This DJ’s weapon of choice is some smooth jams. Allison Pin is the current WRFL General Manager. Her show, Weapons of Choice was last on air in the fall of 2019. Although Allison isn’t on the schedule this spring, she’s working hard to keep WRFL running from behind the scenes. And who knows? Maybe Weapons of Choice will make a comeback someday.
How long have you been a WRFL DJ?
I’ve been a DJ since winter 2016, spring of 2017. I was DJ trained in the fall of 2016, my freshman year of college.
Have you been a DJ anywhere else before?
Nope! Except in my room when I’m jammin’.
Do you have any frequent guests or co-hosts?
No, I typically enjoy doing my show alone! Being in the booth is the perfect time for me to enjoy the music I put together. It’s also the perfect time for me to dance and sing as loud as I want with no one bothering me.
Why did you join WRFL?
I actually had started listening to WRFL while I was in high school and knew about it since. I love music, especially underground/alternative music, and when I came to college, I knew that WRFL would be the place for me. I was totally right and I have stuck with it ever since!
What do you play on your show?
I play primarily R&B, soul/neo-soul, hip-hop, funk, and a little bit of jazz. I jump back and forth from older R&B and soul (Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu) to very new R&B and soul (H.E.R., Raveena, Snoh Aalegra).
Why do you play what you do on your show? What sparked that interest?
All the genres I play on my show are definitely my most favorite genres. I love sharing it with the listening public and I love the kind of cool and sweet on-air personality I bring as well. In terms of the music, I think it’s really cool for a listener- and honestly myself- to hear the different ways the old influences the new, and how the new pays tribute to the old.
Who are some of your favorite musical artists?
Since we are on the topic of old and new:
Old: Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown New: Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Hiatus Kaiyote, Tank and the Bangas
What’s your process for planning your show?
I typically start a working playlist throughout the week and add songs that I’m gravitating more towards during that time. I think it’s reflective of my mood for that week and keeps things kind of fresh and different for the listener. I also try to incorporate that concept of “old” and “new” when creating that working playlist. Throughout my show, I will point out certain connections with certain songs or albums. For example, I’m super big into the “Soulquarians”, the unofficial neo-soul collective that includes The Roots, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu, to name a few. I’ll play a lot of their songs next to each other and during my talking breaks, I’ll make note that many of them helped each other to produce their albums. I gain a lot of music history knowledge from this as well.
What do you do outside of WRFL?
I am a senior in mechanical engineering now, and I’ll be graduating in December 2020. I am also involved with the Society of Women Engineers (go female STEM ladies!) and just recently joined Formula Kentucky, the Formula 1 team at UK. I also love doing yoga and going hiking.
Do you have a favorite memory of something that happened at WRFL, either during your show or at a WRFL event?
One of my most favorite memories was most recently, the 32nd Birthday Bash. We hosted it at 21C and it was a blast. Everyone was having a good time, and the bands were fantastic. I’m personally proud to be able to say I helped make that happen, and I’m glad that it was a success! I couldn’t thank everyone enough for putting in the hard work, cause it really came through.
What other WRFL shows or DJs do you like listening to? Why?
The Humpday Bump – Zach knows the funky bops. He really does.
1969 in the Sunshine – I love Michelle. She has a great on-air presence.
Old School Hip-Hop – Tommy Mizla TEARS IT UP. He is doing us a service with his show.
Do you have a “Most Interesting Phone Call” story from your time as a DJ?
Not that I can recall… the phone calls that I have gotten most recently have either been a “Your show is great!” or “Hey, it’s the next DJ. Can you let me in?”
Can you share a story of an interaction with a listener of your show?
This past DisOrientation, I had met my soon-to-be trainee (not a trainee anymore!), Tyler Marie, and she had mentioned she listened to my show and I just melted because she hit the nail with all the artists we both listen to and ended up talking for 3 hours straight. I love her and her energy, and is such a perfect fit for RFL. She had actually mentioned our first encounter in her “Meet the DJs”, so check that out as well!
What do you want listeners to take away from your show?
As a listener, I want to make you:
Dance- It’s fun!
Develop strong emotions from several powerful tunes, I do play a lot of those.
Sing out loud! It’s the best way to feel the soul in the music I play.
What do you hope for the future of your show?
I’m not certain of how long I will live in Lexington. But all I know is if I’m in Lexington, I want to do my show. I hope that whenever I am on, I can continue to bring you the enjoyment I get from listening to the music I broadcast.
Why did you run for WRFL’s General Manager position?
I ran for the General Manager position for many different reasons, but I think the big reason is because I knew that I had the capabilities to be able to lead the station in the way that many DJs were wanting. I will forever appreciate WRFL’s mission and purpose, and I’ve always had an affinity for leadership, so when the opportunity came up to run, I decided to do it. I’m definitely glad that I did.
What has your experience being GM been like? What have been some highlights of that experience?
It has been an unforgettable experience so far! I have held several leadership positions before assuming my role as GM, but this is certainly different. It requires lots of attention, care, and understanding. I’ve learned so much during my term, and I am still learning. What makes it worth it is the team that I have, the DJs that keep us running 24/7 (even during this REALLY weird time), and every single listener. I could not thank everyone (and I mean everyone) enough because my job would be a whole lot harder without you all. It also makes it a lot more fun, because everyone never fails to make me laugh and make me proud. One of the highlights during my GM experience was the pilot of SLIMESTONE, which was an event that showcased our local businesses that are on S. Limestone (hehe, we are clever) with performances from Ivy Rye and Jockey Onassis. Another highlight was our 32nd Birthday Bash, which I mentioned previously in this questionnaire. We had some stellar bands: Sour Cream, Sea Moya, and Dumbo Gets Mad. All of them KILLED it! Also, right now is definitely a highlight; we are currently still operating even though COVID-19 has cancelled several types of operations for now. We are currently experiencing a different way of life, and we’re working extremely hard to make sure you don’t lose anything from WRFL during the process. WRFL’s mission and purpose resonates now more than ever.
Will Weapons of Choice ever make a comeback?
I hope that I will get to be on the Fall 2020 schedule for my last semester of college. That would be a pretty badass way to end it.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
“Find some time to do something!” -Tyler, The Creator
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