Meet our DJs!
emma
host of back east
WED 1 – 2pm ✱ Programming since 2023
Hiya! My name is Emma and I’m a 4th year student at UCSB pursuing a BA in Global Studies. I’ve been programming since Winter 2023 and am now the KJUC Program Director (best job ever)!
As a New Jersey native, “back east” is an ode to my home. Every week I choose a different genre or era of music and highlight artists from the east coast, sharing history and fun facts along the way. I hope you enjoy listening to this show as much as I enjoy planning and hosting it! 😉
P.S. My awesome headshot was taken by @moneyshotsiv on Instagram!
FUN FACT: I have a tattoo of New Jersey!
DJ Thelma & DJ Louise
hosts of Friendship Station
TUES 8 – 9pm ✱ Programming since 2024
DJ Thelma: Hi I’m Kelly (DJ Thelma) and one of the co-hosts of Friendship Station! I’m a second year English major from LA and I’m stoked to be involved with KCSB for a second school year! I love journalism, collecting vintage dresses and trinkets, eating soup, listening to Sloppy Jane and bar italia (among others lol), and being involved with this awesome station !!
DJ Louise: I’m DJ Louise, or Katie, and I’m a second year art and philosophy double major from LA. I have been a music lover since the first time I heard a really cool chord progression as a kid in church and thought I was seeing god. In my free time, I can often be found reading old and russian things, gardening with my mom, and making art. I love KCSB and am so excited to be working with the station again!!
parker
host of Slow Daze
FRI 12 – 1pm
I’m a second year UCSB student from northern California, and I love searching for strange and intriguing bands and songs to share (shoutout to my dad for putting me onto music when I was little). Outside of music, I like skateboarding and writing 🙂 I <3 KCSB 🧙♂️
DJ Average Joe
host of A Cup of Joe
WED 4 – 5pm ✱ Programming since 2024
Hello, my name is Joseph but a lot of people call me Joe. I’m a third year Linguistics major with a Speech Language and Disorders emphasis and this is second year programming on KCSB. My show a Cup of Joe (hey that rhymes!) focuses on progressive and experimental music across the world and throughout the years. I’m a big nerd for music that blends genres together and pushes musical boundaries which it is what I like to highlight with that I choose to play. I rotate genres and themes every week and play wide variety of music, spanning from classic prog rock to indie rock, post-hardcore/rock, jazz rock, krautrock, indietronica, and shoegaze. I’m always looking for new music to showcase every week so if you’re interested, grab a cup of brew and tune in on KCSB FM! 😀
Suraya
host of Beats & Roots: The Hip Hop Chronicles
WED 2 – 3am
Hey everyone, I’m Suraya and I am from Los Angeles California. I love all genres of music but find Hip Hop to be more interesting given its cultural and historical background within the LA area. For fun I enjoy reading, writing, and of course listening to music!
liam h
host of Beat Generation
MON 3 – 4pm
Hi, I’m Liam, and I’m a fourth year Mathematics major at UCSB. On my show Beat Generation, I focus on tracing the chain of influence of experimental and avant-garde music through the decades. Ranging from folk traditions to the current cutting edge, every week I put together a collection of works with some connective element between them, whether that be a style, instrument, influence, or technique.
Nouvela Cellophane
host of Hardcore Nardcore
MON 11pm – 12am
Heyyyy it’s Nouvela I have a show called Hardcore Nardcore. I grew up in Oxnard, CA and I deeply care about the past and present history of music in Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Tune in to my show as I dive into the hardcore, punk, and etc. music of Ventura and Santa Barbara County. NARDCORE 4 EVER!!!
Bryan D. Brown
host of The Return of CoolMojo
SAT 4 – 6pm
So many, many moons ago, before I became a boring Long Island suburbanite, I lived in Santa Barbara, and I was also the Chief Engineer and a programmer at KCSB-FM. In June of 2020, when the COVID quarantine was in full effect, KCSB reached out to alumni programmers and a number of us virtually returned to produce programming from afar and to once again be a part of the KCSB and Santa Barbara community. Hence, The Return of CoolMojo was born. Life, man – it’s strange.
