Kirsten James

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!

There's only one explanation for London Drugs continuing these hybrid lawn ornaments ... 

Some relaxing affirmations and manifestations for you to listen to ahead of Spring Break

Rich people, are you OK?

Wesley and Kirsten talk about The Lumineers new album "Automatic", their recording sessions inspired by The Beatles "Get Back", technology addiction, and how Bluey really is the perfect TV show.

The new season of The White Lotus is almost here, and you can’t have a tv show in 2025 without a brand collaborations.

I talk with Boy Golden about the upcoming shows at BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival, ceiling bra fires, and the brand new vinyl debuting in Victoria this weekend.

Tom DeLonge has been all-in on UFOs and aliens for a long while now. And look, a lot of people thought he had gone off the deepened, including myself. So DeLonge has taken the opportunity to do a little bit of gloating when yesterday, former Air Force intelligence officer Major David Grusch testified in Congress UNDER OATH and said that the government was concealing a “multi-decade” program that tracks and captures “unidentified aerial phenomena.” 

Reality continues to unfold in parody of itself, so yeah, why not have Zuck and Musk duke it out in a cage fight?

It only took 16 ducking years to fix.

Big city vibes, big city crimes! A theft of a $600 wheel of GOUDA!

Ahead of their almost sold out show at Capital Ballroom Saturday, April 29.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now so huge and permanent that a coastal ecosystem is thriving on it.

Koji Kondo's Super Mario Bros. theme is one of 25 recordings being added to the registry.

With winners in the Morning and Afternoon Zone show is it finally time for the Midday Zone to get a winner?!?