The lovely and talented DJ Kim Sorise, who not only happens to be cousin but could also be my doppelganger, currently resides in Louisville, KY. She grew up in Metro Detroit where she molded her musical taste and knowledge. A former WDET reporter, Kim teaches America’s youth by day but you will still catch her DJing out at a Derby City Roller Girls match or a wedding on any given night. You can also check out her weekly radio show SoundHouse on Viva-Radio.com every Thursday. Kim is also an animal lover and is the proud mama to two cute beagles named Benny age 12 and Freddie age 2! Both are rescue dogs and are absolutely adorable!

She was nice enough to answer a few questions for us recently. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I had conducting it!

Eliza: What were your musical influences growing up in Metro Detroit? (Yes, generic question) What music was played in your house?

Kim: My biggest early musical influences were my parents. Mom was a huge fan of folk and Black Sabbath; Dad loved Dr. John, jazz, and Frank Zappa.  However, around the age of 11 or 12, I found the Electrifying Mojo. I quickly became a member of the Midnight Funk Association, stayed up way too late dancing on my back and hanging on every word and record he played. To this day, Mojo (Charles Johnson) is my broadcast hero.

Eliza: Being a DJ is mostly a male-dominated industry. What brought you into that realm?

Kim: I started DJing in an effort to support my record buying habit. At 16, I sold some 500 cassette tapes and started buying jazz LPs; this is where it all started. In my mid 20s, I was working at WDET as a news producer and production engineer, and I talked them into letting me become a substitute music host. DJing all kind of steam-rolled thereafter. Most professions have been male-dominated at some time – it has never bothered me.

Eliza: Great answer! How many records do you think you own?

Kim: I think maybe 4500 LPs and around 750 45s. It’s not a huge collection, but it does me just fine.

Eliza: When did you move to Louisville?

Kim: I moved to Louisville on Dec. 18, 2000 in the middle of a blizzard. I got a job at Louisville’s public radio stations to work as a feature reporter and the NPR liaison, as well as music host; I also began a youth radio project for high school kids which contributed to a career change 5 years later. I’ve been in the classroom ever since. But as far as DJing in public – in Louisville is where it took off for me, primarily because I had radio shows to back it up. But even as a teacher, I still manage multiple gigs a month and many more during the summer months.

Eliza: Favorite places to record shop here in Detroit?

Kim: My favorite place to shop for records in Detroit or really anywhere is People’s. I have known Brad (Hales) for years even when he worked for Encore in Ann Arbor and Desirable Discs in Dearborn. I was thrilled for him when he opened the shop. He is truly one of the city’s finest musical archivists. When in town, I also try to make stops at Car City; Record Graveyard; Stormy and Hello.

Eliza: Top 5 things you really miss about Detroit?

Kim: Five things I really miss about Detroit (way more than 5)

1. My friends and family, 2. Lafayette Coney Island at 2:30am, 3. The Detroiter at Buddy’s Pizza, 4. Better Maids, 5. Driving around the city late at night after a fresh snowfall listening to 580 Memories; there is really nothing more beautiful and soulful.

Eliza: Music sitting in your CD player or iPod playlist right this very second and why?

Kim: I was just putting together a new music playlist for my show Soundhouse on Viva-radio.com; it’s all about food to celebrate my newly renovated kitchen. So the first thing on my playlist is “Food for My Soul” by The Dragons, which features a young Daryl Dragon, one third of the Dragon-brother trio, who went on to become the “Captain” from Captain and Tenille.

 Eliza: Did you have pets growing up?

Kim: I did have pets growing up. I had two dogs in my youth, the first was Suzie in the Sky with Diamonds (at 2, this is what I thought the song was called) – she was a collie. The second was a mutt named Shadoobie (after the Rolling Stones song “Shattered”). She was affectionately referred to as either “Doobie” or “The Doob,” both of which cause problems at school when I was talk about the dog.

I have two dogs now, Benito Boogaloo Boogieshoe, Benny for short, is a rescue from the Humane Society in Louisville. I have had him for almost 11years; he’s my best buddy. Freddie named in honor of all the wonderful musical Freddie’s like Hubbard and Mercury. He, too, is a rescue and he is about 3.5; we’ve had him a little over 2 years.

Both of them are characters, Benny has always been a dancer, but now he’s starting to slow down and snores more than he boogies. Fred actually has some serious cat-like mannerisms and instincts. Neither really do any tricks, but they both are the world’s best snugglers. My life would not be complete without these dogs!

Eliza: Here in Detroit, there is a huge animal overpopulation problem that the city struggles to deal with. What is the animal welfare situation down in Louisville?

Kim: Yes – we do have animal overpopulation issues in Louisville, but Louisville is a very dog-friendly city. You can take your dogs in stores and to sidewalk cafes.

We have a couple very active No Kill groups that have made an impact and have forced the issue for some of the large animal shelter to change their policies. They all so rescue and foster out animals that are slated for euthanasia. Interestingly enough, both of my dogs were rescued following hunting season. It seems that after rabbit or various other hunting seasons in Kentucky, if a beagle (or hunting dog) doesn’t cut it in the field he is often let go to fend for himself or dropped at a shelter. Both of my dogs were in this predicament; Benny was wandering several counties over and Fred was a drop off; both were with days of being put down. We have a huge over population of beagle and beagle mix dogs at our shelters.

Eliza: What can we expect from your DJ set on August 6^that the Whitney?

Kim: For my set on August 6, folks can expect some serious groovers and a lot of music that will celebrate the city of Detroit. I may even throw in some field recordings of my beagles for good measure – after all it is an animal party!

We can’t wait to see Kim on Saturday August 6^th at the Whitney!

-Eliza Sorise-Sawyers