DJ ashbee
host of Secondhand Sounds
THUS 2 – 4pm
When I arrived in Santa Barbara in 2008, I knew that I found a home in KCSB, my favorite independent community radio station in all the land. I currently record my show from Austin, TX, where I pine every day for the Pacific Ocean. My show highlights artists within the genres of soul/R&B/funk, such as Jamaican soul, psychedelic funk, Chicano soul, Arab funk, underground doo-wop, obscure girl groups, deep funk, afro funk, high school stage bands, and pioneering female-fronted soul. The show is structured to intentionally highlight the stories and contributions of women and BIPOC artists within these genres.
Mel Rolls & Liv Smokes
hosts of Off the Record
MON 1 – 2am
We’re two girls from Northern California with a shared passion for live music and that indescribable connection it creates within our community. There’s something magical about how alternative and non-commercial music brings people together, and we live for that energy. Whether we’re attending festivals, catching local band shows, or playing our own instruments, we’re always on the hunt for the newest hidden treasure in a world full of noise. Music is more than just sound to us—it’s a way to connect, feel, and create something bigger than ourselves.
Aris
host of Hidden House Gems
MON 9 – 10pm
DJ and guitarist hailing from sunny Boston. I like to surf and I like to live. House music is the best dance music.
earth2moni
co-host of psyched!
TUES 7 – 8pm ✱ Programming since 2024
Hi! I’m Monica Gonzalez. I am currently a third year at UCSB, majoring in Psych! I fell in love with KCSB my freshmen year and started programming Spring ‘24. My show gives me an excuse to talk and talk and talk some more. I also love finding weird music and forcing my friends to listen :p, which is now basically anyone who is tuning in!
My co host, flyvalleygirl and I, explore different underrepresented areas and genres of music. It’s super easy to find a genre like twee and shoegaze but only focus on the western music produced. We aim to talk about the cultural context and musical movements behind all new and old artists.
flyvalleygirl
co-host of psyched!
WED 4 – 5pm ✱ Programming since 2024
Hi! I’m Maddie Ha and I’m a third year biopsych major at UCSB <3 I’ve been programming with KCSB since spring ‘24 and super excited to continue! I’m from the valley, hence my DJ name: flyvalleygirl! When I’m not DJing under this alias I’m probably doing physics homework My co-host Monica and I have an eclectic show called psyched! where we play music from underrepresented areas and genres. We love to talk about the cultural context of your favorite musical movements. If your taste in music is all over the place, or you’re just looking for some new songs, you’ll probably love tuning in!
DJ lilyolily
host of Quantum Beat
FRI 11p – 12am
I am super excited to be at KCSB! It truly is my favorite spot on campus. I love music, whether listening to it, playing it, or yapping about it, and want to bring you the best, freshest, most exciting rock music I can find!! Music is a huge part of who I am, so frequenting band shows and practicing drums are what you will usually find me doing. I also love sci-fi and am a nerd for silly old TV shows (especially old, silly, AND sci-fi shows like Star Trek, X Files, and Quantum Leap), hence why my show title is Quantum Beat. Not because I’m a physics major or anything….(which I totally am though). ;P
FUN FACT: I met Paul Stanley in a Joann’s fabric store
Snoozer
host of KCSB Connections
SAT 6 – 7pm ✱ Programming since 2024
I started going to music committee spring of my freshman year, and I instantly adored the culture of KCSB. I love learning about new music and sharing my favorites to anyone that will listen! Being a DJ is like one of my ultimate dreams in life and I’m so happy that I can accomplish that with KCSB 🙂
DJ noradoesntfly
host of breadcrumbs
FRI 2 – 3pm ✱ Programming since 2024
come explore different genres with me on kcsb! you never know what you might find me playing, so take a listen and see!
