I go by DJ No Improv—which was jokingly suggested to me by my bandmate. It’s a dig at the fact that I am more of a writer than a performer and, as such, am terrible at improvising. I love jazz, though. Go figure. My show is called Novelty Mugs for the Soul, which is a freeform show of mood playlists that I make based on my favorite drinks. The themes vary from week to week, which is fun and very liberating!
How did you hear about KVRX and what made you want to do your show?
I’ve been a huge supporter of college radio since way before coming to UT. My first semester here, I was most excited about getting involved with the station. I’ve been an intern in the Production Department for almost a year, and I love getting to help out with KVRX wherever I can!
What kind of music do you play on your show and what is its overall theme?
The music I play on Novelty Mugs for the Soul goes pretty much everywhere, in terms of genre! I try to emphasize independent and DIY artists from my local music scene in San Antonio, as well as other musicians I’ve met in my own music career. Most of the music I play is indie rock, but I’m always open to exploring different genres.
What is your favorite part of being a DJ?
I love getting to share smaller artists and put the spotlight on marginalized voices in the music scene. It’s such a gift to use this platform to help out my fellow musicians, however much!
Who are your favorite artists and what are your favorite albums?
Daniel Tanghal is one of my all-time favorite DIY musicians. His band, Meth Wax, has a self-titled album which has greatly influenced my own writing and opened the door to exploring other projects. Anything Aja Volkman does, too, is also a favorite of mine. She has an amazing spirit and crazy talent, which I admire (and have tried to emulate since I was fourteen)! And—at the risk of sounding cliché, and maybe a little cringe—I love Coldplay. Viva la Vida is, by far, my favorite album of all time.
Listen to Novelty Mugs for the Soul every Thursday from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.