Sophie Miles

Photo by Pete Baxter

How did you first connect with Triple R?

As a school kid listening to Triple R opened up new worlds to me. I started volunteering at 3CR, helping to read and write the news, and doing graveyard shifts, then I got a regular show on PBS when I was still a teenager. When I started to get to know people who did community radio, I knew I’d found my people. As a young person it was really inspiring to be around people who were voracious and inquisitive about music. Mick Geyer from PBS told me that when you do a radio show, you're learning about music in public. I still think about that all the time. I can’t remember when I first filled in at Triple R! I’ve been a filler-inner-er for a long time, maybe 10 years? It’s always a huge privilege to fill in on someone else’s show.

What/when was your first show?

I think it was filling in for Denise on Twang. I used to do an alt country show on PBS and I’d always looked up to Denise (still do!), so I was super nervous. I remember getting some very kindhearted phone calls from listeners. Triple R listeners are always so warm and encouraging. If you’re reading this and you’ve never phoned in your appreciation, I urge you to do it sometime… it really makes the announcer’s day!

What's your favourite Triple R story?

A recent one comes to mind. Hearing the sponsorship announcement with Kamahl declaring himself to be a worm lover was a highlight of lockdown. i'm so intrigued by Kamahl being an ambassador for worms. That’s a story I would like to know more about.

What's your favourite other Triple R program and why?

It’s a close contest between Astral Glamour and Beat Orgy. Two programs that I never miss and that always make me feel happy. As an announcer, I aspire towards a vibe that’s some mystical hybrid of Joe Brnadic and Steve Cross; they both have such generosity and warmth, they put a lot of heart into every show. I appreciate that so much as a listener. They expand my world every week.

What does Triple R mean to you?

I guess what I’m alluding to in my answers above is that "community radio spirit” that has been a guiding influence in my whole life. The generosity and curiosity about music that announcers share with the audience. It’s so special to me.

The studio door has accidentally shut with you stuck inside. If there was only one CD in there with you what would you want it to be and why?

I remember a wild story from Wanganui, New Zealand about a young guy who held a community radio station hostage and demanded that they broadcast The Rainbow Connection by Kermit for 12 hours. And the weird thing is that a Montreal morning radio guy, Ralph “Birdman” Lockwood, once played Rainbow Connection over and over, claiming he’d locked himself in the studio. So I think that’s the right song for that scenario. I love the idea of those guys sending that song out over and over… keep it on repeat until we find the rainbow connection… "someday we’ll find it!"