First Up

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Simulcast of the morning radio show airing Mondays from 7:30 - 9am ET (formerly 6 - 7:30 ET live), on 93.3 CFMU (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada) and at cfmu.ca. Any episodes not available on the CFMU website will (most likely) appear here. Additionally, most (if not all) individual episode descriptions and addenda will appear here as links to the CFMU counterpart webpage. Hosted by Jomar Quilatan, a third-year student at McMaster University.

Jomar Quilatan


    • Mar 31, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 8m AVG DURATION
    • 97 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from First Up

    #67 | Sienna Leone / How Persistence and Media Correspondence Go a Long Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 79:13


    We're deep into awards season, and who better (aside from the stars) to chat with than someone close to all the action?  In this episode, we're interviewing the celebrity interviewer in Sienna Leone, learning a bit about her craft and her outlook on persistence through her life's journey thus far.

    #66 | Janette Voski / Passion and Historic Elegance, Personified

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 66:05


    Classic cars, classic styles - it's all in the classic experience!   In this episode, I chat with Janette Voski, author of a self-published poetry book called "Chrome", filled with written, illustrated and photographed experiences that outline passion.Get your copy of Janette's works today! -> Chrome: The Poetry Publication by Janette Voski | Blurb Books AustraliaJanette's YouTube channel -> Janette Voski - YouTube

    #65 | stereoruss / Late Afternoons and Deep Pockets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 62:45


    Back in CFMU land with a fellow volunteer, Russ Piva!  Known as stereoruss on socials and his show, Inside The Music, and (just) Russ in his band, The Tisdale, we sat down in the production room for a first-time chat reflecting on his show's first year on the air.  Plus, with two show hosts in the same room, anything in conversation could happen!

    #64 | Darren McKee / Challenging Intelligence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 44:18


    A chat about AI!  What is it?  How is it impacting us?  How should we react to it?  In this episode, we chat with Darren McKee (host on The Reality Check podcast) whose newest publication, Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World, seeks to provide some insight on these questions.

    #63 | Ian Arden / (Re) Views of Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 72:03


    Chatting with Toronto-based singer-songwriter Ian Arden about his latest EP, "Songs For Rebecca", and our collective views on the word today.

    #62 | Emma Cook / Life's Funny Ways

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 36:28


    Chatting with Canadian singer-songwriter Emma Cook in advance (at time of original release) of a show in Hamilton.

    #61 | John Barrett (Bass Drum Of Death) / Early Summer Kickoff

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2023 22:53


    Chatting with John Barrett (Bass Drum of Death) on the band and their latest release, Say I Won't.

    #60 | Ariana Fig / Taking a Little More than Just Five

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 57:10


    Chatting with Hamilton's own Ariana Fig about her music - particularly her latest EP, Maroon - and leading off with a set of mostly "unusual" time signatures.--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/37696.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #59 | Lauren Howe (Revisited) / Just As Fresh As It Was... in 2020!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 71:35


    Revisiting the highlights of one of my favourite conversations on the show, somewhat as part of the show's 3rd anniversary celebrations...with Lauren Howe!--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/37587.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    fresh lauren howe
    #58 | Caity Gyorgy / How It All Ties Back to High School Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 76:03


    A chat with (now 2x JUNO award-winner!) Caity Gyorgy on her award-winning album, Featuring, as well as her other recent endeavours, what's ahead...and certain annoying e-mail requests.--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/37478.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #57 | The Most Music I've Ever Shared? (CFMU Fundraiser Special '23)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 39:11


    Special episode filled with music and a little bit about CFMU an First Up - consider it your First Up "litmus test".  Please consider supporting CFMU at https://cfmu.ca/fundraising.--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/37260.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #56 | Kees Gootjes / We're Gonna Need a Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 73:52


    Another full-length feature - this time with musician Kees Gootjes, just on the way back to Holland after a visit to Hamilton...and, of course, to his stomping grounds that is McMaster University (and CFMU!).--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/37151.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #55 | Kristy Hagerman / All Is Timely

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 90:22


    (Finally) kicking off our 4th year on the air!  Featuring a returning guest, Kristy Hagerman, in conversation about catching up and the release of her latest album, Right. --Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/36604.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #54 | To Campus & Community Radio!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 57:44


