
That is the case for L.A.-based Ted Stryker, a radio and TV character who was in place to rule LA. radio. After years with the “World Well-known” KROQ, a station that truly did stay as much as its lofty moniker as essentially the most influential various station in radio for many years, Stryker was handed the morning present slot with companion Kevin Klein, final yr.
However after a number of adjustments with the station and its father or mother firm, Audacy he was merely prepared for a change. So this week, October 5, he launched a brand new podcast, Tuna On Toast.
The world has lots of podcasts, I imply, a lot, however as a revered trade veteran with a deserved popularity one of many nicest guys in media, Stryker is displaying already he’s going to be very aggressive within the crowded music podcast area.
His first three company — Tom Morello, Tom DeLonge and Mike Shinoda. I spoke with Stryker concerning the new present, why he made the transfer from terrestrial radio to podcasts and his dream company.
Steve Baltin: Typically the hardest interviews are essentially the most rewarding, as a result of they allow you to show your self. What was that one for you?
Ted Stryker: I hope I’ve earned their respect as a result of I do know my stuff, however on the prime of my record is Jack White. He hasn’t been on the podcast, however in my profession it is Jack. I really feel like if you do not know what you are doing he is gonna let you already know along with his physique language and perhaps his solutions. And the few occasions I have been fortunate sufficient to interview him, and two of these occasions in entrance of a very giant viewers, and stay on digicam on the similar time, I felt so completely happy afterwards it went nicely. And I really feel like he thought, “Yeah, this man’s alright, proper right here.”
Baltin: Taking it to this new venture for you, how has it felt for you personally?
Stryker: It’s completely exhilarating. Simply getting it of the bottom I already really feel like I’ve achieved one thing greater than I’ve achieved in a really, very very long time. I am a very impartial artist/host proper now. There isn’t a firm behind me. I am doing the reserving, the enhancing, I’ve somebody on right here serving to me with the three-camera setup and ensuring the lights are good and ensuring the whole lot is recording correctly, I am accountable for the social media, I’m accountable for the whole lot. Each single factor I am doing. After which having the artists that I attain out to say, “Yeah, in fact, we might love to come back on,” it offers me chills. And I’ve teared up a few occasions simply with gratitude that so many people, each which are in bands and behind the scenes individuals, whether or not they work in administration, radio or they produce TV reveals, they’ve reached out and requested very selflessly, “How can I assist?”
Baltin: Again to the apparent, however why a podcast?
Stryker: A podcast is one thing I can begin instantly, I knew I may do it alone and I had a imaginative and prescient of how I wished it to feel and appear. And the way in which that I devour audio, and many individuals I do know devour audio, is you hunker down and also you wish to go on this trip with the podcast you are listening to. And that is what I wish to convey to individuals. I am an enormous fan of podcasting. I am a fan of listening to interviews that are not simply 5 minutes and rushed such as you hear on the radio.
Baltin: What number of reveals have you ever recorded up to now?
Stryker: I’ve achieved three thus far, and I’ve one tomorrow and three subsequent week. So I’ve achieved Tom DeLonge, which I by no means introduced he was going to be on the present after which I let it out. “Tom DeLonge was at my home yesterday, holy s**t, consuming my Snickers and consuming my sugar-free Pink Bulls and sitting proper subsequent to me in my bed room. That is unbelievable.” So Tom DeLonge, Tom Morello, on Zoom, and Mike Shinoda got here to the home as nicely.
Baltin: What have been a few of your greatest takeaways from the interviews you’ve got achieved thus far?
Stryker: Tom DeLonge has so many tasks happening and he is so good, I virtually assume he’s under-appreciated with what he does. I am like, “Nicely, if Tom DeLonge can write a film, direct a film, be accountable for the federal government having some paperwork launched with regards to UFOs, begin a world tour, I can actually be accountable for a complete podcast.” First visitor was Tom Morello and I realized he was a juggler, labored on the Renaissance Honest for some time (laughs). So we talked concerning the Renaissance Honest and the way he had no life abilities to get a job in L.A. when he moved right here. He was simply hooked on the guitar. In order that’s one thing I realized.
Baltin: How has doing the present and taking up these new abilities reinvigorated you?
Stryker: I’ve all the time cherished sound enhancing, that’s simply enjoyable me to do. I positively have assist with the video. However the audio, I really like doing it. I really feel like I’ve achieved extra within the final 4 weeks than I did earlier. And I am extra excited concerning the job once more. I misplaced my pleasure for broadcasting the final yr and a half and I’ve bought it again. I’ve bought my mojo again. I really feel it.
Baltin: What have been your favourite issues so far about doing the podcast?
Stryker: I can play to my strengths, I can enable artists to shine. I really like seeing bands and artists succeed. I really like watching a band, who performed the Troubadour to 100 individuals, then a yr and a half later they’re taking part in the Discussion board. I like to be a brilliant duper small half in help and be this place, Tuna On Toast, the place artists can really feel snug. It is a secure house, constructive place the place they will have enjoyable.
Baltin: What are your different present objectives after being on KROQ so lengthy?
Stryker: I wish to be on tv, I want to get again into some performing, I wish to do voiceover work. I’ve achieved video video games up to now. I’m at a spot the place I really feel like I’ve bought a black canvas once more, like I had many, a few years in the past. I wish to fill it up and I’ve began with this podcast, which I am so excited for. This isn’t gonna take a backseat to something that comes alongside until it is some provide that’s simply loopy, loopy, loopy. However I want to be doing three or 4 issues directly. And I am nonetheless doing my syndicated present.
Baltin: Apparent query, however who’s on the want record for the present?
Stryker: Tom Morello was on my record, simply so you already know. Somebody to sit down in this chair, proper there, I might love Dave Grohl to come back over. I’ve chatted with him up to now, however by no means like a full sit down. I believe the man is the most effective. He’s proper on the prime of my record.