Listen to the interview!

It’s a big job keeping track of ever-changing pop culture. Somebody has to do it though. That is where Anchorage Daily News entertainment reporter Josh Niva comes in. Many think he has his finger on the pulse of youth culture. Niva recently visited the ATMI studio and spoke with reporter Amanda Krysinski.

Amanda: Let’s kick off with this question, what is your coolest reporting experience?
Josh: I don’t know if I have a coolest. I have a lot of really cool experiences, ranging from interviewing really famous artists like BB king, down to, or including, just hanging out with really interesting and creative people, anything from local artists, teenagers to adults who have been performing, writing or making films for years. So, I have a lot of cool experiences. I don’t know if I have a number one coolest experience at this point though.

Amanda: So, what kind of things do you enjoy reporting on the most then?
Josh: I think I enjoy music the most, music reporting. But I am lucky enough to have a beat with youth and pop culture, where I am always around creative people. And that is fun regardless of whether it’s music or anything else.

Amanda: What is your draw toward these creative people?
Josh: Well, they make interesting stories, first of all. They are always doing things a little different than everyone else and its fun to kind of be a part of that. Not necessarily a part of it, but to be around the creative process watching them do what they do, do what they are good at it and it kind of inspires you as a artist or a creative person as well.

Amanda: So, you report on young people and the things they are doing. Why do you report on young people in particular?
Josh: Well, I think and a lot of people in the newspaper industry think right now that first of all getting young readers is very important. They are afraid they are losing readers to the Internet and to other media. First of all, I think my editors want me out there talking to young people generating news that young people would be interested in reading. Second, personally, I think a lot of the more interesting news that I am going to come across and the more interesting people I am going to meet are going to be young people, people who have fresh ideas and take different approaches to what they do.

Amanda: So, how do you keep up with it all? How do you keep up with these trends and everything?
Josh: It’s tough. Sometimes trends and people and music surprise me. Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes it’s a national trend that you can follow on MTV or major networks or read in magazines. But I’ve come to find out that by the time it makes it to major media or magazines or television, the trend is probably dying with the young people and it’s the older generation that is catching on. You have to try to stay in touch with young people; you have to cultivate your beat. Also, search the Internet, check message boards and try to keep up with the pulse of what is really going on. It’s difficult though.

Amanda: How do you think the trends in Alaska compare to those in the Lower 48?
Josh: We’re Different, we are definitely different. I think we start our own trends in a lot of cases and then there is the popular notion that trends here, if they reflect the national trends, are always a little behind. In a lot of ways it is true but today we are as connected as anyone else with the Internet, with cable television, with 24-hour news. I think teens and youth here are as connected as any other kid in any other part of the country.

Amanda: One thing that I’ve noticed is, I listen to the radio a lot and I‘ll listen to a radio station then I’ll go out of state and listen to different one and there are so many songs on the same kind of station that I’ve never even heard before. Do you think we are closed off at all?
Josh: Well, maybe a little bit. But at the same time with the Internet you can get on right now and find a great station that broadcasts over the internet that might be coming from a college on the east coast or some independent radio in California and stay up with it that way. You just have to put in a little more effort than kids outside do.

Amanda: What would you say keeps you interested in youth culture, pop culture?
Josh: Well, it is always changing it is easy to stay interested. Every time you turn on the television there is something new, some new trend. Or every time you go check out bands at a showcase, there is going to be a new band that is trying something different or a band that is trying something old in a new way. It’s full of surprises. It’s exciting!

Amanda: Who do you expect read your work? Who do you write to?
Josh: Wow, I get e-mails and comments for all kinds of people. It starts with the people, the subject, the people in their circles, whether it’s parents or people that they work with. It starts there. But In general popular culture and youth culture covers all the bases. I get comments from people that surprise me even older people, older readers even older editors are interested in what youth are doing and even popular culture and how it relates to anchorage.

Amanda: All right, well, thank you, very much.
Josh: Thank you, that was fun!