Features Jan 11, 2012 at 4:00 am

What’s a Nice Jewish Boy Doing in a Graveyard Shift Like This?

Meet Alex Ruder, KEXP’s Overnight Sensation and the Most Underrated DJ at the Station

Dave Segal
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Comments

1
Hey Alex, keep up the awesome work! Feels like it wasn't that long ago when I was bugging you and Chris over at Rainy Dawg :)
biju on January 11, 2012 at 9:31 AM Report this
2
Hip Hop... Good grief.
Arthur Zifferelli on January 11, 2012 at 10:09 AM Report this
3
.. i <3 him so much..and the best is yet to come..y'all just watch and listen
reverend dr dj riz on January 11, 2012 at 10:48 AM Report this
4
All of the DJs at KEXP are so committed to music, it's always awesome to see. Alex does a great job, it's really nice to see him get a nod for that. I'm super proud to have KEXP be in our community.
Kallisti on January 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM Report this
5
Alex's Friday-night graveyard shift gives us a beautiful, dreamy, eye-opening carpet-ride every Saturday morning over here in Europe. Alex has become part of our 'welcome to the weekend' ritual and what a great way to begin! We are not worthy ;-)

DonnyVonScotch on January 11, 2012 at 11:04 AM Report this
6
nice feature, well done!
latchselena on January 11, 2012 at 11:05 AM Report this
7
what a great piece and it truly highlights how alex (who is just great when i am awake...zzzz) and el toro REALLY need daytime slots.

hearing john morning and cheryl afternoon banter this morning (and other mornings) had me dry heaving. out with the old and in with the new KEXP - the time is now! oh yeah, get rid of that kevin cole too and throw in rachel.
birdy num num on January 11, 2012 at 11:13 AM Report this
8
Alex is an excellent DJ and I'm happy every time I catch him on the air. Keep up the great work!
saigon on January 11, 2012 at 11:47 AM Report this
9
"Shortly before that, he made an OC Notes/Sufjan Stevens transition sound unfeasibly smooth."

I've always said Riz can make a transition from Dusty Springfield to obscure German techno sound amazing- Alex does the same thing. Encapsulating a shifting vibe that still has a calm, beautiful center... thank you for the great article!!!
randomsumm3r on January 11, 2012 at 12:13 PM Report this
10
100% legit dude, no doubt! Also, Alex loves it when you call in and request to hear some Black Dice.
Chris Govella on January 11, 2012 at 12:42 PM Report this
11
Great article on a great DJ! I'd be lying if I didn't say it makes me proud to see Alex getting the props he deserves. You go, boy!
boyd main on January 11, 2012 at 12:48 PM Report this
12
Great feature on a great dj!
on January 11, 2012 at 1:01 PM Report this
13
Thanks for the great story, Dave. I remember when you wrote a blog post about Alex and me both approaching you at a show and how you were excited by local radio kids keeping things interesting. Just so you know I'm news director at KYRS Spokane now. We just upped the signal to full-power and reach over 300,000 households in Eastern Washington. Exciting times in independent radio. Peace, Gavin Dahl
on January 11, 2012 at 1:43 PM Report this
14
Best KEXP DJ hands-down!!
person159 on January 11, 2012 at 1:54 PM Report this
15
Yes! Alex is so the shit that even shit is like SHIIIIIT. Love this.
Larry Mizell, Jr. on January 11, 2012 at 3:06 PM Stranger Staff
16
DO NOT TOUCH THE GROOVES OF THE VINYL. Only the label and the edges. Jeez.
Max Solomon on January 11, 2012 at 3:25 PM Report this
17
Alex! This is so awesome and I'm glad you're finally getting the recognition you deserve! Rock on! :) Your hard work and dedication surely has paid off :)
LittleSeattleObservationist on January 11, 2012 at 3:59 PM Report this
18
Alex, you've always been an awesome DJ and nothing makes me happier than knowing your talent is being shared with the masses and recognized at long last. I'm count myself lucky to have been there with you at the beginning of your radio journey.

