What's your position and how long have you been on staff?
Music Programming Director, been on staff for 2 semesters so far.
What is your typical day like as a staff member?
Usually I'll wake up, maybe go to training, check the diversity and listener count of DJs playlists, check emails, and add a whole bunch of new DJs to the schedule!
What do you do outside of KVRX?
I'm a part of the UT Symphony Orchestra and a music major, so a lot of my time spent outside of KVRX is spent practicing and rehearsing double bass and piano. It's one of the biggest parts of my life. I've been playing classical double bass for around 9 years now, ever since 5th grade! Damn. Makes me feel old. I fell In love with music during my junior year of high school, and I've never looked back. I love how expressive I can be with music, and it's allowed me to experience some of the greatest moments of my life up until this point. It's something I would love to (and plan to!) do as a career some day, so hopefully you'll find me on the roster of the New York Philharmonic someday! Who knows! As for some hobbies in addition to music, I've been on a big photography kick lately. I've been getting into film photography and it's so much fun. I love taking pictures of people and friends mostly. I also skateboard. Maybe one of y'all can catch me at house park or No-Comply sometime!
What is the name of your show? What is your show about?
Good Gravy is my show! My show's mostly about emo, but I also play a lot of the music that I'm messing with at the moment. I like to analyze interesting musical choices such as irregular time signatures, interesting harmonic changes, and just overall how and why a song makes you feel cool emotions. The name Good Gravy comes from the iconic exclamation, which is something that I say a lot! People have told me that that phrase makes me sound like a dad/50 year old man. It's great.
If you could only play one album on your show what album would it be? Why?
I would say The Wall by Pink Floyd. There's just so so much to break down with interesting musical choices, parallels with the album's themes and me being a musician, and it's overall influence and significance in the grand scheme of psychedelic rock. I could definitely talk about it for hours and I think I would have my dad come with me on the show! He introduced me to it growing up and it's now my favorite album.
Favorite concert?
I would have to say when Origami Angel opened for Mom Jeans. Such a great concert maaaan... I was just absolutely screaming every lyric. They had been a band I had wanted to see forever, and it was just surreal to see them live and experience the huge sound that they have as a band with just 2 members. They absolutely crushed it and I sang along to every Origami Angel song I could. It was my first concert at a smaller venue, and was one of the first times I had moshed. It was an insane amount of fun and the energy in the crowd was genuinely tangible. I also got kicked in the face by someone crowdsurfing and almost lost my glasses.
If you could have your favorite artist sing you Happy Birthday who would it be and why?
Well my favorite artist is Pink Floyd, so I'd love to see how they take "Happy Birthday" and make it a 9-minute song about death and capitalism.
If you could only listen to one song on repeat for the rest of your life, what song would it be?
So I want to change it up with an orchestral song. Enigma Variations IX: Nimrod by Edward Elgar is my favorite classical piece of all time. It's a wonderfully gorgeous work that makes me cry every time I hear it. While not technically a song, I could listen to it for the rest of my life and never complain. To me it's a story about love, triumph, sadness, change, and all that sappy stuff. Ask me about it anytime and I'll talk for like an hour.
What's your favorite KVRX memory?
Valentine's Day party Spring 2022. It was where I really got to know and meet some really people in KVRX. I had a lot of fun talking to other DJs in a super relaxed environment that made me feel as though I was welcome. The tunes were super rad too. Big shoutouts to the homies that were there. The weather was nice and cool, everybody was socializing, and I felt like I had found an org to call home.
Lastly...what advice would you give to the new DJs?
I would say... be confident and get engaged! Whether it be on air, meeting new people, or messaging in the discord, we love to hear from you and meet you guys. Also, (arguably more important) is to have fun! KVRX is an amazing place to find new music, artists, and friends. Reach out to people and ask others to be on your show!