KULV tests Spanish rock with show

by Jazmine Ponce
Staff Writer

Recently, music of the Latin vibe has heavily been accepted on mainstream radio formats, so it is no wonder that KULV, the Rock, has also dedicated an hour each week to "Rock En Español."

During the past three weeks, listeners of the University of La Verne radio station could tune into 107.9 FM on Fridays between 11 a.m. and noon to hear an eclectic group of artists ranging from Maná to Cafe Tacuba and La Ley.

Last year, KULV surveyed students asking about their musical preferences. The results showed that numerous students requested a Spanish rock format. With these results, KULV decided to dedicate the hour with the help of Production Director Enrique Gutiérrez, who has an extensive knowledge of Spanish rock music.

The acceptance of Spanish rock in the KULV format also relies on the school's population."There is a high percentage of the students who speak Spanish and enjoy Spanish alternative rock," said Gutiérrez.

"We looked at what Y-107 was doing. They're doing Spanish rock, and they have gotten a lot of good reviews from it," said junior Corey Brown, program director for KULV.

The program stays with the KULV alternative rock format, by playing just Spanish rock artists and not Spanish pop artists like Marc Anthony, Elvis Crespo or Enrique Inglesias.

Overall, the staff feels the response to the new hour has been welcomed by students.

"So far it has been really, really good. We have gotten more feedback then anticipated and haven't received any negative feedback," Brown said.

"I really enjoy the new hour, one of my favorite groups is Maná, and I often don't hear their songs on the radio," said junior diversified major Georgina Negrete.

To find the groups and songs students would like, KULV officials looked at college radio stations that play "Rock en Español" and based their own music programming on it.

The disc jockey also tries to include upcoming and local artists such as Pomona's Pastilla and Los Angeles' Hijos del Sol.

"I know most of the local bands. They are very good and often don't get the air play and support from the media that they deserve," said Gutiérrez.

The plan to expand the hour depends on the student's feedback and participation of Gutiérrez.

"For now it is one hour. I have been trying to get the Spanish rock since last year and now they finally accepted to have it for one hour and I think that is something positive," said Gutiérrez.

Listeners can request their favorite Spanish rock alternative songs and artists by calling the request line at extension 4777.