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10 Questions with ... Christen Limon
July 25, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I still and always will love the connection made with listeners, which is the best part of being on air. I've shared that ALT 98.7 listeners are the best and I stand by it. They have such a deep-rooted passion for music which is the major connection we share. I especially love that when I pick up the request line, some of our loyal listeners start the convo with "hey Limon!" which is how all my friends greet me, love that my friend group is expanding!
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started as a phone screener for Mornings with Carson Daly on 97.1 AMP Radio and was eventually promoted to Assistant Producer in addition to becoming the Director of Content/Social Media for CD's nationally syndicated show "The Daly Download with Carson Daly." After 5 years doing mornings, I landed my first on air gig doing middays at KHTI Hot 103.9, an independently owned HAC station in San Bernardino. A year and a half later I was called back to AMP to do weekends/fill-in until landing the midday spot. Currently I am the Music Coordinator and night host on ALT 98.7.
1. Congrats on your recent promotion to Music Coordinator at ALT 98.7. Tell us about your new role.
One of my main new responsibilities is scheduling music for the station, there is so much detail that goes into it and I'm finally starting to feel like I have a good grasp on everything. I also help out with social media and am beginning to build relationships with labels and their artists which has been so fun, everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging.
2. The official announcement was back on May 1st and you said: "Becoming deeply involved in station programming has been a goal of mine for many years.. I can't thank Lisa Worden enough for her support, mentorship and trust in me as I take on the role of music coordinator for ALT 98.7. I am elated for this new chapter in my career and am equally excited as I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow in this incredible industry. My love for LA/SoCal and Alternative music knows no bounds, and I couldn't be more humbled and excited to represent my hometown on the ALT 98.7 airwaves and beyond." How does it feel to be moving up in your radio career in your hometown?
Surreal and rewarding. I feel like all my years of hard work and sacrifice are paying off in the greatest way. It's also really cool that my friends and family who have supported me from the beginning have been able to see my progress throughout the years.
3. I'm guessing it has been a crash course getting to know the alternative music community and take a little off of Lisa's plate?
1000%!! I received so many well wishes from so many people in the alternative community, it felt so great to be embraced by such a talented, great group of people. It really meant a lot that people who I never met in person reached out personally and introduced themselves. I've slowly been getting to meet people in person and it's been so fun, I will definitely be taking more meetings in the future and look forward to getting to know/meet everyone.
4. How do you sort through all the new music coming at you?
I take notes! I've always been an intense note taker. I get so many emails daily with so much incredible music and I listen to all of it and keep a list of everything.
5. Can you take us inside the ALT 98.7 Music Meeting and share process. What's it like?
We have music meetings with our on-air staff and try our best to meet biweekly. Lisa curates a list of all the new music that's coming and that we get sent, we listen to each song, share our thoughts and discuss what fits for the station. It's cool to get everyone's take on a song because we all have such a wide range of taste in music and as a group we collectively decide which song or songs get added to our playlist.
6. Tell us about ALT 98.7 New Music Discovery.
This is one of my favorite features that we do! It's such a great way to showcase bands that maybe our audience haven't been introduced to yet or a new song that just dropped from a band we know and love. New Music Discovery is also a great way to see how a song will sound in the mix with everything we play and to get the listeners thoughts on songs that are featured as well.
7. Last year you told me... "I am all about showcasing new music, in fact it's become one of my favorite bragging rights. I get to play the most new music at night and I love exposing new artists to our audience." Explain your night show and how you highlight all the new music.
This is still my favorite bragging right! Not only do I love playing new music from bands both new and familiar, I also give out tickets to see them as well. We've been spoiled with a surplus of amazing shows and I love the excitement listeners respond with after they've won tickets. I give as much info as possible about each new song/artist that I play and where/how listeners can discover more and always ask for feedback. It's helpful to know what listeners gravitate to musically and good for me to keep tabs on for future new music picks.
8. What is a typical day now like for you as Music Coordinator/Night Host?
Long! I handle all my Music Coordinator duties during the day, while simultaneously scanning news sites/social media in between for show prep, I have a quick dinner break then go straight to the studio for my night show.
9. Hosting 7-midnight on ALT 98.7 must make it challenging to get out to concerts. How often do you get to see live shows and what are some of your favorites so far this year?
It's definitely a challenge to get out to shows hosting nights but I get to as many as I can. Some of my favorite shows this year have been Lovejoy, Hozier, ALEXSUCKS and Momma.
10. What is your favorite part of your job?
I love being a part of both the front and back end of programming. I feel like I listen to the station with a new set of ears now knowing just how much work and detail goes into scheduling a music log. I still and always will love the connection made with listeners, which is the best part of being on air. I've shared that ALT 98.7 listeners are the best and I stand by it. They have such a deep-rooted passion for music which is the major connection we share. I especially love that when I pick up the request line, some of our loyal listeners start the convo with "hey Limon!" which is how all my friends greet me, love that my friend group is expanding!
BONUS QUESTIONS: Getting to know Christen ...10 Rapid Fire Fun Facts.
You recently had some big personal news. Please share.
Yes! I got married in Valle de Guadalupe, a day that was 10 years in the making and made extra special by all our favorite people who made the trip to celebrate with us!
Hobbies?
Collecting vinyl, cooking, reading, and making playlists.
Favorite Weekend?
Any weekend at my Tio Joe's house which usually involves BBQing and hanging with the whole fam. AND the weekend my family makes tamales for the holidays, usually the first or second weekend in December.
Favorite places to go in L.A.?
Benny Boy, Highland Park Brewery, L.A. State Park, Chavez Ravine, Arts District and DTLA
Favorite Restaurant?
Wurstkuche, Sugarfish, Yang Chow, Granada's, Bacari, and The Heights.
Favorite Food?
My mom's mole con pollo, carne en su jugo and aguas chiles
Favorite Beverage?
Iced coffee, red wine, and sparkling water (with and without tequila)
Favorite Sports Team Lakers Or Dodgers?
BOTH
Favorite New Band?
Tkay Maidza & Lovejoy
Biggest Mentors?
Chris Booker, Yesi Ortiz, Carson Daly, and Lisa Worden
Anything else you would like to share?
Much love and respect to everyone in the radio industry, it is not for the weak and the hard work that goes into what everyone does on the daily doesn't go unrecognized and is greatly appreciated.
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