DJ Tbird
host of Protest Songs of Peace
WED 3 – 4am
DJ Tbird is a songwriter and a PhD student in the Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese. Hailing from Austin, TX, he studies how songwriters affect social movements.
Marley Jay
host of L!V3!R!3
WED 6 – 7am
Born I.E. native, Rialto dread; occasional resident of Santa Barbara and california local travalah. Marley Jay actively floats, both locally and internationally, following the music an vibes of collective. With a concentration in reggae, dancehall, dub, jahwaiian, roots rock, and other island stylings, along with an authentic twist.
DJ Poppy
host of Wildflower Radio
MON 8 – 9pm
I’m a 4th year transfer student at UCSB, excited to begin programming in person this fall after spending the summer making remote shows from back home in Carmel, CA. I grew up listening to our friends at KZSC in Santa Cruz and as a kid loved to call in to the local private high school’s radio station to make requests. I love making playlists each week for my show, listening to my fellow KCSB DJ’s shows and discovering music that might not be ‘new’ but is new to me!
Solene
host of Fruit Preserves
MON 2 – 3am
Hey I’m Solene! It’s my last year here at UCSB and I wanna keep sharing my love of music with you all! From a huge range of genres, Fruit Preserves is a medley of jams that gives fresh tunes every week. Enjoy!
Stellaaa
host of State of Sound
MON 2 – 3pm
Bringing you rock from Isla Vista and beyond!
El Profe Urbano Montez
host of Raza World Visions Cultural Arts and Public Affairs Show
SAT 1 – 2am
DJ and Host El Profe Urbano Montez es un bato del barrio Magnolia in Houston, Tejas, now working as an educator in Califas. His style is TexMex polka meets punk with lots of world riffs thrown in, mostly from Latin America, and a Harley Fatboy rumbling ‘cause he’s always on the run.
Clarissa
host of Backyard Bash
THURS 9 – 10pm
I graduated from UCSB in Spring 2024 and now live and work in Santa Barbara. I started hosting my rock-themed show, Backyard Bash, in the Fall of 2022. I loved that my show got to bring back live studio performances to the station. During my time as a programmer, I’ve hosted numerous local bands, interviewed talented musicians, and even started doing my own jam sessions with friends on air. My show theme and title pay homage to the greatest video game of all time (Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock). The title “Backyard Bash” has a double meaning. On the one hand, it’s the name of my favorite venue in Guitar Hero which consists of a simple wooden stage, DIY band poster, and a small scattered crowd cheering on the band. On the other hand, the venue also greatly resembles Isla Vista house shows. It’s quite comedic how similar they are.
In my show, I guide listeners through the ever-expansive genre of rock, particularly through a lens of underrepresented immensely talented artists. So I encourage you to tune in if that’s your jam. When I’m not hosting, I can be found at a cafe sipping an iced matcha, taking long walks wherever my feet take me, or playing my bass. Or occasionally napping, too.
Sans Nom
host of The Blacklight Special
SUN 10pm – 12am
Sans Nom is a DJ with 20 years of experience, and specializes in the deeper sounds of electronic music.
DJ Cringe
host of Internet Excess
TUES 1 – 2am
Hey everyone! I’m DJ Cringe, and I’m a recent (’24) graduate from UCSB! I started my KCSB show, Internet Excess, in April 2022, and after 2.5 years, I’m thrilled to say that I’m still on the airwaves!
I’m fascinated by the intersection of the internet, music, and the cultural zeitgeist. As such, I describe Internet Excess as a maximalist Hi-Fi, Wi-Fi production, a broadcast for the age of broadband, an airing of the underbelly of the internet. I play music that could only exist in our era of sensory overload and maximalist technological excess: songs that use glitchy synths and metallic beats to sound like they’re being beamed in from hyperspace.
Beyond being a grounding presence in my life, this show has been my primary creative outlet and passion project, and is one of my proudest achievements.
Besides my radio show, I’ve also learned how to DJ (on actual CDJ’s!) during my time here, and have recently begun DJing gigs IRL!
