10 Questions with ... Freska Griarte

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started as a mobile DJ wanting to work in production. The first station I worked at was WILD 107.7 which is now WILD 94.9 KYLD in San Francisco. I got hired in their research department and worked my way around interning in every department that would let me. Eventually, I ended up in programming. My first on-air gig was at KIKI in Hawaii. I got my night show, AMD, and mix show coordinator stripes there. I returned to Wild 94.9 and dabbled in TV then got picked up to do mornings at KSFM in Sacramento. I couldn't stay away from San Francisco and have worked at KMVQ 99.7 NOW, Q102 KRBQ, KFOX Classic Rock, and I currently do MIDDAYS on 96.5 KOIT and Mornings on 102.9 KBLX. I also do radio imaging.

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first radio gig was very expensive ha! I racked up so many parking tickets. It was like 3 mins for every quarter or something - I just gave up. Everything I made at WILD went to parking meters, parking tickets or records. I just couldn't get enough though. I absolutely loved being in that building (55 Green Street). I felt at home there more than any other place outside of my home and high school band room. I loved being around all the equipment and music. It was electrifying to me. If you're talking about my first on-air gig as a jock that would have to be KIKI/Honolulu. It was definitely a grind. I learned to grow a thick skin and that only the strong survive in this business.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

What led me to a career in radio was my love for music. I grew up playing music. I had 10 years of piano lessons. I played the clarinet but fell in love with playing trombone and other brass instruments. I played in the Monterey Jazz Festival when I was 18 with the High School All Stars and played professionally for a little bit. Musicians just listen to music differently. We can pick a whole song apart and hear every instrument, beat, bars.... everything. RADIO couldn't have been any more satisfying to me.

3. The pandemic had listening patterns all messed around, in-office listening basically went out the window. Do you feel like midday listening has returned to 'normal?'

That darn pandemic!!! UGH! It hit the industry hard and with that being said I do think midday listening is definitely back with the listenership the market has.

4. You get to be on the radio in your hometown, what's that like for you?

Being on the air in the San Francisco Market is really a dream come true. It was nice for my parents to hear me on the air. It gave me a sense of accomplishment because I did NOT have the support of my parents in the beginning. When they heard me on the air for the first time on WILD after coming back from Hawaii they were elated. I love being on and keeping the Bay company while on their morning commute or at work. It still gives me butterflies. I am so proud to be from the Bay and I have always wanted people to feel the way I did when I was listening to Renel Brooks Moon when she was on KMEL back in the day. LOVE HER!

5. Who would you love to come in and plug in across from you and be a guest on the show?

I would love to have Angie Martinez on. She and I started radio around the same time. Back in the mid to late 90s Jen Norwood once told me that I reminded her of a West Coast Angie Martinez. I was honored when she said that. I was like wow, Angie, another female on air dj, is on the radio too all the way on the other side of the country and loves hip hop just like me. She always seemed like a very down to earth person. She has a great rapport with everyone and I hope to meet her someday.

6. You're very active in the community. What sort of organizations are you happy to be able to share your platform with?

I have had the honor of partnering with the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund and The Second Harvest Food Bank. When I was going through cancer treatment BCEF helped me with grants to help pay my bills so I could continue to take care of my daughters. During that time I was on food stamps and received food from The Second Harvest Food Bank. You don't know how happy I feel to give back to those organizations.

7. And oh by the way, you also co-host the morning show on sister KBLX. How do you and your partner Rudy make all that happen?

Rudy and I respect each other a great deal. It starts there. He is a great person and it helps that he is very easy to talk to and collaborate with. We both have equal passion for positivity and mindfulness in the studio. If your vibe sucks...DO NOT ENTER THE STUDIO! Oh! I can't forget to say that he cracks me up ALL THE TIME. Also, our producer Traci get's things done and helps us to see other points of view!! We all have our strengths. I thrive off of structure, discipline and communication. Rudy is very creative and has helped me to not be so rigid. Together we are all working hard and making each other better. We are all putting in work!!!

8. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?

There are so many but one that came to mind just now is when Wild 94.9 had a Bomb Concert and we were giving away tickets and backstage passes. We sold it on the air as the, "Big Ass Playa Pass." I had no idea that these passes were actually the size of a person's torso!! I was laughing so hard when we were all in the pit next to the stage with the winners who had on these Playa Passes the size of their bodies hanging on a lanyardl!!

9. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?

I loved listening to KMEL of the 80s and 90s. Their slogan at the time was, "The People's Station." I LOVED THEM. My favorite morning show of all time was their Morning Zoo. My absolute favorite jock of all time is Renel. She was amazing on and off the air. She is always willing to give you her time and attention. She makes you feel special.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

The first DJ's that really took me under their wing were Alan Oda and Lanai Tabura. Alan was my program director in Hawaii. He taught me to think bigger. He gave me opportunities to grow and so did Lanai. I would have to say though that the 2 individuals who have influenced me the most are Alan and my PD now, Brian Figula. Their work ethic AND the ability to manage their responsibilities and a staff with a vast array of personalities is really impressive. Alan was ALWAYS accessible and so is Fig no matter how busy he gets. I appreciate that.

The Bay Area is one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you could show a first time visitor around, what less-touristy place would you make sure that they went to?

Thanks to one of my besties Joey Fortman I would have to say "The Spit." Honestly, I have to ask her how to get there because she drives when we go there. It has a great view of the San Francisco skyline and there are hardly ever any people there!!