Taryn Olsen is KCRW’s April Volunteer of the Month!

Where did you grow up and are you an only child?

I am indeed an only child and I grew up in Panama City, Florida.

What is your current occupation?

I’m currently doing whatever I can to help around the station and I’ve been known to do a little personal training on the side.

What is your fantasy occupation?

This is so tough…I think I’d like to be a blogger or writer of some sort. If I could do nothing but talk to the people I admire all day and write about it I’d be a very happy person!

When did you first discover KCRW?

I discovered KCRW because my first boss here in LA had an enormous aural crush on Nic Harcourt. 🙂 We saw him out at a Mason Jennings show and she freaked. I decided to give the station a listen since I figured he must have been doing something to make her swoon.

How did you find your way to our station for volunteering?

I answered a call for volunteers at KCRW’s first Masquerade at Park Plaza. I was a front of house check-in volunteer that night.

What’s your current volunteer position and how long have you been at it?

I bounce around but you can find me at the front desk on Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as Tuesday afternoons with EJL in the music library.

Favorite volunteer moment?

Getting to see Janelle Monae at Apogee’s Berkeley Street Studios with a small group of special peeps. She gave such an amazing show and a super thoughtful interview.

If you could get on the mic and say one sentence on the air, what would it be?

I’m Rick James *@&$*!!

What song have you hit repeat on lately?

I’ve been going back to listen to Florence + The Machine’s Lungs Album a lot lately. But I also can’t get enough of James Blake, Toro Y Moi, Cassius, The Morning Benders, Tristen, or The Tallest Man on Earth.

Favorite book, movie?

Favorite Book is One Hundred Years of Solitude for sure. If I had to pick a favorite movie it would probably be Amelie. 🙂

Favorite thing to do outside the station (hobbies, recreation, etc.)?

I recently ran the LA marathon and am generally a super active person with a love for the outdoors – yay for hiking and surfing! 🙂 I’m also a wannabe foodie – I love yummy food and wine.

What does KCRW mean to you?

Connie said it once that what she loves about the station is that a lot of the time we hook people in with our great music and they end up staying for the news and thus become more informed citizens. I love that we contribute to our community in this way.

What does Taryn mean to us? OMG, yes, OMG — what doesn’t she mean (just check out her kick-ass photo)? Many of us could not function as well without her…so we won’t! Thanks Taryn.