Outside of music, during my time at UCSB I was a member of Poets’ Club, YDSA, and the Sins of the Flesh Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast (I played Magenta in W23, Eddie/Dr. Scott in S23, and Riff-Raff in F23)!
If you want online ACCESS to Internet EXCESS, click here: linktr.ee/internetexcess
Thanks for listening! Stay Cringy!
Ashkan & DJ Acronym
host of Two Old Guys Playing Metal
FRI 12 – 2am
Just two (too?) random older guys who really enjoy the best music on Earth.
Will Bacaj
host of Welcome to Xanadu
MON 7 – 8am
Host of Welcome to Xanadu. Going across the eras, genres and borders to bring you aural excellence since 2022.
805 Mad Hatter
host of Jus’ Good Music
THURS 1 – 3am ✱ Programming since 2018
I have been with KCSB way before and returned and been here 4 to 5 years and no slowing me down got so much content and love to the music that I got to show the radiowaves
My show plays all music all reggae and lyrical hip hop, oldies, old school, neo soul, and so much more, we don’t play that stuff on others radio stations!!
FUN FACT: I am father of 4 and husband to the most beautiful women in the world! I love music and concerts!
D-Tragic
host of Word on the Streets Radio
WED 10pm – 12am ✱ Programming since 2007
I started DJing at age 16. I would visit KCSB on the weekends. I would play at Shows ‘ and Private events at a young age. I went on to promoting underground hip hop shows in the 805 area at local nightclubs. I became a DJ at KCSB FM in 2007, and now serve my community as a resource for local musicians, artists and Dj’s to be able to get their talents heard via our show “Word on the Streets Radio” on a weekly basis. Tune in Wednesday Nights at 10pm!!
I started the show word on the streets radio in 2007 being inspired by a DJ that played on KCSB in 1990 named DJ T Stone. T-Stone provided us a place to be able to showcase our talents as young artists in the 805 area on his show. Today I carry on the tradition that T-Stone and other Dj’s throughout the year have done by contributing to the local hip hop scene and supporting our areas artists and artists From beyond!
FUN FACT: I started a website called 805HipHop.Com in 96 to show support to independent artists from the 805 area that came a major resource for Hip-Hop artists in the 805 Area before social media.
Facebook / Instagram / www.805hiphop.com
D, Z and Little J
hosts of The Better Way Gospel Hour
SUN 8 – 10am ✱ Programming since 2005
When Little J was 7 years old, D brought him to help “operate the board” for Brother Matthew Brown on Sunday mornings. Both were struck by this amazing man who started Santa Barbara’s first black barber shops, promoted gospel bands and had run gospel radio shows across CA. He had great stories (like Sam Cooke driving through LA, or gospel bands crashing at his parents’ house), and a love for Jesus and caring for those in need. For one year, Brother Brown, D, Z and Little J co-hosted the Better Way Gospel Hour, before Brother Brown’s passing in November 2017.
The Better Way Gospel Hour, started by Brother Matthew Brown in the 1980’s, continues to bring gospel music to the central coast with D, Z and Little J. Pastors Bill and Bernadette Johnson from Providence 1st African Methodist Episcopal (AME), and St. Philip AME have called in weekly for about a decade, with a Sunday morning Teaching. The enormous variety of Christian musicians is highlighted, from the original old acapella gospel and modern choir gospel, to the many Isla Vista local musicians and modern music from around the country and world—all proclaiming the “good news.”
FUN FACT: My first radio show was at WIQH “Why I Quit Highschool” in Concord, MA in high school.
DJ Biff
host of Planned Spontaneity
TUES 2 – 4pm ✱ Programming since 1994
I grew up in Goleta, started listening to KCSB in 1967. You could call in and request a song that you couldn’t here on regular radio! Been listening ever since.
