Kirsten James

Begonia stops by ahead of her show at Capital Ballroom to talk about the "Worm" dress code, the Fantasy Life Tour, her favourite video games AND a live performance of "Hotter Than the Sun"

Unbelievable, Julian and his Dad, Mark, cracked the case and solved The Secret!!! They will collect the $5,000 signing bonus and become a part of the F.A.R.T as G.I. Snagglepuss steps down. 

The Zolas pop by ahead of their show at Capital Ballroom. We talk about what they've been up to the last 5 years, the future of the band, and what "Swooner" would sound like if it were written today. 

Kirsten chats with Bealby Point an up and coming band from Vancouver with their debut LP coming out in October. They stick around for a live performance of Happiness Frontier the title track of the new album. They also brought snacks and treats which obviously sets a pretty high bar for future appearances. 

Kirsten talks with Scott from Brewery & the Beast about the big event going down at Starlight Stadium this Sunday. VERY limited tickets left, grab them here: www.breweryandthebeast.com

Ruby performs her new song Get a Grip and Sour Patch!

The one and only Ruby Waters stops by to talk to Kirsten about eating burgers she found on stage, how much she loves Victoria, and her brand new song Get a Grip!  ALSO, a live acoustic performance of Get a Grip and Sour Patch.

The July Band of the Miss the Heart join Kirsten to chat about what it's like as a duo, the different kind of narcissistic people in life, Michael's specific beef with a traffic warden, and a live performance of "Know Me Better" !

Jason from The Darcys joins Kirsten to chat about the band's groovier new music, why Victoria has become his "secret" second home, and the wild string of weather disasters that seems to follow the band everywhere. From tornado warnings and wildfire smoke to playing through hurricane-force winds! They also reminisce about producing a record for comedian Mae Martin after meeting at summer camp as kids, plus Jason shares why gravel biking is somehow the sketchiest sport of them all. Get your tickets to the show at Capital Ballroom Nov 20 here  ...weather permitting of course.

Kirsten talks with Yvonne Ejim, forward for the Canadian Women's National Basketball team ahead of their game against defending NCAA champions UCLA tonight at Save-on-Foods Memorial Center.

Adassa, the voice of Dolores Madrigal from Encanto will be at Island Fan Con in Langford this weekend! We talk about what it was like to work with Lin-Manuel Miranda, her incredible story of how she became paralysis from the neck down the day after her audition but persevered booked the role AND recovered, and how much she still loves to sing "We Don't Talk About Bruno" with the fans!

The May Band of the Month TK the Artist joins Kirsten to chat about his amazing energy,  why he may have Nick Jonas to thank for one of his unique skills, and a live acoustic performance of "Exercise" !

Hmmm, if only there were a specific word we could use to describe this job? 

April Zone Band of the Month Blush. joins Kirsten in the studio to talk about their new EP "In the Grey", the unconventional way they formed, and to play a rousing game of "Wrong Answers Only!" inspired by their single.   PLUS a live stripped down performance of "Wrong Answers Only!"

For WAY more than anticipated. 

A live performance of Dear Sally by Idle Lane

The Zone Band of the Month for March stop by to chat with Kirsten James about the 90s, what it was like playing Laketown Rock with Nickelback, and what's next for them. 

Interview with François from Young the Giant! He joins Kirsten to talk about the band’s upcoming album Victory Garden, the single “Different Kind of Love,” and their return to Vancouver this July. François also shares how becoming a father shaped the themes of the new record and why the band leaned back into a more classic alternative rock sound. We also get into his Canadian background, debate the controversial topic of shredded cheese on poutine (criminal!), and wonder whether California will ever join British Columbia in getting rid of the time change.

Gay Nineties stop by Zone Control ahead of their tour opening up for July Talk. We talk about what they've been up to the last 10 years, their legendary show at the Copper Owl at Rifflandia, and their new music!

I chat with cast members Sydney and River ahead of their opening night of the Belmont Secondary Musical. 

Hannah, Nicco, Jacob, Ruby from Vic High stop by to talk about this years production -- Hadestown!

