WMEB Spot: “Global Madness” with Rachel Hirsch

By Kegan Zema

Posted on Nov. 20, 2008, at 12:00 a.m.

Rachel Hirsch, a fourth-year women’s studies and zoology student, hosts the weekly radio show “Global Madness,” Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m.

MC: When did you first start doing your show, and how did you get involved with WMEB?

Hirsch: I have been doing my show since last spring. I wanted to get involved because I felt like Maine needed more global flavor.

MC: What countries or cultures do you focus your show on?

Hirsch: It’s pretty much all over the place. I mean, I have a lot of Middle Eastern music, I have Indian music, Irish, Finnish, . But I also have different genres from different places, like Nightwish. They are from Finland, but they sing in English, and they’re a very popular metal group. And there are other bands I play that are relatively well-known as well, just to accommodate everybody.

MC: How did you first become interested in listening to music from other cultures?

Hirsch: I was [never] into the ordinary or what most people listen to. I’m from Chicago, so I grew up respecting world cultures, and it just stayed with me.

MC: How do you go about acquiring the music for your show?

Hirsch: A lot of it is my own collection, but I’ve had a few friends in the past that I’ve gotten music from, and I’ve always kept it.

MC: How long have you been listening to what you would qualify as global music?

Hirsch: Since . [pauses, deep in thought] my freshman year of high school.

MC: How do you believe culture and music are tied, and how is that portrayed on your show?

Hirsch: Every culture has stereotypes, so I try to get a variety. Some music breaks stereotypes of certain cultures, and I think since a lot of people have an interest in music – everybody has an interest in music – if they like something, perhaps they can go research more about that specific culture. Also, songs provide stories. Music is something to start with. Music can’t cover every stereotype of cultures; it can’t completely do everything. It’s entertainment; it’s something that can start something for people. I just hope [my show] helps open people’s eyes and minds to different cultures.

MC: Do you ever focus on traditional or folk songs from certain areas, or is it mostly just the popular, modern music?

Hirsch: I do a combination of both. I’ve played some traditional Indian music, as well as Bollywood modern music.

MC: Why would someone want to listen to your show, apart from it’s cultural aspect?

Hirsch: I play various genres. I play some hip-hop, R&B. One [artist], her name is Mala Rodriguez; she’s from Spain. She’s becoming very popular over here, and she’s very popular in Spain and Latin America.

MC: Have you ever traveled to any of the countries you play music from?

Hirsch: I have not done any traveling . yet [laughs].

“Global Madness,” part of the complete WMEB lineup, can be heard on 91.9 FM, online at wmeb.fm and on channel 20 of campus television.

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