Interview with Blogger Tarik J. Moody

By The Pakistani Spectator • Apr 25th, 2008 • Category: Interviews • (2,984 views) • No Responses

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?
Well my name is Tarik Moody and I am a DJ and Digital Manager for a new radio station called 88Nine RadioMilwaukee here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We have our normal website which is www.radiomilwaukee.org and we just launched our station blog called Soundboard(radiomilwaukee.wordpress.com). The blog is an extension of our regular website. The purpose of the blog is to be the online voice of everyone who works at the station where we share our opinions on music, politics, etc. It is also to spread the word of the radio station and what the city of Milwaukee has to offer. We also act as a music blog showcasing new music from Milwaukee and around the world.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?
The funny thing is that I never considered writing my forte; however, when I started blogging for my radio show called The Rhythm Lab(www.rhythmlabonline.com) over a year ago I became hooked. I now enjoy writing which I never I thought I would. I definitely feel that I am growing as a writer the more I write. My thought process is becoming more organize as well. It is important to me because I can share my ideas with the world and I get responses that help me refined my ideas. Also it helps relieve stress if you can believe that.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?
I wrote an article on a new artist by the name of Wale out of Washington DC and how he is reshaping the music industry. I was so impressed on how he was marketing his music without a major record label. I decided to write a post on how the music industry can learn from an unsigned artist. Then with in a few days, I received a quite a bit of comments including a comment from Wale’s manager. His manager posted my blog on his MySpace page. Now Wale has a major label deal with Interscope and his record is being produced by Mark Ronson who is Grammy winning producer who also produced Amy Winehouse’s album.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?
I primarily use Google reader to keep up with my communication with other bloggers.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

I really like what maplight.org does. It connects voting records with campaign contributions. You can track it bill, congressman or even lobbyists. Also opencongress.org is another great site to help bring transparency to congress.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

I would hope so, but I would think the average American wouldn’t want to spend time on sites like these to find out what their congressman is really doing, they would rather listen to a political pundit, or watch a debate.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

I think we are probably the only radio station in the country that has a blog covering diverse subject matters. The whole station staff is involved in this blog and we cover everything from music to politics to sports to technology. We also use airwaves to heavily promote and ask for interaction with our listeners.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Willingness to try new things

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

The happiest moment in my life is finding a job that fits my passions. I really don’t have a gloomiest moment. I have had bad days. I have been pretty fortunate.

Do you think [the use of Twitter and other social networking tools by politicians] is bandwagon jumping or what?

Yes I do think it is bandwagon jumping, but it is possible to use tool to their benefit without seeming like bandwagon jumping.

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s
paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?
Iceland
Japan
Ghana

What is your favorite book and why?

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby because it I feel like the main character could be me.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Eyes.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you you couldn’t write?

No

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Creating original content that can be translated to other media(books, records, dvds, t-shirts, etc.) that they could sell.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?
Not necessarily. It depends on your focus. It is all about content.

What are your thoughts on corporate blogs and what do you think the biggest advantages and disadvantages are?

A corporate blog can be a great tool to connect with customers and potential customers. One big disadvantage is that the blog can come off as impersonal especially if they do not allow comments.

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world more friendlier and less hostile?

Bring a different perspective to the world than what traditional media delivers. Bloggers can give personal accounts of events that can humanize a story unlike the news media which can lead to better understanding of situation with jumping to conclusions.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

Illdoctrine.com(video blogger),

mashable.com,

mediamatter.org,

weblog.liberatormagazine.com,

thefader.com

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

The post I did on a rapper Wale and how the music industry can learn from him.

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

They have the same hopes and dreams like the rest of world. I judge an individual person’s action and not where they are from.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

Yes. The blog stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com was a complete surprise to me, and is still is. It is a study of stereotypes with a sense of humor.

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

What they value and their priorities.

What is the future of blogging?

I think that video blogging will continue to grow and become just as big as ‘traditional blogging’. Also certain blogs will grow in to business such as some music blogs becoming record labels.

You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?
What are your future plans?

I am planning to redesign and launch my radio show blog into a online magazine and podcast. I am also getting involved in doing video for the internet for our Radio Station.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

Always keep an open mind and take time to understand each other.