Interview with:
Amany Khreis
Thrill Jockey
Tell us a bit about the career path that led to where you are now.
I went into college not exactly sure about what I would be studying. After joining WSUM and my university’s music magazine, I knew that I wanted to pursue music. Being music director at WSUM opened me up to an unprecedented amount of opportunities and allowed me to connect with so many wonderful people. From there, I interned at Terrorbird Media and Big Hassle. I’m the radio and tour promoter at Thrill Jockey now, where I also work across the publicity and marketing departments!
What is your favorite experience you’ve had in your career? Perhaps a musical idol you got to meet or work with? A project you were involved with promoting?
This is a tough one! The first that comes to mind is when I interviewed Perfume Genius for my music podcast at the time, following a misunderstanding we had over Nick Jonas’s “Jealous.” Our brief Twitter feud turned into a healing conversation about Alicia Keys, chihuahuas, and gay Supernatural fanfiction. Photo pit for Weyes Blood at Pitchfork Music Festival was surreal. Working with Escho, Red Hot Organization, The Softies, etc. was a treat during my time at Terrorbird. Most recently, I’ve been honored to be a part of the album release cycles for Nobukazu Takemura, claire rousay, and Sam Prekop!
What aspect of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
My favorite part of my job is when I get to meet new people! I love connecting with others over our shared tastes in music. Sustaining those relationships and building new ones has always been the most exciting part of radio and the industry for me.
What band/artist or style of music outside the realm of your college/community radio promotion would people be most intrigued to hear you love?
I have a lot of DJ friends that have put me on to juke, techno, house, etc. I grew up listening to traditional Arabic music and love Fairuz or anything that has a 20-40 minute long oud solo.
What job do you think you would have if you weren’t in this industry?
I always think about this and can’t envision myself anywhere outside of music or radio. Maybe I would be doing some kind of work that allows me to live on a tiny farm by the ocean somewhere in Oregon or Northern California.
The holidays are here! Are you someone that loves this time of year? And if so, what do you love most about it? Do you have a favorite childhood memory associated with the holidays? If you hate it, why are you so soulless? Just kidding… sort of. But really, why don’t you like it if that’s the case?
I do love this time of year even though it does get pretty cold in the Midwest. I’m excited to find time to go apple picking, do Halloween things, eat some turkey, make lots of soup, and spend time with the people I love! There’s also something about watching snow pile up and needing to wear multiple layers to go outside that makes you choose to spend your time with a lot more intention. Always lots of nostalgia throughout November and December…
You just won 10 million dollars. What are you going to do with it?
I’d probably buy my mom a nice house, set aside a small amount to go in my savings, and give the rest away to the people of Gaza.
Entertainment Time: What is/are your current favorite TV obsession(s)? What’s a great movie (new or old) you’ve watched recently? What is your current favorite album?
I’m currently rewatching Gilmore Girls in an effort to sustain a long distance friendship. I haven’t been watching as many movies as I usually do, but I’m looking forward to my inevitable seasonal rewatch of When Harry Met Sally and The Holdovers. My current favorite album might just be Ninajirachi’s I Love My Computer. I’ve also been enjoying the new albums from snuggle, Joanne Robertson, Lily Allen, Turnstile, M. Sage, and Wombo.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in town you love to go to and would recommend?
I’m still fairly new to Chicago, so I haven’t yet decided on one solid, favorite restaurant. I do frequent Cafe Jumping Bean and Falafel & Grill, though.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What five well known people (dead or alive) would you like to have there with you?
I think I would prefer to have my loved ones or wilderness experts there with me, but I wouldn’t mind also having Patti Smith or Sufjan Stevens for company.
