Duncan McHugh has been providing his fans and listeners with an easily accessible tunnel to the pop underground for just over four-and-a-half years. His show, Duncan’s Donuts, is truly eclectic and McHugh is the first to admit that he has a broad definition of pop. So broad, in fact, that you could catch him spinning anything from the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to Tonetta, to local artist Tom Whalen’s latest so-new-it-doesn’t-even-have-a-MySpace-yet project, all on the same show. There is, however, a definite focus on local music and events. It’s not so much intentional as it is a side effect of the fact that he truly loves the local music scene. McHugh often invites friends and colleagues to co-host his show and the banter between sets is as intelligent and entertaining as college radio comes.

Discorder: What made you want to have a radio show?

Duncan McHugh: I had been volunteering around CiTR, doing non-broadcast stuff; writing for

Discorder. Then I started doing fill-ins and finally, after a while I was like, “It’s time! I gotta just do my own show. I gotta put it out there, take the risk and make the leap.”

D: What’s been your most memorable on-air moment?

DM: My fourth anniversary show happened during last year’s Fundrive and Fine Mist, who have been guests on my show a bunch, came in and made knock-off Subway sandwiches as a fundraiser. They took orders over-the-air and delivered them later that day. That was pretty special.

D: Who’s been your best guest?

DM: Getting to talk to [K Record’s recording artist] Jeremy Jay was pretty exciting, even though he wasn’t a great interview! And I’ve had a lot of great local bands come in too. It’s kind of hard to pick from all of them.

D: Which album would you bring to a deserted island?

DM: I would say the first Beat Happening album. The yellow one, I think it’s self-titled. It’s really held up. I can still listen to as much as I used too.

D: What is your favourite CiTR show (aside from your own)?

DM: It’s a tie between Parts Unknown and Pop Drones. Both Chris [-a-riffic] and Mark [Richardson] put out an amazing show each week and I find it super inspiring to listen to them.

D: What does the future hold for Duncan’s Donuts?

DM: I don’t know. I put out a record this past year with Mint Records for the Fundrive [The CiTR Pop Alliance compilation]. That was a big accomplishment. I don’t know how I’ll top that this year. Hopefully more guests… and maybe a Facebook page?!

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Duncan’s Donuts airs Thursdays from 12 to 1pm