Host: Sonic Stew (“B Week” Every other Monday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. PST)
On Freeform Portland Since: 2025
Hole McJail deleted his Meta accounts in 2025, but operates his blog here.
Tell me about the role that music plays in your life and why it’s important to you.
That’s a deep question. I really think that music is one of the things that defines humanity and what makes people special and unique. We’re the only species on the planet that makes music, rhythms, syncopation, and coordinates in an ensemble. Music is a really unique aspect of humanity. It can express so much emotion and feeling, and you can convey so many dimensions through song that transcend all kinds of language, cultural, and personal experiences. It’s just such a special, magical thing that I like to learn about. And honestly? It’s always running through my head.
How did you discover Freeform Portland, and why did you decide to come volunteer with us?
A friend of mine is a substitute DJ, and he brought me on as a guest one day while he was subbing for a friend of his (shout out to DJ Pauly Glott). We were filling in on March 28th, 2025. I had never heard of a community run, non-commercial, volunteer radio station before–what a uniquely, perfectly Portland thing. I never expected to be asked, “hey, do you want to be on the radio with me tonight?” Of course I would say yes. Who would turn that down?
It blew my mind learning about what the station is and what it represents, how it’s run and the opportunities that come with it. I applied to be a volunteer a couple of times first, thinking I’d get my foot in the door and maybe one day apply to host a radio show. I didn’t realize that you apply for a show and that volunteering for the station is just part of doing that. So as soon as I applied for a show, I was accepted. I was being so humble and demure about the whole thing, but they were ready to bring me on.
Tell me a little bit about your show.
My first show was April 6th. There was a lot of anticipation leading up to it. I was very detail-oriented and had a lot of fun preparing the show. The idea is just an international mix of (I like to say) sick beats. I have a particular ear. I can skim a song and know pretty quickly if I like it, and I can get into a groove really fast if a song clicks for me.
For the last 20 or so years, I’ve intentionally gone away from popular top 40 American mainstream music. Looking back now, it’s nostalgic, but at the time, mainstream felt so bland and cookie cutter and commercial. I just didn’t identify with any of it.
So I said to myself, “there have to be amazing, crazy dance beats in other languages that I’ve never heard…”
I started off as a weeaboo, honestly. I got really into Japanese rock when I was about 20. Best times of my life, following those bands up and down the West Coast with my friends. But now we’ve got bills and responsibilities… you know.
Can you tell me three songs you’re digging right now?
I’m really into Young Miko right now. She’s a Puerto Rican artist and she has a song called “Riri.” I love it because in the middle of the song, the drum line from “Teach Me How to Dougie” comes in. I’m such a sucker for that kind of thing, and she’s a really good rapper. I love her so much.
There’s also a song called “Wall of Sleep,” by Daniel Avery (the Harvey McKay remix).
And then Bad Bunny. My favorite song of his right now is “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR.” I change the lyrics when I do karaoke though. I sing that I’m going to take you to Vancouver.
