Jackie Lira

Tell us about KRUX. How it got started and what makes it unique in the Las Cruces radio market.

KRUX history as told by our underwriter: “In a galaxy far far away from here, one guy for whatever reason decided to get this place licensed by the FCC. 30 or some years later here we are.” – Brandon Mangum. But essentially that’s what happened, KRUX is a student-run radio station, and if you listen to us at 91.5fm online or on the air, you’ll hear a pretty cute promo of a recording of their first day on air. It’s kinda crazy to think about because it’s just a group of kids being fascinated by The Ramones, and as Brandon said 30 or something years later, here we are.

How long have you been at KRUX? How did you first hear about it & what is your history there?

I’m fairly new to KRUX, I started just this past August. Honestly, I wish there was more to this story, but basically I saw an ad for the position, thought “why not?” and well now I’m here.

How do you get your DJs to discover/listen to/play the new music that comes in that they aren’t familiar with?

To be perfectly honest, I don’t communicate as much with the DJ’s as much as our programming director does. However, there is a couple of DJs that I know fairly well, so the minute I hear an album that’s up there alley, I make sure to hand it out to them. We also have a pretty extensive archive room, also nicknamed “The Ostrich Habitat” (for what reason? It’s probably best not to ask.) In there any old physical adds get organized and become available to anybody in the office looking for something new.

What is your personally most anticipated upcoming release for 2019?

Hmm, theres a few here and there BUT I suppose “Divinely Uninspired to A Hellish Extent” from Lewis Capaldi is one I’m definitely looking forward to. It’s funny I heard one of his songs on the soundtrack to a Riverdale episode and fell in love ever since.

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

Hahaha I have several. So two fellas, I can never get enough of are of Lewis Capaldi and Barns Courtney. Both of their albums could be on loop for hours and I would still never get tired of them. I don’t know what to call it, I guess I have thing for artists with minimal instruments and crazy good voices.

What is the best live show you have ever attended?

So I feel like I’ve let my college radio people in this area, because truth be told….I’ve only ever been to one concert in my 19 years of life. Hehe it was K-Love Christmas Roadshow for my church, great nonetheless, but to date that was the first and only concert I’ve been to. I guess I haven’t really had the time or chance to see another concert. If anything I’ll make that a goal for the upcoming year. To go to more concerts.

Who is an artist or band completely outside the realm of college radio that people might be surprised to know you love?

I’m actually fairly loyal to my “indie/underground/garage” sounds, I think the only thing that might be out there is my occasional love for regular Top billboard pop music. If a beat is catchy and I can sing to it, I’m hooked.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

You guys are getting pretty deep here aren’t ya? Well I would have to say my favorite childhood memory would have to be the handful of times my family would visit Juarez, Mexico. I’m from El Paso, so it’s not that big of a deal to just drive maybe 20minutes on down to this whole other country. I hadn’t been there in a long time but this last weekend I went the food and family was something I was definitely missing big time.

What event/or individual in your life would you say shaped you the most as a person?

As cliché as it may sound, I definitely think high school took its toll on me. It wasn’t a bad experience but it also wasn’t an easy one. I really think the things I learned from all of my friends and teachers taught me that I genuinely can do anything I set my mind to. It was a rough ride but in the end it prepared me for so much more coming into college.

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

Huh, um I guess the 50’s. There was obviously not a lot of great things going around in that time, but I do like the concept of hanging out in a malt shop and knowing everyone in your neighborhoods name.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in Las Cruces you always make sure to take guests/visitors to?

So I’m actually fairly new to Las Cruces, again I just moved out here in maybe August. But from the couple of places I’ve been to, a favorite would have to be Caliche’s. It’s a frozen custard shop, kinda shaped like a Sonic with the menu of a Dairy Queen. But something about seems really vintage and cool ya know? They also have a green chile sundae that I’ve been trying to find the courage to order.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?

“If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”– My high school history teacher. Obviously the meaning behind it wasn’t to cheat, but to make sure you’re using all of your resources and to make sure you have the drive to accomplish every task that comes your way.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat?  Dog…preferably tiny and fluffy.
Cold drinks or hot ones?  Cold
Morning Person or Night Owl?  If you never go to bed does that make you a morning or night person? I’ll say night owl. Big time night owl.
City or Country?  City!!!
Watch TV or Read A Book?  If it’s not Harry Potter, I’m not reading it. So TV.
Winter or Summer?  Winter!!!
Dine or Delivery?  Dine
Fly or drive?  Fly
Pants or Shorts?  Shorts!!!

Do you have any current favorite TV show obsessions? What is the best movie you’ve seen recently?

Hahaha Big Mouth. It’s such a..special show. Along with that I do enjoy an unhealthy amount of Law & Order: SVU episodes back to back. As far as movies, I haven’t seen very many recently but Forrest Gump was on the TV the other day and it just blew my mind how great that movie is.

Finally, if you had the power and could change one thing happening in the world, what would it be?

Yikes, thats a really rough question. In all honesty I think I would like to find a way to help people become more open minded. I feel like if we could all just take time to try and find some common ground with each other then we wouldn’t have as many problems as we do now.