#tim deegan

AO: Why did you audition to become a Much Music VJ? TD: I decided to audition because i always wanted to be on tv or in a movie, or to have my band make it big. I think every kid at some point dreams that but i saw this as the opportunity to at least try.

AO: Can you re-call your first interview for Much On Demand? How did you prepare for it? TD: Its funny…i can’t actually remember my first MOD interview. But i know how i got ready for it. I read.. a lot!!! i read up on the band, I tried to find out as much as i could and figure out what i could talk to them about that someone hasn’t already asked them. Or find something i know will get a good answer. Then i came up with my questions, put them on cards in case i needed them, and went over them so i could go into the interview knowing what i want to talk about.

AO: Can you give our viewers a little insight on how a typical day at Much Music ran for you? TD: A typical day for me at much music was arrive for 9:30, MOD meeting at 10, after the meeting surf the web to find interesting things to talk about on air that day, or prep for an interview if there was one that day. I would shoot promos, which were usually about 1 minute recorded spots that would run in-between music videos after work hours late at night and early in the morning, as if we were live in studio. Then I would go and record Voice Overs for MOD, after that I would go live on air and host for an hour of Video Flow in the afternoon, just introducing music videos and talking about what’s happening in the world of music. Then it was final prep for MOD, MOD rehearsals, then MOD live on air. And when that was finished i would go home. That was a typical day, without going and shooting on location for a different MuchMusic shows or interviews.

AO: As a VJ you got to interact with a lot of musicians. During your time on Much Music what was your favorite interview? TD: Its hard to pick just one favorite interview. i like different ones for different reasons. I like my Ke$ha interview a lot because i think her and the viewers really enjoyed it. We were both laughing which is always a good sign when doing an interview. I also always enjoyed talking to Hedley and Marianas Trench, both very fun bands and always a good interview!

AO: I know when I started watching Much Music when I was in grade 6; I looked up to you because you literally had the most amazing job ever. You got to interview all these celebrities; we could say you had my “dream job.” Did you look up to any VJ’s before your time? Who was your favorite? TD: I looked up to Rick Campanelli and George Stroumboulopoulos. Both Rick and George loved music and knew a ton, but they also seemed like guys that I would be friends with, very personable and relatable and after knowing them both now i can say that they are!

AO: As a VJ what is one piece of character or personality that someone needs? TD: I think to be a VJ you need to be real and you need to be relatable. if not the audience will see through it and not enjoy watching someone that is fake or not someone they would like to meet in person.

AO: From your time on Much Music what is your most memorable moment? What do you miss most about it? TD: This is another tough one. there were so many fun or memorable moments. Egg fight with Matte and I vs Jacob and Dave from Hedley. Live Earth, and the Olympics. What i miss most about Much is meeting all the viewers that would come in for a tour or sit in the audience, or even just knock on the window while i was in studio. I always tried to make everyones Much Music experience as amazing as possible so that they would get that same feeling i did when i used to watch, and when i got to see the studio for the first time.

AO: What was your most stressful interview you did for Much Music? TD: My most stressful interview was Timbaland. He wasn’t in a talkative mood that day. he was giving me one word answers and we ripped through my questions pretty quick with lots of time left. So after stretching and juggling things to get through the interview. I asked one final question and he talked for 5 min straight and I couldn’t get a word in, so we ended up going way over our interview time.

AO: A lot of kids are starting music sites; connecting to management teams to book interviews, shoot shows, etc. What piece of advice can you give to them? TD: Best advice is to make contacts. The more people you know the better. And be nice to people, you never know when you will cross them again in the industry.

AO: I know this is one of the “famous” questions asked in the industry. A lot of kids are wondering if they have to attend post-secondary school to become a Much Music VJ? TD: Nope! out of all the VJs there when i was there…none of us went to school to be in or on TV. But it would probably help haha.

AO: Your now working as part as Apprentice Eh, can you tell us a little bit about it? TD: I have been apart of a bunch of projects with Apprentice Eh, and its been really cool getting more involved with online media. Its crazy to think how the industry is changing, but i don’t think the internet will overtake TV. There is a place for both, just like when TV came out and people thought radio was done. It just changes a bit, and they all find their place.

AO: What is your advice to people who would like to become a Much Music VJ, or even work in the music industry? How can they get involved until they reach their goal? TD: Volunteer wherever they can! read about how to do the things you want to do. search the internet for any info you can on how to do it. But also start a youtube channel. make videos with friends, learn how to shoot, edit, act, host, learn by doing. and for music, just be active. whatever part of the industry you want to be apart of, just get involved and try and learn so that you can eventually do that!

GET TO KNOW TIM DEEGAN AO: What was your first concert? TD: My first real concert i went to was EdgeFest. Great place to start!! tons of great bands at one show!

AO: What is your favorite CD at the moment? TD: I have been listening to a ton of We The Kings

AO: If you could be in any band, what band would you choose? TD: If i could be in any band it would probably be Blink 182

AO: Did Much Music introduce you to any new music? If so, who? TD: Yes, i found out about Ten Second Epic while at Much

AO: Any new artists you recommend our viewers check out? TD: Hollowick. They are a band from my home town, they are solid!!