On my show I play a little of this, a little of that, and then some. My show is divided up into three segments, and each segment there is a theme, be it Surf, R&B, Soul, World Music, Ska, Down Tempo Electronica, to name a few. But I kinda specialize in mid to late 60’s era, because I’m old (ish) My voice has been honed from a life of gin and cigarettes……;)
FUN FACT: I’ve had the same car for 41 years. A 63 Chevy
djkrusty007@hotmail.com // instagram: @sir_robbo_of_cabo
DJ Darla Bea
host of ROCK IT PROPERLY
SUN 8 – 10pm ✱ Programming since 2007
I am Winner of the “Best Event DJ in Santa Barbara” Award 9 years in a row! I’m Born & Raised in Santa Barbara, CA, and a Graduate of UCSB 2003 in History of Art & Architecture. I first started listening to KCSB-FM in high school during the mid to late 1990’s and tuning into shows like Ska La Carte with host Adam Korn. This is my 17th year broadcasting my weekly radio show on KCSB-FM and it’s still the most fun ever!! I love being on the mic and taking calls from locals but most of all sharing music and Darlapedia factoids on air.
“ROCK IT PROPERLY” is a saying from Jack Black during an outtake of the School of Rock movie while the band were practicing playing music. It encompasses my shows eclecticism as whatever theme, genre or music I’m focusing on it has to “rock” it properly – not necessarily rock music per se. From Afrobeat to Zydeco from ABBA to Zappa. I have special voice recordings that I personally collected from Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Dr. Demento, Nardwuar, Michael McDonald, Jeff Bridges, Dr. Drew, The B-52s, English Beat and Of Montreal that I play throughout my show. My show is like the movie the School of Rock – a 2-hour class through your radio or listening device where gold stars are given for class participation. My ‘students’ are quite dedicated, having had listeners for the past 15 years stay tuned in.
FUN FACT: I started tape-recording myself at age 3 doing using a portable cassette player. My father went to radio broadcasting school. My mom’s maiden name translates to one who plays music = Muzikar!
Instagram @darlabea / Facebook @djdarlabea + FB Group “ROCK IT PROPERLY” / djdarlabea.com
Dj Gryphn
host of Smiley Smile
SAT 9 – 10pm ✱ Programming since 1991
My career as Dj Gryphn started in London during the first electro wave of the early 80’s, playing in underground clubs while also hosting my own weekly , Club Boy. Also responsible for compiling weekly underground dance floor charts for New Musical Express , a weekly international music publication.I later moved into a more avant-garde mixing at the birth of the Industrial scene at the notorious Iron Orchid club, while also being head of promotions at Recommended Records. At the birth of House music I finally found a long time home as House music summarised my entire history of deep listening. To this day I, Gryphn , have not stop playing vinyl . Often searching out vinyl only releases , white labels , unknown artist releases. I am a true digger and have been Dj amongst underground scenes for 40 years. All my shows are presented with vinyl!
All vinyl continuous mix show. With a main focus on underground house music from every corner of the globe. Hard to find, vinyl only releases, white labels, unknown artists and limited edition releases.
FUN FACT: Born in the year of the rabbit
Soundcloud / Instagram @stevengryphnhorwood
DJ Jill and DJ Mike
hosts of The Old Millennials
FRI 10 – 11am ✱ Programming since 2022
We joined KCSB in 2022 as a curious couple wanting to expand our media knowledge into radio. After getting through the KJUC program, we were stoked to join as Community Programmers and get the opportunity to bring our goofy married selves to the airwaves, and discover (and share) some awesome music along the way.
The Old Millennials is a PA/CA show hosted by Jill and Mike, a couple of creatives who grew up in the ’90s alongside the Internet, and are curious about how technology and trends from that era have shaped the modern world. Between 3-7 minute narrative mic breaks — a mix of silly nostalgia and serious analysis of current events — Jill and Mike curate a selection of global ’90s underground dance music that is thematically linked to the topic of the day.
FUN FACT: We make visual art too! Jill is a painter and Mike an illustrator.
