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10 Questions with ... Carlota
August 26, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 1992 K100/Porterville
- 1992-1993 KKDJ The Edge/Fresno
- 1993-1995 95.7 The Fox/Fresno
- 1995-1996 New Rock 104/Fresno
- 1996-1998 KRZR/Frenso
- 1999-2002-Xtreme Radio/Las Vegas
- 2002-current KOMP
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
K-100/Porterville, CA playing elevator versions of "Under My Thumb" and Barry Manilow favorites. My early influences were Dusty Street and Doug the Slug, both from KROQ.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it"?
I was a little eight-year-old sitting in the back of my dad's car when the DJ on the radio said, after playing Andy Gibbs "Everything," "There's Andy Gibb with I just want to be your underwear." I knew at that moment I wanted to be your underwear (and the voice that came out of that box in the car).
3) How long have you been at KOMP overall and have you been the Music Director for that entire time? Give us a timetable/history of your roles and job descriptions at the station.
I joined KOMP in March of 2002 part-time, then went full-time and middays in August of 2002. I became MD in 2004, I believe.
4) Being that KOMP is in such a tourist based market like Las Vegas, how much does the Strip mentality play into the type of music you play on KOMP, or is the radio station primarily programmed for the rockers in the suburbs?
We do not program to the tourist. We program to Vegas. If the tourist digs it, great. But we are a local radio station and we are a big part of the local community. We are Old School in many ways, and thinking of our market and only our market is about as old school as it gets.
5) KOMP seems to play a good balance of new rock mixed in with more of the classic/mainstream-based rock. When you listen to new music, approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video and chart position when determining the status of a record?
The biggest thing for us is does it sound good between the records we already play? Does it sound like KOMP? We don't care about chart position or how that song is working in Texas, or anywhere else. How does that song sound between Zeppelin and Godsmack? That's #1. Everything else is a distant second.
6) How much library music, if any, do you share with your sister Classic Rock station KXPT (97.1 The Point)?
I'm not really sure, but I'll go out on a limb here and say 20%?
7) What's your take on current Active Rock music? Is it as good as six months or a year ago, better, or about the same?
Active Rock, or Rock in General is lacking right now. Nothing is jumping out of the speakers and challenging me or anyone else. I find myself saying "meh, its okay" or "it flat-out sucks" a lot. Rock is in need of what I like to call "The Nirvana Moment." Rock needs a band to come out and kick everyone's ass, and change the landscape for the better. I'm waiting.
8) What are your three favorite artists or songs of this past year and why?
I love the new Royal Blood, all of it. They are one of the few bands as of late that I really enjoy. Seether always seems to save the (add) Day as well. I also dig the new Kongos "I'm Only Joking" record a lot. Nothing More also has an interesting and loud sound that I dig as well.
9) How much does KOMP use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to help enhance the overall listener experience? Do you have any unique social media ideas you can share with us?
We are just getting on that train, but so far so good. I don't want to share my idea until it's fully off the ground and mine!! LOL ... I'll share another time when it's all over the place.
10) What do you like to do for fun when you're not in radio mode?
I like to hang out with friends, shoot pool, go to all kinds of shows (not just rock), chill with my puppies and watch sports. Go Angels and Chiefs!!!
Bonus Questions
You're stuck on a deserted island and you only have five CDs with you. What are they?
- Simple Minds- Greatest Hits.
- Deftones- White Pony.
- Black Sabbath- Heaven and Hell.
- Tears for Fears- The Hurting.
- Any CD from a Led Zeppelin Box Set.
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