    More bites of nostalgia, but also a lot about thanking campus and community radio while in conversation with Olivia Street aka King of Foxes.--Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/35504.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #53 | Grateful & Great-full

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 64:26


    In conversation with the bane AHRF.  I totally didn't take eight months to release this episode...Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/35068.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #52 | An Unofficial Anniversary / Solidarity & Soul

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 42:48


    More music of interest.  This one's for those plagued with the war scene of late and its effects.Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/31457.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #51 | Filling, Stalling & Storytelling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 48:23


    Lots of music (and talking, as suggested by the titular verbs).  Can a sequence of songs tell a story?  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/31231.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #50 | Sides

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 44:00


    Lots of new singles and fabulous B-sides (and even songs with only one side coming out) to welcome you back to Mac, if you are a student, or to kick off February in all other cases.  Full episode and addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/31118.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    BONUS: #49 | "Off-Air" with Sabrina Fallah

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 26:03


    As mentioned on-air in E49, here is the extra conversation with Sabrina Fallah, which ultimately made our Zoom call last a little over an hour and a half.  Check out the full (original) episode at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/31005.

    #49 | Sabrina Fallah / A New Year Bookended by Merseyside & Manchester

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 80:43


    A full episode's worth of conversation with epic punk rocker Sabrina Fallah and her time with two great BBC shows...and how we all never thought of trying to build a colossal snowman in our driveways during the snowstorm from a couple of weeks ago.  Full episode and details can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/31005.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!  I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to.

    #48 | Alex Southey / Singles & 'Sembles of Songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 62:31


    Snow, songs and stalling are what make up this episode!  (I somehow have been stuck with the "S"-starting alliterations for this episode; don't mind me.)  Plus, speaking with singer-songwriter Alex Southey.  Full episode and details can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/30892.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #47 | Finding Music & Nostalgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 38:34


    All sorts of music in an attempt to make up for all the missed episodes over the past 10+ weeks.  Nostalgia-basking recommendations included.   Full songs, details and episode addenda can be viewed and heard at cfmu.ca/episodes/30666.   Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #46 | KICKSIE / Many Starts, Returns, Apologies & Thanks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 71:25


    Getting back into things in many ways (most notably in the studio!).  Plus, a guest whose feature is long overdue out of my own fault.  The original direct stream file, as well as full details and episode addenda, can be viewed at cfmu.ca/episodes/30553.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #45 | Renee Sekula / "Technology is Beautiful!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 43:23


    Back at it (finally) for the first time in a while!  With a great guest, too - Hamilton-based singer/songwriter Renee Sekula - in for a chat to kick things off for the month of October.  Full episode and details / addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/29084.Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #44 | Music, Music, Music, Music, Music, Music, and More Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 90:00


    I feel that I should have included one instance of "Music" for every song featured today...but I think you get the idea.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/27369.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #43 | Catching Up with (Essential) Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 90:00


    ...and that means you, too, because every friend is an essential friend!  In conversation with two good friends of mine as well.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/26791.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #42 | Sarah Jessica / The Hot (Seat[s]) & Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 91:00


    Getting to know music journalist Sarah Jessica, playing new music, and finding out just how shaky I can be.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/25855.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #41A | BONUS CONTENT | Tim Newton / Shred Kelly

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 40:56


    More for your E41 listening pleasure, in case you wanted to hear another voice aside from mine (given how much I realise I talked in the main episode) - this time, with Tim Newton of the BC-based band, Shred Kelly, on their latest single and festival page tour.  Plus, a great deal of discussion of real and virtual campfires.  Check out more info, plus a special CFMU-exclusive release, on the ON-AIR episode page, coming soon!  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    bc tim newton cfmu shred kelly
    #41 | Keeping Things As Most Possibly Short As Virtually Possible

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 90:00


    Lots of new music, plus an upcoming video feature and a revelation about the irony of this very title...  Happy Family Day!  Stay tuned for episode page content at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/25270, coming soon.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #40 | Kate Drummond / "Stay the Course"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 97:42


    A most interesting conversation about film, teaching and video games in a "timeless" interview.  Plus, some beyond-deserved recognition for some of the senior legends of world.   Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/24919.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    stay the course kate drummond
    #39 | [Finally] Starting a New Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 90:00


    Starting it right, with new music to bring on 2021 no matter where it takes us.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at [TBA].  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #38 | [Finally] Starting a New Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 95:04


    Surprise!  I'm kicking off the second year of First Up (albeit a few weeks behind), which means looking back at the first year and looking ahead at every possible type of new year to come.  Also cramming in that wee bit of Christmas and New Year's into one episode.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at [coming soon!].  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #37 | Deanna Gowland / "The Answer Is..."