DJ LoLo
host of Los Elegidos Radio Show
SUN 7 – 8am ✱ Programming since 1994
I started on KJUC during the summer of 1993, 1 quarter later I was on KCSB with a show titled God’s Rhythmic Anointed Poetry (gospel hiphop), then around 2004 the title of the show was changed to Reality HipHop – I left to be a missionary in Mexico during the spring of 2007, and have finally returned (remote programmer) as of January ’23 with spanish (gospel) hiphop . . .
Los Elegidos Radio is comprised of all spanish gospel hiphop coming from Mexico (where I live) and all other Latin America countries, featuring a lot of underground artists, and hosted by our youth group (Los Elegidos Bible Club) from Ensenada, other youth groups throughout the area, and some of the artists involved in gospel hiphop.
FUN FACT: My wife and I are missionaries living in Ensenada, Baja Norte, Mexico – it is such a blessing being back on KCSB!!!
Angel
host of Rock Latino
WED 6-8PM
I started this journey with KCSB in 1995. Latin Rock has been part of the Latin American culture since the 1950s. I felt that since I was a local DJ to the Santa Barbara area, I needed to encourage our community to learn more about this impactful genre of music.
DJ Turk
host of Netwatch
WED 2 – 3pm
Lifelong netrunner searching for the most preem old-net data relics from beyond the blackwall.
Grace Bones
host of House of Chic Radio
FRI 11pm – 12am ✱ Programming since 2020
James Hancock hails from the UK but now lives between LA and the UK. He has over 20 years experience as a professional music producer, ghost writer, remixer & DJ with over 120 releases, 250,000 physical records sold and 2 UK top 10 dance hits. As a DJ, James has extensive experience in creating a soundtrack that will suit virtually any crowd. His unique musical adaptability and sheer love of good music has allowed him to incorporate his passion with his work. As well as having various residences, James has DJ’ed at many of the top clubs in the UK and Europe including Fabric (London), Ministry Of Sound, Sonar (Barcelona), Printworks (London), Pacha (London), Eden (Ibiza) to name but a few. Festival appearances include Glastonbury, Lovebox,
Latitude, Cream and SW4.
House of Chic is 60 minutes of the freshest House music from around the globe with a guest DJ each week providing a 30 minute HOT mix.
FUN FACT: I have lived in 12 countries
Greg Drust
host of Country Kaleidoscope
THURS 11am – 12pm
My life’s work has been to collect, archive, study, and share American Roots Music. Continuity between generations is essential. Time can be used as a filter to sift out past mistakes. That’s true for all of society, as well as individuals. Culture, heritage and tradition can be preserved to give a person a sense of identity and belonging, and to hold on to the accomplishments of arts and science. I’m happy to “give back” to KCSB, which had been my radio home from 1972 until 1993. I was a founding member of the Santa Barbara Blues Society, and have remained active in many music support groups over the years. My broadcasts of diverse musical styles have been heard on FM, AM, and Internet Radio continuously since 1973. Since I now reside in Milwaukee, WI, I’ve been promoting the local regional European-American Folk Music: Polkas. It’s a joy to return to KCSB with a fresh radio series for all of my California friends, and friends-to-be.
Country Kaleidoscope is a 100 plus year history of Country Music. Various genres of country are explored, such as Honky Tonk, Blue Grass, Western Swing, Rockabilly, Old Timey, and Cajun. Some programs are thematic, while others provide a mix. None of this music is heard in the mainstream media. We honor accomplishments of artists from a bygone era, while promoting those who are keeping the traditions alive today.
Lietoc
host of Lietoc’s Demands Remain Unwritten
SUN 6 – 8pm ✱ Programming since 2019 ✱ ♉
After several years of sitting on the fence, Lietoc joined KCSB in Winter 2k19. They somehow became Internal Music Director between the 2019-2020 school year. During that time, they also built a tape collection and started moving their nose towards documenting new DIY tape releases on Tabs Out. Additionally, Lietoc has been working with Thomas Moran since the end of 2020 in various capacities on TBD while pursuing a degree in Library Science
Lietoc’s Demands Remain Unwritten is the final successor program to a series of one quarter shows that changed names between 2019-2020. Faint echoes of lost futures, found within new n’ old pulpy tape music (from komische to private press dance and field recordings), reverb saturated bliss, and modernist and dadaist punk or noise excursions. All being channeled through label spotlights, yearly surveys, and non-canonical dives. And of course, the latest developments in the ubiquitous college rock marketplace of pastiche. Broadcast remotely, from Southern California.