Our very first Band of the Month for 2026 joins Kirsten in studio to talk about writing jiggles, the amazing cat keyboard 'meow-sic', and what's next for the band. 

For Year of the Zoner we wanted to bring back a Zoner favourite feature. That's why, the final Friday of every month in 2026, DJ Geekout will be back with The Mixtape!! Two 20-minute sets of your favourite Zone songs, with some geek-tunes, and electro-swing mixed in for good measure. 

I’m officially getting naked and jumping off a 150-foot bridge for charity. This year I’m taking part in Naked Bungy at WildPlay Nanaimo to raise awareness and funds for Mental Health Recovery Partners, South Island (MHRP-SI), a local non-profit that provides free mental health and substance-use support across the South Island, not just for those struggling, but for the families and friends who support them too. Mental health support matters to me personally. After my kids, I was diagnosed with postpartum mood disorders, and talking openly with friends who’d been open with their mental health helped me get diagnosed and eventually medicated. (Because if you can’t make your own serotonin… store-bought is just fine.)And if stripping down and leaping off a bridge helps crack stigma, spark conversation, or help someone feel less alone? I’m all in.  Bonus: every donation is being MATCHED, so truly, anything you give goes twice as far. If you can, please consider donating, every dollar makes a real difference. Thank you in advance to everyone who gives you’re helping make mental health support free, accessible, and stigma-free for our community.  Donate here (and double your impact):https://www.canadahelps.org/me/6Sfg6egu

Where he will return to his first instrument ... the trumpet! 

TIL: When the Schitt’s Creek team said Alexis should perform a reality-star throwback song, Annie Murphy was all in. Never written a song? No problem she channeled her inner Alexis irl: “loads of talent, zero singing skills, and the confidence of a thousand humans.” Then called in reinforcements...her husband Menno Versteeg from Hollerado and his bandmate Nixon Boyd—to make it happen!

Musician, songwriter, actor and ZONER Bluejay Friese visits Kirsten in studio to talk about Victoria, his career, and never letting go of the experiences that shape us. Also a live performance of his new song "MoneyMart"

Another shoe has washed up in Washington state, but this time it seems to have been worn by a bear!

Charlie and Mike from Hotel Mira stop by before their show at Capital Ballroom to talk about their epic tour, pre-show rituals, and how it feels to be back in Victoria.

Jimmy and Jon from the Strumbellas pop-in to talk to Kirsten ahead of their show at The Royal and do a live performance of “Come Back Around” and “Spirits”.

A group of cold-dippers were caught off-guard early Monday morning when they had an unsuspecting sea lion encounter at Esquimalt Lagoon. 

Kirsten and Jason hold down the fort while Pol and Jenny are away and talk to Bluejay Friese about growing up in Victoria being a Zoner, his single Jack + Sally, and a new album on the way!

Our final Zone Band of the Month for August is Dysaynia!

Well, he did it. In front of 15,000 people Neville completed his Chasing Chad adventure and sang "Rockstar" with Nickelback at the Laketown Amphitheater this past weekend at the biggest music festival Vancouver Island has ever seen. 

Kevvy from Fake Shark stopped by to UNrecommend specific hotdogs in New York, recommend hotdogs in tower-form from Phillips, ask you to please be his friend if you're a ventriloquist, and also talk about the new single "Monster" !

Ozzy definitely left his 'mark' on the Alamo

The TSA has updated their policy so that we can all leave our shoes on at US airports!

Jodi & Damien of Cold Fame stopped by The Zone tent ahead of their performance at Phillips Tilt! We talked about the Sax solo at the end of "Jawbreaker", speed limits, and a brand new song.

Alcoves tell us the origin story of Liz (Laz!), what it’s like making music across provinces, and a special acoustic performance of their single Call Liz.

So Coffee Mate teamed up with The White Lotus to drop a limited-edition piña colada creamer—which sounds pretty fun and tropical, right?

Danielle and Drew visit ahead of their show at the Capital Ballroom.

Boaty McBoatface is still tooting around!