10 Questions with ... Momo

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Hellooooo! I’m Momo, the weeknight host on 101X! I started part-time on the station, did some time over on our sister station ACL Radio, and graduated to weeknights on 101X this past February. I’m also the new host on our new music show, Xposure.

1.  How did you become interested in radio?

So, I’m a first generation American with parents who were immigrants. I didn’t grow up listening to a ton of American music because my family didn’t speak much English. So y’know, as school came along, I picked up the language and started listening to the radio. I’d say in high school I really got into listening to the radio, not only for the music, but I also thought it was awesome they would have opportunities at stations for fans to come and see artists.

2.  How did you get started at 101X and what led to you being upped to nights earlier this year? 

I got started here because I was a fan! I listened to the station and would go to events. After college I started part-time in our Promotions department… which led to starting my super glamorous Saturday night 10pm-2am shift on 101X (don’t get me wrong, I loved it very much.) A few gold stars and happy tears later, I work full-time in Promotions and have taken over weeknights here on 101X after Trevin switched over to our sister station.

3.  You recently were appointed the new host of “Xposure” on Sunday nights. How does that feel? on101X?

It feels AWESOME. If there was any specialty show baton that would be passed on to me, I am so happy it’s this one.

4.  Tell us about “Xposure” show and how you put together the weekly playlist.

The charm about working weeknights on any station is the freedom to throw in more new music. With Xposure, I get to take that to the extreme and share what I really, really am loving. Stuff that might be a little more “out there” that would not particularly be in regular rotation. Being new to this, I’ve gotten loooots of emails with new music… which is super freaking awesome because I listen to everything that comes across my inbox. I pick my favorites and then check and see what bands that I’m already into are up to/who’s dropping albums etc. And then guess what happens? I pick my faves from that batch and there’s Xposure!

5.  Let’s talk about nights on 101X. How would you describe your on-air style and show from 7p-midnight?

Let’s use three words, yeah? Yeah, is not one of them. Local, new and relatable. I love Austin and want to keep listeners engaged and informed with what’s going on the city. Like I mentioned before, there’s tons of new music in my weeknight shift, so it’s really refreshing to listen to. I say relatable too ‘cause I’m proud of being a woman and person of color on the radio. I’m south Asian and it can definitely be more rare to see (or should I say hear?) them on the radio. It’s nice to know that I can be someone who listeners who don’t particularly fit the target demo can relate to.

6.  What is your show prep routine?

I meditate before every show to get in the zone… jk I’m not that cool. I think I have an upper hand when it comes to being in the loop with what all is going on with the station since I work in Promotions as well. I, like many, take to social media for most of my show prep.

7.  What do you love most about being on-air?

Meeting listeners and being able to host amazing events is probably my favorite part. It’s what got me wanting to work in radio in the first place. Getting to see their faces light up when their favorite artists when they get to interact with their favorite artists, and knowing I played a role in making that happen, warms my soul.

8.  Who is your favorite on-air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

I grew up listening to Kidd Kraddick so he will always have a place in my heart. Hmmm… probably Nick Grimshaw. Although, I don’t listen to him too much anymore (kinda tiny bit busy keeping up with all of our Waterloo stations) he would ALWAYS put a smile on my face. I’d stay up and listen to him in the middle of the night here when he was still doing Radio 1 Breakfast.

9.  What would surprise people most about you?

People are always shocked when they find out most of my music taste leans towards Indie/Alt. They hear the way I talk sometimes and just assume that I’m Top 40 only… but who doesn’t love a good pop song? Also, really quick… people are shocked at how much I curse. I definitely had to be dumped a few times on our morning show.

10.  Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Headphones and lip balm. Yeah.

What are weekends like for you?

I try to do as little as possible, but it usually ends up being the opposite. I love live music and happy that’s becoming a thing again! I also love to go and sit at a restaurant with my friends and have a conversation that lasts way the hell longer than it should. I also like a good treat yo’ self-moment with a massage or pedicure.

What are your favorite places to eat in Austin?

There’s a South Indian restaurant Sangam in North Austin that is fantastic, super authentic.

Do you like sports? Rank your sports teams in order of passion.

Yikes.

First record ever purchased?

Probs some boyband.

First concert?

I don’t know if this was a thing everywhere, but Six Flags used to have artists come through so I’m pretty sure one of those shows was my first concert. Now the first concert I actually sought out and bought tickets to (when I was finally able to go one… strict Indian parents) was when Cash Cash (back when they were a band) played the White Rabbit in San Antonio. NGL, that venue was scary for a middle school kid. It’s re-opened now under the name “Paper Tiger” and is totally revamped, but I’ll always remember it as the White Rabbit.

Favorite band of all-time?

Panic! At The Disco. Hands down. They’ve been my favorite for over a decade… seen them live an obscene amount of times. Have a “Vices & Virtues” tattoo as well.

Favorite new band over the past year?

Not a band, but an artist I found over quarantine called Mantaraybryn. There’s this song called “Honey” that I must have listened to a million times during quarantine.