A sonic trip through dive bars, basements, late nights, and hangin' hard
Contact
Maria.Yates@kalw.org
Maria [muh-RY-uh] Yates was 10 years old the first time she stepped behind a radio mic. What began as a kid with a walkman making mixtapes off the radio and recording imaginary interviews with her favorite bands grew into an unshakeable fascination. Maria made her DJ debut on WCRD 90.3 at her alma mater, Ball State University. Maria began her Bay Area radio career at KALX Berkeley 90.7 FM in 2015. And finally, in 2022, joined not only the KALW DJ crew, but helped to launch a new addition to the KALW lineup – the Uncuffed Playlist from inside Solano State Prison.
Maria's love of music goes back perhaps even further than her love of radio. From violin to guitar, jazz trumpet to punk bass, Maria has strolled down the sonic lane of many a style, and her eclectic DJ style is testament to the journey. Alongside the dedicated DIY scene of the East Bay, Maria has curated shows and spaces that lift up the outsider and mix party-goers with discerning audiophiles.