Zaina and Chiamaka

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

We’ve been involved with the station for over a year now. I heard about the station through a mutual friend and our past MD, Snazzy Bazzy, who gave me a tour and told me to apply to DJ and the rest is history! (Chiamaka).

I heard about the station through my cousin who also knew Bazzy. He got me an application, I applied, and now I’m where I am today! (Zaina).

What advice can you offer other MDs as the best way to get their DJs to play the new music your station receives and how you get your on-air staff to play the new music you receive.

I would say the best way to get new music on air would be to give specific recommendations to the DJs based on what you know about their tastes and interests. I would also recommend having a central organized space for new music. (C).

Know your DJs! Ask about what music they like and know what they play so you can get an idea of what you can recommend to them. (Z).

What is the part of your job you love the most?

My favorite part of the job is receiving physical copies of new music. With everything being virtual for so long, it is nice to be in the office and be able to touch and feel artwork while listening to the music that accompanies it. I get to have a more tangible musical experience. (C).

My favorite part of the job is hearing new music every week. I feel like I can get stuck in a music vacuum of listening to the same thing for a while, so I like being exposed to new songs and bands; it helps me stay expanding my music taste. (Z).

What has been your favorite album released this year?

My favorite album release of this year would be SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo. (C).

My favorite album released this year is HARDCORE HEAVEN by Alice Gas. (Z).

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

I never get tired of listening to alt-j. (C)

I can never get tired of listening to Sisters of Mercy. (Z).

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 beginning to happen? If so, how was it seeing live music again?

I actually got to see Earl Sweatshirt late September which was really fun. I felt really connected to the music and to the people around me dancing, which was a really exciting experience and made me even more excited to go to more live shows! (C)

I saw blackwinterwells back in August, and their performance was incredible. They really paid attention to the energy of the crowd and delivered a killer vocal performance their entire set. I’ve gone to several live shows now that tours are happening. I’ve seen Alice Gas three times in the past few months and many local acts perform in my area which has been exciting. I’m definitely looking forward to attending more shows and concerts. (Z).

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

I think Olivia Rodrigo might be an artist that surprises people, only because most people know I have a really diverse taste in music but I am usually very intolerant of pop music. Her album SOUR that came out this year is just banger after banger! It’s so relatable and emotional and it just makes me feel so heard. (C).

A lot of people are surprised to find out that I listen to Gucci Mane. I love his albums from the early 2010s. The beats never disappoint, and his lyrics are witty and always flow well. (Z).

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

If I could change one thing in the world, it would be poverty. I’d make it to where everyone in the world feels stable, secure, and that their needs are met. (C).

If I could change one thing in the world right now, it would be the climate crisis. I don’t think it’s being treated as a priority in our governments, and I would want more immediate action to be taken rather than just sitting and letting our Earth die. (Z).

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

I think the event that has shaped me the most as a person has been getting closer to my mom over the past 2 years. (C).

I feel like I can’t pinpoint just one event, but switching my major from plant biology to art has allowed me to pursue my number one passion and has made me more involved in building my community’s art scene. (Z).

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

I would most like to visit the early 90s and witness if not contribute to the rise of hip hop in popular culture. (C).

I would love to go back to the 60s/70s to experience the classic psychedelic rock musicians of that era and their performances. (Z).

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

I love Ono Hawaiian BBQ (C).

I love Borreguitas in Pomona. It’s super delicious and affordable vegan Mexican food. (Z).

What in your life brings you the most joy?

I find joy in art, nature, and spending time with my friends and family. (C).

What brings me the most joy in life is being with my friends and meeting new people. I’m a bit of an extrovert, and so I love to socialize and connect with others. (Z).

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Cat (C & Z)
Morning Person or Night Owl? Mornings (C & Z)
City or Country? City (C) Country (Z)
Beach or Mountains? Mountains (C) Beach (Z)
Watch TV or Read A Book? Book (C & Z)
Sunny or Rainy? Sunny (C & Z)
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Restaurant (C) Home Cooked (Z)
Pants or Shorts? Pants (C & Z)
Warm or Cold drinks? Cold (C) Warm (Z)

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

I am currently watching Bob’s Burgers and I Think You Should Leave. These are both really funny shows that I know I can depend on if I want to laugh. (C).

The last movie I saw in theaters was Cruella. I loved the fashion design/references throughout the movie, and all the little plot twists. (Z).

With it being the holiday season, what is a favorite memory you have or what do you most look forward to about this time of year.

I’m really looking forward to the weather change, the decorations, and the general atmosphere of cheer and community well being that the holidays bring about. (C).

I look forward to spending more time with my friends and family and finding them the right gifts. I also look forward to the holiday dinners my mom cooks. (Z).