Take a Break from the Mainstream with DJ Candace

DJ Candace Boris of 91.7 WPCR, a senior computer science major, has a passion for a wide range of musical genres, spanning from 60s/70s Psychedelic Rock to EDM/Electronic music, which she has been entertaining her ears with most recently.

One of the perks of working at WPCR is that she doesn’t have to pander to what is popular on the charts right now. “I honestly just play whatever I like,” said Boris. Armed with Spotify and iTunes, she makes her two hours count.

Boris tends to rely on the use of iTunes in case of internet outages, and her library holds a plethora of playlists from different days or moods. “Whatever I’m feeling on a particular day is what I’m going to play,” Boris said. She usually makes a playlist for each show.

Preparing for shows and going on the air were not always easy for Boris. In fact, she had to push herself a great deal to become a DJ and conquer her stage fright. She joined WPCR last spring to follow through on her New Year’s resolution.

In between songs, it’s all about the music. She will often add information or trivia about a song or artist in between tracks. She is also toying with the idea of adding more in the future. Boris said she still in the process of developing a radio presence.

Her interest in music, which inspired her to dig deeper, started on a family trip. She was driving through Michigan around the age of 15 or 16. After landing on a station that she enjoyed, the Radiohead track “Fake Plastic Trees” captivated Boris’ teenage ears.

Upon returning home from vacation, she dove into the world of Radiohead and their catalog. “It resonated with me where no song had before,” Boris said.

Today, when looking for fresh tunes, Boris pokes around Spotify and YouTube. One of Boris’ major goals is to expose people to obscure songs that listeners may not otherwise hear. You won’t hear the Top 40 on her show. “If you want to hear that, there are dozens of radio stations that will you give you that sort of stuff,” Boris said.

Boris spoke positively about her WPCR family and her privilege to do what she loves there. “It’s a diverse group of people [with] different musical tastes and different backgrounds,” said Boris, “but we’re all united with that love of music and that desire to share our enthusiasm with the world, or at least Plymouth.”

Listen to the DJ Candace Show on Friday nights from 5-7 p.m. on 91.7 WPCR. 

CLOCK PHOTO / LINDSEY DEROCHE