FUN FACT: They are a “decent” ebay bid snipper
maya
host of enter the void
TUES 1 – 2pm ✱ Programming since 2023 ✱ ♏
hi!! my name is maya and I’m from venice beach. i’m a second year film & media and communications major. this is my first quarter programming at KCSB!! i’m super excited to be here, i’ve always had a passion for music which started with my dad’s cds and eventually evolved into my own huge record collection and playing drums ((:
kcsb allows me to combine my love for books and movies with my passion for music and just geek out. i talk about a couple new movies, tv shows, or books each show and connect them to the music i play to develop deeper understanding ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა
FUN FACT: im the biggest elliott smith fan ever ever
Nicoletta
host of Hardly Strictly Americana
SUN 10am – 12pm ✱ Programming since 2016 ✱ ♎️
I am a lesbian cat mom and musician with a lot of music on my hard drive and opinions about just every bit of music I comes across. Before coming to UCSB, I programmed at KSPC in Claremont while in undergrad; I wanted to continue doing radio once I came here, and after being in KJUC during Winter 2016 I started doing Hardly Strictly Americana the quarter after. I have been a graduate student and subsequently a lecturer at UCSB, but I have kept my show going during all of that time because collecting the music, putting it together, and playing it on air is just too much fun. Outside of music and spending time with my cat, I enjoy gardening and hiking, and presently work for the National Park Service.
As the name implies, “Hardly Strictly Americana” draws upon a base of folk, bluegrass, and other genres under the “Americana” umbrella, but mixes that music up a fair bit. The show regularly features non-English language cuts, deep tracks, video game, anime, and movie soundtracks, and a lot of other stuff that complements the Americana well, but wouldn’t normally get played alongside it. In addition, the show includes a high percentage of non-white, non-male, and non-cishet performers.
FUN FACT: I’ve been to Antarctica! I originally came to UCSB for graduate school in Earth Science, and as part of my Master’s Degree I spent two months there collecting samples.
The SKAvenger & First Ska-fficer
hosts of SKA TREK
SAT 10 – 11pm ✱ Programming since 2012 & 2020 ✱ ♒ + ♉
I have been a programmer at KCSB since 2012. I’ve been hosting Ska Trek since 2020. Prior to that the show I hosted was called, Radio Xicana, where I focused on sharing underrepresented female vocalists from Latin America. The First Ska-fficer is the diligent second-in-command aboard the starship. Prior to Ska Trek, they hosted the international music show “Human Sounds” in 2021 before being chased off of planet Earth by the government. With our powers combined, we are SKA TREK.
SKA TREK is a work of fiction inspired by Star Trek: The Original Series. Every week we travel to a new planet looking for the best ska to deliver to you. Our goal is to showcase the diversity and robustness of the genre, which includes but is not limited to ska, rocksteady, ska punk, ska jazz, roots, 2 tone, third-wave ska, skacore, and to feature many artists from different countries on planet Earth that push the genre in new and exciting directions. By the end of the show, you’ll surely be a skanking Trekkie!
FUN FACT: Ska’s not dead.
Steve S
host of Joyful Cosmos
MON 6 – 8pm ✱ Programming since 2002
1990 – 1996 “Eat Some Paste” on WRCT Pittsburgh. 2001 – KCSB News. 2002 – 2007 Several shows with varied formats at varied times on KCSB. 2008 to present, Joyful Cosmos, Monday evenings on KCSB.
Content: Music and sound constructions from artists and producers in various places and cultures. Selections frequently emphasize current dialogues amongst localized traditional musics, global music cultures, and contemporary sound making and recording processes. Creative improvised musics, electro-acoustic explorations, field recordings of traditional musics, electronica, noise.
