Tony King’s illustrious career in radio began when his grandmother, reputed to be blessed with psychic powers, swirled loose tea leaves around at the bottom of a delicate bone china cup and proclaimed that he would become a hockey goalie or an artist. Out of respect for his sage-like nana’s vision, Tony briefly staged a career “between the pipes.” Alas though, at 14 years of age he turned his back on a promising career to dabble in music and art.
Like many who have an appetite to explore, Tony graduated from secondary school without a clue what career path to pursue. At the suggestion of a relative (as a way of enjoying music vicariously) he gave radio a try. Though he accelerated quickly through the ranks of hosting shows in small centres and eventually landed in Edmonton and later Vancouver, the lure of art and design drew him to the University of Alberta to study.
Much like his goaltending career, Tony’s aspirations to become a designer were short-lived, and eventually he floated back into media - specifically his first love, radio. Upon seeing a little fissure in the high alter that is CKUA, Tony found himself on the air as a fill-in host, covering all genres of music at first and later steering the weekend breakfast programs.
Currently, Tony is the host of a mid-afternoon show called Thoroughfare where he has the luxury to indulge a rapacious appetite for music that never ceases to amaze him, and has conversations with interesting people.
In addition to hosting radio programs, Tony King is an author and multimedia producer. He has published numerous freelance journalism pieces on everything from music; film culture, to the fitness ball - his work can be found in The Globe and Mail, SEE Magazine, All About Jazz, Victoria Times Colonist, Rolling Stone and nhl.com. Most recently he has explored his affection for fiction. Tony has had his one act play, Fragments produced on two separate occasions, and has just completed a series of short stories.
When he’s not working, Tony can be found enjoying the fruits of good company over coffee and biscuits or wine and tapas. Wisely, he refrains from reading tea leaves.
What are three go-to songs that inspire Tony?
"Sunny" by Bobby Hebb
"Solar Power" by Lorde
"Summer Wine" by Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra
What is an interesting detail you might not know about Tony?
Tony's hand appears in the movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
Thoroughfare
Imagine sitting at the apex of a roller coaster with a mask on, not knowing what is coming next. That is the sensation we try to evoke with Thoroughfare...minus the feeling of terror in the pit of your stomach.
Thoroughfare is like shifting between mixtapes of former lovers - the funny one who enjoyed bright, sunny pop and dance music; the analytical one who took an exploratory approach and knew every detail about every artist; the weird one who couldn't get enough ethereal shoegaze, and the earthy one who put nature and roots above all else. And though we are probably missing a few, you get the idea.
Thoroughfare is an eclectic surfeit of flourishes that is the perfect soundtrack for an exciting afternoon of listening!
