Jedd Beaudoin’s FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions posed to Jedd about himself and his show, Strange Currency.

How long has Strange Currency been on the air?

The show began in late 2007 as part of our 24-hour music service, KMUW HD2 (which is on indefinite hiatus). The show began airing on Saturday nights from 8 to 10 on the FM dial in early 2009 and moved to six-nights-a-week in July 2010.

How do you select the music we hear on the show?

I go about selecting the music in a variety of ways but all the music you hear is handpicked by me. I try to strike a balance between new releases and music you may not have heard before and/or music that’s fallen under the radar for one reason or another. Additionally, I try to play local and regional music as frequently as possible.

How do I get my music on your show?

You can mail a copy of your CD to KMUW (see our contact page). Submission does not guarantee airplay and follow-up emails never hurt.

What is Currency Exchange?

Several times a year we invite local and regional musicians to stop the KMUW studios for a performance and interview.

How did you land a job in radio?

Like so many things in my professional career, I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Having worked as a music journalist for eight years, I found myself at a crossroads with that career in 2007. I wanted to keep going but print outlets were vanishing with alarming rate. One day, the phone rang and I was asked if I’d consider hosting a show on KMUW. I gladly said yes. I don’t find much time to write about music these days but when the opportunity presents itself, I gladly take it.

Who are some of your favorite musical artists?

The list, as you might imagine is pretty extensive and the list that follows is only a beginning: Frank Zappa, Mike Keneally, Chris Opperman, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, NRBQ, Hank Williams, Los Lobos, John Hiatt, Flaming Lips, XTC, The Replacements, Mississippi John Hurt, Peter Case, Bob Dylan, Gentle Giant, Loudon Wainwright III, The XX, MGMT, Bryan Beller, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, Bob Mould, Regina Spektor, and Daniel Johnston.

What do you listen to in your spare time?

Pretty much the same music I play on the show although I always keep my ears open to new music.

Are you a musician?

I own a guitar.

What’s your all-time favorite song?

“Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers Band. It has a variety of influences, from jazz to rock and blues, to touches of classical and a lyric that is timeless.

How many songs do you have on your iPod?

I don’t own one. I’m a big fan of the physical world. Having music on an electronic device such as an iPod seems to make it more disposable and insignificant, two things music should never be.

I have a question that you haven’t answered here. What do I do?

Email me:

What does the name Strange Currency mean?

I liked the idea of music as Currency. That’s what it’s always been to me. I can’t tell you how many friendships I’ve had that started over common musical tastes. There have been many times when music has allowed me passage to places I never thought I’d go; in its way it has been as good if not better to me than money. I also liked the idea of “strange,” not necessarily meaning something negative but something that was unfamiliar, out of the ordinary.

Do you podcast?

We cannot at this time offer a podcast of the show.

What CD would listeners be most surprised to discover that you have in your collection?

Swing When You’re Winning by Robbie Williams. At least that’s the one that surprises me most often. He does a pretty cool duet with Nicole Kidman on “Something Stupid.” It was also one of the last music videos I paid really close attention to.