Radio Personality of the Year

SHANE HERFT

Winning such a prestigious title means that the listeners out there are in massive numbers and it’s truly awesome

“Believe it or not, I was actually an introvert when I was growing up,” says Kalvin as he sits with his leather jacket lazily draped over the table beside him, his elbows on the desk, chin on his fist and a smile so bright.

Shane Herft, better known as ‘Kalvin’ on daytime radio, gets candid about his life before becoming a radio presenter.

“You could say I was a walking contradiction,” he acknowledges, jovially. “I loved the idea of public speaking and acting, but hated and shied away from the thought of doing it in public to an audience that could see me,” he reveals.

The 22-year-old is an old Peterite and was recently named Radio Personality of the Year – a title he won competing against some of Sri Lanka’s most popular presenters in Living’s social media survey. This friendly lad isn’t the least bit haughty despite winning such an accolade; on the contrary he is humble, friendly and jovial – he even cracks jokes at his own expense. Shane is the typical boy next door. As for winning Living’s title, the young radio host smiles and shrugs self-consciously: “It means a lot to me and I feel extremely honoured. In radio, you don’t realise how many people are listening because you can’t see them. So winning such a prestigious title means that the listeners out there are in massive numbers and it’s truly awesome.”

So who is Kalvin?

Ashwini Vethakan sits down with Sri Lanka’s favourite radio presenter to ask him about his favourites, dreams and ambitions in a tête-à-tête that sheds light on the man behind the voice.

ON THE AIRWAVES

STRANGEST REQUESTS OR CALLS WHILE ON AIR

There was one person who wanted me to give this ‘shout out’ to his spouse: ‘Beef rice.’ Saying that nickname on air was pretty uncomfortable.

YOUR PREFERRED GENRES TO PLAY ON AIR

Anything from the early 2000s onwards.

SONGS YOU HATE AND AVOID PLAYING

Music by BTS – I don’t hate all of it and sometimes, even vibe with some of their songs. But I only play their music because there are so many requests.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON AIR

The most embarrassing moment on air was when I forgot my own name at one point. I swear those two split seconds felt like an eternity!

HAVE YOU EVER FORGOTTEN HOW TO PRONOUNCE A NAME ON AIR? IF SO, HOW BAD WAS IT?

I struggle when it comes to Spanish song titles and I’ve had my fair share of mispronounced song titles on air. Let’s say I probably invented a new Spanish song at some point!

The most embarrassing moment on air was when I forgot my own name at one point

DIGGING DEEP

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

I’m a lover of life – a person who doesn’t mind taking the time to stop and smell the flowers once in a while. The way I see it, life is something that should be lived to the best of one’s ability and of course, one needs to share happiness with others as well.

MOST UNFORGETTABLE MEMORY

Any time I spent with my grandpa.

HOW COME?

I’ve always shared a very close bond with my grandfather. I don’t really know why I gravitated to him more than anyone else. He’s always been one of those cool grandads that you could brag about.

YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF TIME WITH YOUR GRANDFATHER

One of my best memories of him was when I was in the nursery. When stage fright got the better of me during a play, he took me aside and said: “Whatever you do, do it with the heart of a warrior.”

His words resulted in me getting my first tattoo above my heart, which reads Laoch – meaning ‘warrior’ in Irish.

THINGS YOU’VE LEARNED BY WORKING IN RADIO

I’ve learnt speaking skills because I can’t afford to say everything that pops into my head! Patience is another – I was a bit of a hothead before my career in radio.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT SO FAR

When I met my girlfriend for the first time before we started dating, I stepped on her foot while we danced.

THE ‘BEST’ MISTAKE YOU’VE EVER MADE

Starting to work at a young age. There was a point when I thought I’d never make it because of how young I was and my inexperience. But I guess I’ve done pretty well for the past couple of years.

YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

To be content with what I have and start a family soon.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED

Everything is going to be alright; maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually.

YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS

I like to think I’d still be in radio – perhaps working in production or writing music. I would also like to have my own family by then.

I’m a lover of life – a person who doesn’t mind taking the time to stop and smell the flowers once in a while