Andrea “Dre” Castillo

How did you first hear about KVNF? How long have you been involved there and when did you become MD?

My love for community radio started at a different station back in 2019 where I became a volunteer DJ. I eventually moved into the KVNF listening area in 2021 and knew I wanted to get involved before I had made the move. I trained to be a volunteer DJ and eventually a position opened up and I was able to get my foot in the door. I’ve been working at KVNF for 3 years now and I’ve been the MD for 1.5 years. It’s been a dream to be able to work in an industry I love and believe in.

Tell us about the duties of your job as MD and what part of it you love the most and what you find the most challenging.

At my station, I manage what goes into our music library and I also manage our volunteer DJs. I help make decisions about our programming and inform DJs of the new music that is making its way into our station.What I love the most about this job is of course, the music and having my finger on the pulse of what’s new. Discovering new sounds is so much fun. What I find the most challenging is that there is so much music and so little time. We are an open format station so we get so much of everything. I want to listen to it ALL but I know that’s impossible.

What is the process for reviewing new music and what sort of commitment does the station have to exposing your listeners to new releases?

I spend a lot of time reviewing what’s new during the week and weekend and I have volunteers who also help preview music that is specific to the music that they are more informed about/interested in. I inform our DJs of the new releases by sending an email out with a list of all the new releases. It is part of KVNF’s mission to introduce our listeners to new music and we try to incorporate music into a quarter of all of our music shows. Many of our DJs are passion

Who is an artist or band that you’ve discovered in the past year or so that has become one of your favorites? What is it about their music you love?

I have been obsessed with Saya Gray’s newest self titled album “SAYA”. She is someone I discovered this year and that album will probably make it to my top 10 of 2025. I am also

Do you have an all-time favorite artist or album you never get tired of listening to?

One of my favorite albums of all time is Maribou State’s Kingdoms in Colour.

What upcoming 2025 release are you most anticipating the release of?

I’m excited for so much. Sophia Kourtesis, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Brian Eno… I imagine there’s so much more I’m missing.

Who is an artist or band totally outside the realm of the music you play on KVNF that holds a special place in your heart?

The Black Angels and so many of the psych/stoner rock bands I listened to from 2010-2015. I definitely feel like so much of that music shaped my early 20’s before I got into electronic music. So much music represents the eras of our life and listening to it feels like stepping in a time machine.

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

Colonizer/racist mentality

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

Uprooting my life at 24 years old and moving from California to Colorado with no plan. It was the best decision I ever made and I am so glad I did. I think my life would have been so different had I stayed in Southern California.

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

Probably the 70’s. I love the funk era so much and I love to dance. I feel like it would be so much fun to see the music scene and go to clubs during that time.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in town that you’d recommend people try if they are ever there?

Best Slope Pizza – it is some of the best pizza you will ever have hands down. Slow fermented sourdough and all of the pizza names are inspired by rap songs. It’s gourmet pizza that doesn’t overdo itself.

What in your life brings you the most joy?

Friendship, live music, dancing and being on the river.

Lightning Round:

Dog or Cat? Dog
Morning Person or Night Owl? Night owl
City or Country? City
Beach or Mountains? Beach
Watch TV or Read A Book? TV
Sunny or Rainy? Sunny
Restaurant or Home Cooking? Home Cooking
Pants or Shorts? Pants
Warm or Cold drinks? Cold

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?

Severance has me hooked! I watched the movie The Anatomy of a Fall not too long ago and that movie has been the best I’ve seen in a long time. Loved it.

Finally, If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?

Money lol