Structure: Recordings live mixed for focused listening. Often the flow is smooth. On occasion, there will be turbulence. Each two hour segment contributes to ongoing radio broadcast of Earth-based sound making into the cosmos.
FUN FACT: My favorite vegetable is Radicchio.
Sunnyland Steve
host of Views of the Blues
Mon 12pm – 3pm ✱ Programming since 2007 ✱ ♉️
Sunnyland Steve has been a lover of blues music since his teenage years whose journey into the tradition began with exposure to Elvis Presley and exploration into Presley’s blues influences. He has been a board member of the Santa Barbara Blues Society, the oldest existing U.S. blues society (founded in March 1977) for over forty years, and is a contributing writer of articles and album reviews for two national blues magazines. He has been co-promoter and stage emcee for a myriad live blues performances locally, regionally, and nationally. He has hosted “Views of the Blues” on KCSB-FM since January 2007.
Blues music is an original American art form and the basis for rhythm-and-blues, rock-and-roll, hip hop, rap, and much of jazz and country music. ‘Views of the Blues’ presents the best in blues music in its historical context, including its provenance in west African and African American cultures.
FUN FACT: I grew up listening to and loving classical violin music
Thomas
host of TBD
SUN 24 – 6pm ✱ Programming since 2017 ✱ ♉️
I was a student programmer at KCSB starting in 2017 and worked on the KCSB Executive Committee until I graduated in 2019 and have been a volunteer community programmer ever since. It was at KCSB that I found community radio and DIY Music to be a huge passion of mine. DIY organizing is so important and it feels great to give back to our community via music.
Hi! I’m Thomas! I’m the host of TBD which airs every sunday 4-6pm! TBD is where i give a wide range of DIY Musicians and artists spanning all different genres, backgrounds and scenes a space to be heard outside of their local scene. I try to host live performances and interviews every week.
FUN FACT: A rat is going to jump into your mouth. Do you prefer it jump headfirst or butt first and why?
Witch Doctor
host of American Roots Radio
SAT 9 – 11am ✱ Programming since 2016 ✱ ♐️
I’m a UCSB alum who’s totally obsessed with music. I began hosting my show, American Roots Radio, in 2016, and have fallen deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole ever since.
American Roots Radio is an historical overview of traditional American music from the twentieth century onward.
FUN FACT: I traveled extensively around Venezuela and started paragliding while there.
DJ Girlscout
host of Moshin’ Around
TUES 10 – 11pm ✱ Programming since 2023
DJ Girlscout presents Moshin’ Around, a show where you can tune in to hear punk (and DIY) that isn’t dead. When they aren’t listening to DIY hardcore and punk, DJ Girlscout likes to labor organize, create textile art, and yap nonstop.
Pat Cardenas
host of The Black Nag
SAT 11am – 1pm
I have been a programmer with KCSB since 1983. I am also a musician and play piano, guitar, banjo, lap dulcimer and Celtic harp.
Benjamin Sawyer
host of Orchestral Oasis
WED 11am – 1pm
Orchestral Oasis is a survey of Western classical music from the Medieval era through the contemporary.
Dick Flacks
host of Culture of Protest
THURS 4 – 5pm
This is the 42nd year Dick Flacks has hosted Culture of Protest. He’s emeritus prof of sociology at UCSB. His book PLAYING FOR CHANGE was inspired by what he’s learned about music and protest as a result of producing this show.
DJ Specimen
host of Disintegration
TUES 10 – 12pm
KCSB’s resident Goth
Ted Coe
host of The Freak Power Ticket
MON 11am – 12pm
“The Freak Power Ticket” began in 2002 after I had already put in well over a year at KCSB-FM working a full-time job (then, largely in charge of the station’s annual fund drive). I had briefly done college radio while an undergrad at a different institution and, when I started at KCSB, I was still in grad school at UCSB – studying English Lit – so I was excited to develop new ideas on the local airwaves.