Patricia Greig: Music with a conscience takes us all on a journey

DJ Stefan Ozich of radio station Kfm. Photo / Patricia Greig

High above the K Rd kingdom, opposite St Kevins Arcade, is Kfm, a station that aims to provide a soundtrack to the heart of Auckland's music-centric community.

Kfm (106.9FM) is run by Te Karanga Trust, an organisation which, in recognition of the diversity of the community, tries to provide facilities that support and grow K Rd's creative genius.

Te Karanga runs workshops to encourage achievements in alternative vocations. The trust aims to pair gifted members who have drive and vision with young people who are learning the underground ropes.

The trust also offers an art gallery, community space and the radio station at its K Rd location.

Kfm's newest DJ is Stefan Ozich, a young man with an unquenchable passion for music. For his Lowtide Radio show on Friday mornings (10am-12pm), he takes great pride in creating a sound which connects with the community. "I take music from all over the world and put it together to inspire," he says.

"I like music with a conscience, especially hip-hop with lyrics that create an awareness."

It is an aim which is fitting, considering K Rd's vibe is well known for the fostering of progressive thinking and individualism.

The street has seen the musical coming of age and expression of many an Auckland subculture, regardless of genre.

Those nights spent revelling in the glory of St Kevins Arcade bars, stumbling up and down those not so glorious stairs and sweating in underground venues, was a youth well spent.

"I prefer the music to do the talking," Ozich says between swigs from a bottle that looks like it holds a gallon of water.

The booth feels like a sauna, and prayer flags flutter as a fan beats out a breeze.

"I'm aware of my political surroundings, of what's around the corner, and I don't discriminate with music. It comes from all edges of the world."

Ozich, ever dedicated to the cause, can be trusted to have listened and developed an opinion on surfacing new tracks from artists whose work spans genres from hip-hop to house.

Keen listeners can track this during his show; they can also use the Lowtide blog, curated in part by Ozich, which features his stand-out musical finds from the web.

To awaken his audience's senses, Ozich explains that when he DJs, he explores a beat and lets it tell its story so the listener can experience the track before he mixes it.

It's when he explains his musical methods and hunches over the deck, swaying with the beat, that you can see how much pleasure he takes from his work. It's more than choosing songs, it's about taking the listener on an aural journey and generating expression in time with the music.

The K Rd baton is in good hands. The community's currents of progression through the years have created strong foundations on which creative journeys continue to be fostered. Ozich is a perfect example of this; long may he reign.