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 90:00


    In conversation with musician Deanna Gowland on her latest EP, as well as a wild (a very wild) tangent on game shows.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/23882.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay hopeful!

    #28 | Deanna Gowland / "The Answer Is..."

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 58:35


    This episode was originally aired as E37 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.  It was the first episode for the time slot change of the original show from 6 - 7:30 to 7:30 - 9 in the mornings.Original release date: November 23, 2020 

    #36 | Falling Back, Looking Forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 90:00


    New music, and revisits of old fun in this out-of-the-ordinary episode...great to go along with that extra hour of sleep we got (and perhaps longed for).  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/23531.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #35 | Happenings Over Virtual Coffees / Calling Roger Ashby?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 90:05


    Talking about a good amount of what seems to be a busy October, with a special guest in and an "honorary mention" out...  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/23180.Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #27 | Sage McBride (Shred Kelly)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 29:58


    This episode was originally aired as E35 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: October 12, 2020Alternate episode title: "Happenings Over Virtual Coffees / Calling Roger Ashby?"

    #34 | Welcome (Back) Month

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 90:00


    (Finally) back into the swing of things with a lot of great music to kick off September...many weeks later.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/22945.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #33 | Kim Mitchell / Your Good Ol' Morning Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 90:20


    Music galore, in an attempt at the closest to my usual "live" shows.  Also featuring a quick (but absolutely fun) chat with THE Kim Mitchell.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/22126.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #26 | Kim Mitchell

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 17:12


    This episode was originally aired as E33 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: August 10, 2020Alternate episode title: "Your Good Ol' Morning Show"

    #32 | Hélène Caron / High-Quality Phone Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 91:30


    A full-feature interview, back with Hélène for more about French in Hamilton and beyond.  Plus, guess who was on the phone...  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/tenon/episodes/21892.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive! 

    #25 | Hélène Caron / High-Quality Phone Calls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 90:12


    This episode was originally aired as E32 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: July 27, 2020

    #31 | Mitchell Kos / New Day Material

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 91:00


    In conversation with Mac alumnus Mitch Kos about his take on the pandemic, plus a lot of catching up with him (having been a few months since meeting for the first time).  And, of course, morning jazz for a portion of the show...can't get enough of that!  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/21775.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #24 | Mitchell Kos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 49:06


    This episode was originally aired as E31 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: July 20, 2020Alternate episode title: "New Day Material"

    #30 | Emma McCarty / All Sorts of Pauses

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 90:00


    Get to know who exactly Emma McCarty is...after a lot of explaining I have to do.  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/21658.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #23 | Emma McCarty / All Sorts of Pauses

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 33:29


    This episode was originally aired as E30 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: July 13, 2020

    #29 | Sync & Shenanigans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020 90:00


    Pretty much just shenanigans, and, for the first time, an interview of...me!  Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/21424.  Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #28 | Avery Jackman / Sharing the Tea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 90:47


    Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at https://cfmu.ca/episodes/21307.Stay informed, stay safe, stay positive!

    #22 | Avery Jackman / Sharing the Tea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 54:29


    This episode was originally aired as E28 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: June 15, 2020

    #27 | M Harrison Shin & Jani Panda / 11 Weeks Later...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 48:00


    Chatting (again) with M Harrison Shin & Jani Panda about their (first) year at CFMU.Full details and episode addenda can be viewed at [TBA].  There will be no new episode for next week, the 8th of June, as this one will rerun and its episode information will be provided accordingly.I encourage you to keep checking the original episode page, as it has been repurposed in solidarity with the particular motions of recent against racism towards Black people and against police brutality.  This, however, will be (and is to be) something beyond Blackout Tuesday.Stay informed, stay well, stay positive!

    #21 | M Harrison Shin & Jani Panda / 11 Weeks Later...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 49:23


    This episode was originally aired as E27 under "First Up" - full episode (as bonus content) here.Original release date: June 1, 2020 (even though the intro, in error, mentions June 8 - it's actually June 1!)

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