Brighid Bandel

How long have you been involved with KCSU and how did you first hear about the station?

I have been a part of KCSU since November of last year! I came in as a DJ when a representative from Rocky Mountain Student Media came into one of my classes to talk about KCSU. I knew about KCSU a lot longer than that, I used to listen to it a lot in classes or on my way home from school. I always really wanted to work at a radio station or do something with music since I see my future career in the music industry. So I began volunteering last year, and quickly applied for the Music Director position when it opened up in December for this year.

What advice can you offer other MDs as the best way to get their DJs to play the new music the station receives from labels and promoters?

I always encourage the DJs to think of the impact they want to have in the music community! When you really think about it, most of the music we get sent from labels and promoters are smaller artists or artists that most people are unfamiliar with. When a DJ decides to play that artist, it’s not only letting our listeners discover new music, but allowing the artist to do this as a career! I always remind DJs that they do have an important role at the station when it comes to playing the music we get sent from labels. I also just let them know that it’s super fun to discover new music for yourself too! You never know if the new album sent from a promoter will be your new favorite thing to listen to!

What part of your job do you love the most?

I love everything about my job, but I think my favorite part is simply discovering new music. Before I came into this position, I spent about 3 hours a day just going through Spotify making playlists and getting new music. Now, I get to do that same hobby as a job, and somewhat be in the know of what’s happening in the industry! For example, I discovered CMAT when I first started at KCSU, and we really wanted her album in the station when it released early March. When I reached out to her team, we got it sent about a week early, and I just was extremely excited – I think I screamed a little inside when we got it sent. So the fact I get to be in the loop when it comes to music releases and get to discover a lot of cool artists is insane to me!

What was your favorite album released in the last year? Is there a 2022 release on the horizon you are eagerly awaiting?

Asking to pick my favorite album is like choosing a favorite child, so I’ll try to make this short. Obviously as I mentioned before CMAT’s album, “If My Wife New I’d Be Dead” has been on repeat since it came out, but Basia Bulat’s album, “The Garden,” is one of the most beautiful albums I’ve heard in a while – it makes me want to frolic in a field. I’m really excited for Father John Misty’s album, “Chloë and the Next 20th Century” that is supposed to come out this April as well as Orville Peck’s album, “Bronco” also coming out in April.

Do you have a favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

Again, I can’t just choose one! I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of listening to Remi Wolf, Joesef, The Cranberries, Frank Ocean, Grimes,Vampire Weekend, or Fleetwood Mac. Oh, and I cannot forget queen Britney Spears!

Which artist/band has put on the best live show you’ve ever seen? Have you attended a live show recently now that tours are happening? If so, how was it seeing live music again?

I will say I go to concerts about once a week, so it’s hard to choose just one but I will this time! I’m a super big fan of Tyler, the Creator, so when I got to see him for the first time at Red Rocks Amphitheater, it was a really cool experience. Any show at Red Rocks just is a magical experience, the venue is genuinely the coolest one I’ve ever been to, so I’m excited for the summer concert season coming up soon! The last show I got to go to was Sports at the Aggie Theater here in Fort Collins, with Lady Denim opening for them. It was such a good show and it really makes me super happy that live music is back! I live for concerts, they are my kryptonite.

Who is an artist or band totally outside the realm of the music you play on KCSU that people might be surprised to know you love?

It’s a running joke here at KCSU that I have an obsession with One Direction & NSYNC*. What can I say, boy bands are my guilty pleasure that I’m not that ashamed about! I grew up with those two bands being super big in my life, so they will always have a soft spot in my heart and I still know the words to every single one of their songs.

If you had the power to instantly change one thing going on in the world at the moment, what would it be?

I think it’s pretty simple in my eyes, I would just want the world to be peaceful. Everyone loves each other and accepts everyone for who they are. I think just having a world where everyone can be themselves, vibe, and be happy is something I would change.

What event in your life would you say has shaped you the most as a person?

There were definitely a lot of things that happened at a young age that I think has shaped me into the person I am, but I just think being super close to my dad and him basically being my best friend has shaped my hobbies, music taste, vocabulary, literally everything. He was the coolest person to have as a parent, he always supported me and my crazy ambitious goals, but also played guitar, taught me how to cook, how to be kind to people, and how to basically survive in life. I owe a lot of my success in life to him!

If you could choose, what time period in the past would you most want to travel back to visit and why?

I would love to go back to the sixties or seventies! That is definitely my favorite era of music, fashion, and all around vibe! I would love to attend Woodstock, and see those iconic bands from the sixties emerge and see what they were like before they were household names.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in town (dine-in or take out) that you recommend people try?

GINGER AND BAKER!! It is the best restaurant in Fort Collins! They have the best food in town, and use all local suppliers/ingredients! Also the building itself is super cool!

What in your life brings you the most joy?

My friends, my family, sunsets, and warm weather!

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat?  Cats
Morning Person or Night Owl?  Morning Person
City or Country?  City
Beach or Mountains?  Beach
Watch TV or Read A Book?  Book
Sunny or Rainy?  Sunny
Restaurant or Home Cooking?  Home Cooking
Pants or Shorts?  Shorts
Warm or Cold drinks?  Cold

Do you have any current favorite TV shows you’re enjoying/binging? How about a movie (new or old) that you’ve watched recently that you would recommend?

Currently, my roommates and I are binging “Love Island: Australia” together and that’s really the only show I’m watching, but it’s super bad that it’s good! (I do recommend reading “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the book I’m reading right now!) The other day, my friend and I watched “Disturbing Behavior” on HBO Max, and it was so weird. I just want everyone to watch it so I have someone else to talk about it with!

The country is once again being torn apart. Which side are you on? The side that posts every Wordle score on social media after you play or the side that wonders why on earth anyone cares about your score or even knows what Wordle is?

I’m unfortunately on the side that wonders what Wordle even is, I just don’t think I have the brain to play that game!