Renārs Kaupers: Memories and Curiosities of Working on Radio SWH

“It’s such a huge value – these 30 years here,” Kauper says about the 30th birthday of “Radio SWH” presenter Ines Vaikule. He is happy and grateful that he was able to join the radio team back in 1996. “The young student, Renārs Kaupers, who was deeply interested in radio affairs, and what a coincidence – one of the leaders of “Radio SWH” Jānis Šipkēvics worked exclusively as a lecturer at the University of Latvia that year,” recalls Kaupers.

“Fate and dating. As they say, we see the passion of the young man, yes? And a little later comes the invitation: “Well, maybe come, try it – microphone, music, conversations, “With a song about life”, says the singer. There were so many events in Cowper’s life at the same time – a new family, two little boys, student years and also the beginning period of the band. “It was a wonderful time,” he recalls, “Radio SWH was also among these new beginnings.”

Together with Horen Stalbi, Cowper also hosted the program “Ziedu klēpis” on Saturdays, in which people sent letters with wishes to their loved ones during the holidays. There were also some curious cases. At some point, both recorded the program on Thursday evening. Started around midnight, a few hours later Cowper was excitedly telling something, looked in the direction of Horen, who had a determined look and who said: “Little one, what are you up to?” It turns out that the record button was not pressed, and everything that was said was lost in the wind. “It was crazy, but there were no options – we had to record the show,” Kauper recalls, which they did immediately afterwards.

You can listen to the full recording of the program here.