The Kiwi radio king in LA
Private shows by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay are all in a day’s work for Kiwi Andrew Jeffries.
Where are you from?
Hunterville, in the Rangitikei Area. I then went to Whanganui for high school.
What inspired your move?
I started working in radio in Whanganui far too many years ago (around 1987?) while at Whanganui Boys’ College. I ended up fulltime on air, and moved a few times, including to Dunedin to launch More FM. I left New Zealand in 1997 with my wife Vicky for a one-year world tour (US, Canada, UK, Europe) and stopped in London to earn a few dollars working in a bar like any good Kiwi does ... That bored me after three days, so I sent my resume to Capital Radio.
I worked for them for many years, until changing companies to run the Galaxy Network based out of Yorkshire, before launching Kerrang! Radio UK in the West Midlands, and last stop KISS 100 London. In 2007, iHeartMedia in the US reached out. The family moved to San Francisco and after eight months to Los Angeles, where we’ve been for the past 10 years.
What do you do there?
I am exec vice president for programming across the West Coast . I run all 90-odd stations in my division for iHeartradio. I’m lucky - running this chunk of iHeartRadio is amazing. The teams that produce our on-air product are world class, literally. Super focused, successful, at the top of their careers. Plus we get to hang out with artists all the time. That does not suck when U2 get you a police VIP escort into their concert to get past traffic as your plane was late. Or you have lunch at Elton John’s home in Vegas.
What were your first impressions of the city?
My first glimpse was in 1998 – I hated LA. Hollywood is what you expect, kinda fake. But I found that people are super friendly and have real jobs.
Living here, life is excellent. Vicky, our two boys and I seem to have found our place among the 13 million others in our own Jandal-wearing way. It’s a weird city as it really has no centre. It’s also warm, constantly warm... You can plan a barbecue seven weeks out and know it’ll be fine.
How did you find settling in?
We look normalish, but sound funny. When we speak to someone new, the reaction is priceless. Say something and they just tilt their head and look at you funny. Folks are friendly where we live - wholesome, great people with families, all just trying to get ahead.
How easy was it to make friends?
We have many friends but more casual than deep rooted like the guys and girls you went through school with. Never forget friends: As life gets busier, harder, more serious, you need to have them to keep you real. While I go to concerts, Grammys and awards ceremonies almost weekly, our closes friends have nothing to do with this showbiz part of our lives. We camp and ride dirt bikes in winter and camp and throw the boat in the river for summer.
What’s your neighbourhood like?
Ever seen the TV show Weeds? It was filmed in our neighbourhood... Actually there’s usually something being filmed around us - TV shows, commercials, movies.
What do you do in your spare time?
Spend it quietly - kids’ sports (baseball, karate, marching band) and the dirt bikes, boat and camping thing with friends. Or in the pool in the backyard with the stereo going, drinking beer (wishing it was Speights) and firing up the barbecue for whoever we drag along.
What are the best things about living there?
Access to everything - the world’s largest roller coaster park is five minutes away from home. We go for an hour or two on Sundays, then leave before the crowds! Disneyland, Santa Monica, any concert you want to ever see, museums, zoos… It’s all here.
And the worst?
The fast pace of life and traffic.
Any favourite ‘‘only in LA’’ experiences?
Ed Sheeran playing for you in your office is pretty cool. Or Coldplay taking your family photo before doing an exclusive private show for your station. And In-N-Out Burger.
Do you get back to NZ often?
A few times a year – love it. New Zealand seems so green. It’s great to slow down a bit and see friends. And the coffee in New Zealand is so much better, too!