DJ Bobbi Rich is the creative mind behind the fabulous and eye-catching show, Hangin Tuff, which features live music from local Seattle bands played on a boat and interviews in a hot tub. The nautical theme, which lends itself to fun splashes and intimate bathing suits, is fresh and interesting like no other show in the city. Hangin Tuff will showcase its premier Thursday at 8:30PM at Central Cinema in Capitol Hill. You’ll wanna be there! In the mean time, here’s an interview with the show’s creator. 

Jake Uitti: What was your inspiration for starting the show Hangin Tuff?

Bobbi Rich: I missed getting to see a band’s personality – most interview shows are just that, interviews, with a lot of the same questions. Then the band says when and where you can get their album, then they play a song. Boring. There’s no fun, nothing relatable that really gets your interested on another level. I miss seeing more, getting to know a band, having fun with them. There used to be so many shows that brought you the fun and real side out of bands, not so much any more. It’s all pretty “too cool for school” boring stuff if you ask me. I want to see a group be silly, tell stories, and leave you feeling that you really got to know them a little.

JU: How did you come to the idea to use boats and the pier for the show?

BR: I’ve always loved boats, and nautical things in general. My father and my grandfather were both fishermen.  On new years day 2013 I rented a hot tub boat and that’s where I first came up with the idea.

JU: You’re into shorter episodes – why?

BR: I’d love to do longer full-length episodes for television, but for now since the show is living online we were encouraged to keep them shorter. I hope we can get the funding and placement for next season and really get to spread our wings with longer, fuller episodes.

JU: Central cinema – how did that come about for the debut?

BR: Central Cinema is one of my favorite spots in Seattle, it was perfect. They have a stage for the bands to play and of course the perfect setting for watching film! I live a couple blocks away and it’s my favorite dinner and a movie spot. They also are very creative and fun with their scheduling which I appreciate: I love their Cartoon Happy Hours, 99cent movie night, Movie Cat Trivia, and sing-alongs.

JU: How do you look for bands?

BR: Producing/DJing shows & events in the Seattle music scene, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing local acts. I’ve been trying to go to as many shows as possible, working on the lineup for next season. I hope to film 12 episodes in season 2. Also, we’d like to bring the Hot Tub Boat to various festivals like Sasquatch & Bumbershoot and do short three-minute interviews with the bands with a green screen behind us. If we could go in the actual gorge at Sasquatch that would be super fun as well.

JU: Ideal situation, where is Hangin Tuff in three years?

BR: I’d like to see us make it on Television or Hulu. There just are so many ideas I have for the show, it’s begging to be more than 10mins per episode. I want Seattle to always be the home base for the show, I think this city breathes art and music and it’s nautical setting is perfect, but it would be super fun to take the hot tub boat on the road to other cities. Also, I’d love to involve more sketch comedy with the bands as well as some top secret stuff I’m working on for season 2!

Watch the Hangin Tuff episode with Fly Moon Royalty here: