Over the last decade we’ve been lucky enough to have some stellar interns at KUTX. They love music, they love community-supported public radio, and we love them. But where are they now you ask? Let’s meet five former KUTX interns who found their footing at KUTX and are now absolute pros in the music and entertainment industry.
Rachel Rascoe – Austin Chronicle Music Editor
When were you an intern at KUTX?
I was a multimedia intern at KUTX in spring 2017. I loved hiding out in the little video editing room between classes, and experiencing Deidre Gott’s bookings in Studio 1A taught me a ton about Austin music.
Where/What were you studying?
I was studying journalism and biology at UT.
What is your favorite memory of working at KUTX?
Definitely South by Southwest, which was a crash course in how intense it is to work in media during the fest. Our boss Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon went extremely hard and had us film bands playing in the parking lot under I-35, along Waller Creek, and at his very cool house on the Eastside. Of course this was all after taking the bus downtown at 6am to shoot the KUTX Live at the Four Seasons morning broadcasts.
What are you doing now?
I am the music editor at the Austin Chronicle.
Do you have a favorite show on KUTX?
It’s too hard to pick! I love The Breaks and Soundfounder. I’ve also loved watching Taylor Wallace take over the morning show, which I wrote about for the Chronicle at the time.
Who is your favorite Austin artist?
If I’m doing my job well, I think it changes every week. My easy answer is Hovvdy, the band that really got me interested in local music. During college, I met my boyfriend right before a Hovvdy show.
Annie Lyons – Entertainment Journalist
When were you an intern at KUTX?
January – December 2020
Where/What were you studying?
I was studying Journalism/Plan II Honors at UT Austin.
What is your favorite memory of working at KUTX?
During the beautiful but brief time that I was an intern before the pandemic started and the majority of the team went remote, I really enjoyed whenever my shifts coincided with a Studio 1A recording. There was always an infectious energy in the station on those days and I loved being introduced to a wide range of great artists that I might’ve not learned about otherwise.
What are you doing now?
I’m an entertainment journalist covering film/television for outlets such as Letterboxd, Variety, and Metacritic.
Do you have a favorite show on KUTX?
My KUTX!
Who is your favorite Austin artist?
The impossible question! Right now, I’m loving the new Being Dead and Quiet Light albums.
Ryan Wen- KUTX Host & Resident
When were you an intern at KUTX?
Officially, Spring 2016, but I kinda loitered around through that summer and pestered them for more work.
Where/What were you studying?
I was working on my Masters in Media Studies in the University of Texas’ RTF department with a focus on public radio.
What is your favorite memory of working at KUTX?
Man, that’s hard! Probably when I was in the same room as Johnny Marr. It was surreal, and he may have been subjected to some unhinged babbling about how formative the Smiths were for me. Despite that, he was incredibly kind, and even agreed to take a picture with me! Or Khruangbin performing “White Gloves” in Studio 1A. It was beautiful and I straight up cried a little.
What are you doing now?
Still loitering around KUTX.
Do you have a favorite show on KUTX?
Is this a trap?
I’m not saying this to avoid the ire of my coworkers, but I sincerely enjoy all of them. I love to listen to people talk about music they’re excited about, especially when it’s from a world of music they’re already very knowledgeable about. Relentless curiosity is a beautiful thing, and every host here possesses it. I’m always discovering new music through their shows.
Who is your favorite Austin artist?
These questions are too hard. This is like Sophie’s Choice: ATX edition.
Among currently active bands it’s probably Sun June. I have a weakness for slow tempos, wistful lyrics, and melodies that feel like my heart is about to explode. Maybe it’s some kind of early-30s ennui, but when I listen to them I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the trashfire that was my 20s.
Gab Soong- Ad. Ventures Event Sales & Activation Manager
When were you an intern at KUTX?
I interned in 2018, the spring semester of my junior year at The University of Texas at Austin!
Where/What were you studying?
I bounced around a bit within the Moody College of Communication, and went from Journalism to RTF to Public Relations. I had just landed in PR when I started this internship.
What is your favorite memory of working at KUTX?
The obvious answer is all the Studio 1A sessions I got to attend, but really my favorite part was getting to sit in on staff meetings. It felt special and exciting to be a fly on the wall, and there was so much to learn from everyone in the room! That was my chance to get a peek into almost every aspect of the station, and it’s really stuck with me over the years.
What are you doing now?
I’ve been with Resound for the past two years, initially in marketing and then as the Creative Events Director. Margin Walker was another one of my college internships, so landing back at Resound felt very full circle. Recently I moved over to Resound’s sister company, Ad.Ventures, as the Event Sales and Activation Manager. In my new role, I manage the venue rentals at Parish, My Oh My, and Empire Control Room & Garage, plus place events at Mohawk, Antone’s, and The Far Out. I also manage sponsorships and activations at LEVITATION, Austin Psych Fest, SXSW, and various Resound events! I’m deeply grateful to still be living in Austin and contributing to the vibrant scene here.
Do you have a favorite show on KUTX?
I love Left of the Dial, and the collab KUTX did with KVRX, Way Left of the Dial! Plus I smile every time I turn the radio on in my car and hear my friend Ryan Wen’s voice.
Who is your favorite Austin artist?
This is such a hard question! If it’s measured by how many shows I’ve attended, I think TC Superstar has to be at the top. I always say they were the soundtrack of my college career, and I’ll love them forever! Other favorites are Little Mazarn, Dorio, Font, Muñe, Tombus, and Texas String Assembly – just to name a few! Austin has no shortage of incredible local talent.
Rey Castillo – Liv Events Project Manager at The Werd Company
When were you an intern at KUTX?
I was an intern during Fall 2018.
Where/What were you studying?
Major: communication and leadership
Minor: Business
What is your favorite memory of working at KUTX?
My favorite memory is being in the studio with Confucius and Fresh during their on-air taping of The Breaks. Their hot takes and opinions on the hip-hop headlines during that time was super entertaining and made it enjoyable to listen to.
What are you doing now?
I am currently a project manager for WERD productions in the live events sector.
Do you have a favorite show on KUTX?
The Breaks.
Who is your favorite Austin artist?
Chief Cleopatra