And personality? Honey, c'mon--no one can do dead pan like you. No.One.
erinwhitcomb on January 11, 2012 at 4:15 PM Report this
19
Great piece and couldn't be more deserving for Alex. He's extremely supportive of the community and plays such a wide and eclectic selection. I've discovered quite a few gems because of him.
214 on January 11, 2012 at 4:27 PM Report this
20
Excellent piece Dave. Alex is my favorite DJ at KEXP.
Nordic on January 11, 2012 at 4:34 PM Report this
21
COOL! nice to see this feature on YOU... I'm a Video Isle Fan of yours and psyched you're lovin your DJ gig!
on January 11, 2012 at 5:02 PM Report this
22
Not familiar with classic rock and classic alternative? Good!! That shit belongs in a museum, not the on the airwaves.

Seems like Alex's show should take over the Friday evening timeslot for Shake the Shack. That's prime prefunc time. We need phat beats, not Rock-a-Billy.
seandr on January 11, 2012 at 6:26 PM Report this
23
I've listened to KCMU/KEXP since the early 80s, and haven't heard a DJ on the station come anywhere close to the mighty Riz and his unbelievable gift of blending seemingly disparate genres in a set and turn them into something profound and special - until Alex. We're very fortunate to have them both on the airwaves. Outstanding piece, Dave!
loganlorelai on January 11, 2012 at 9:05 PM Report this
24
Without exaggeration, there is no other DJ that I look at and study their playlists more than Alex. He's always on the cutting edge, breaking acts way before anyone else. I can't count the number of times I've discovered amazing musicians and songs through his show. Congratulations on this great write-up, I look forward to many more excavated diamonds in the rough!
cosby on January 12, 2012 at 9:39 AM Report this
25
Great article. Will now stay up to tune in.
AgntDblOSOUL on January 12, 2012 at 10:42 AM Report this
26
KEXP is so staid and predictable during the day (with the notable exception of Preachin' the Blues on the weekend); I'm glad the night shifts still belong to the brave.
Explorer on January 12, 2012 at 12:17 PM Report this
27
I am trying to figure out this whole "Jewish" angle. What's the point? I mean, if he were a priest you might want to mention the Jewish thing, or if he was known for putting mayonnaise on pastrami sandwiches. SO he's Jewish? Big fucking deal. It's unusual for a "nice Jewish boy" to be a DJ? I guess even in this day and age in backwater Seattle, Jews are considered "exotic" or "the other."
Nonee Friend on January 13, 2012 at 10:19 AM Report this
28
I don't get the Jewish angle. So he's Jewish. Big fucking deal. Like nice Jewish boys can't be DJs? I could understand it if he exclusively played black gospel music or scared Muslim hymns or he was known for putting mayonnaise on pastrami sandwiches, but other than that I really don't see the point. It's just a cheap gimmick.
Just goes to show what a backwater place Seattle really is. "Oooooh, Jews are so exotic."
Nonee Friend on January 13, 2012 at 10:31 AM Report this
29
alex IS the shit
karybwayson on January 13, 2012 at 8:13 PM Report this
30
@27/28
Cheap gimmick? I'll have you know that it cost $99.95 at Nordstrom.
Dave Segal on January 14, 2012 at 1:56 PM Stranger Staff
31
It's the internet. Link to Alex's page, which link to his archived shows.

http://kexp.org/dj/Alex

Knuckleheads.
Jason Osgood on January 16, 2012 at 8:58 AM Report this
32
From a Video Isle customer and a listener supporter, Alex knows his stuff. Such a Great Article on one of my favorite KEXP DJ's, thanks for recognizing great talent!
on January 18, 2012 at 10:22 AM Report this
33
White male from Bainbridge Island. Parents paid for his success. No doubt.
on January 22, 2012 at 11:36 AM Report this
34
@33 you're an naturally born idiot... "Parents paid for his success."

You can't pay to be talented like Alex. Naturally born brilliant... unlike you.
on November 5, 2012 at 11:38 AM Report this

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